NBA Best Bets: Thursday, March 24th

There are five NBA games on Thursday night, starting off north of the border with the Raptors hosting the Cavaliers. We’ve picked our two best wagers from Thursday’s slate below.

NBA Best Bets Thursday, March 24th

• Toronto Raptors vs Cleveland Cavaliers: Raptors to Win at 1.62
• New Orleans Pelicans vs Chicago Bulls: Pelicans to Win at 2.00

Odds as at 1 pm March 24th 2022. Odds may now differ.

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Toronto Raptors vs Cleveland Cavaliers Best Bet

Thu, Mar 24. 23:30 (UK)

There’s a lot at stake here. Toronto is just one back of the Cavaliers in the loss column as both teams battle to avoid the play-in tournament. The Raptors have lost two of three and were beaten by Cleveland on March 6th, but they are 8-5 over their last 13.

The Cavs have slumped without Jarrett Allen. They are 6-8 since the All-Star break with a -3.3 net rating and the 24th-ranked defence. Rajon Rondo, Dean Wade and Collin Sexton are also sidelined, which contributes to Cleveland being priced as three-point underdogs at most bookies.

Toronto has its own health concerns. Fred VanVleet has missed two of the last six games and has slumped amid a niggling knee issue. Gary Trent Jr and OG Anunoby are both listed as questionable for this one. The Raps have shown they can pick up wins even when weakened, though, including a recent victory over the Sixers with VanVleet and Anunoby out.

Owning a 25-13 record as favourite straight up and 22-16 against the spread, the Raptors have excelled in matchups like this. Cleveland has been the NBA’s great overachievers this season, with the third-best record against the spread, but the hit to their defence in Allen’s absence has left them asking too much of an offence which is ultimately limited. Darius Garland can only do so much.

The Cavs have won the three previous matchups this season, but not much can be read into those games given the lineups that Toronto played in two of the three. The Raps are a better two-way team than the Cavs right now, and while it should be a tight game, they will have enough to clock a vital win.

• Selection: Raptors to Win
• Best Odds: 1.62 (Unibet)
• Stake: 8/10

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New Orleans Pelicans vs Chicago Bulls Best Bet

Fri, Mar 25. 00:00 (UK)

On a 4-9 run since the break, the Chicago Bulls are at risk of slipping out of the top six. New Orleans, meanwhile, has its eyes on the Lakers for the nine spot in the Western Conference.

Bookies cannot split these two teams. Chicago is generally favoured by one or 1.5 points, but the moneyline prices are very similar across the board. Bet365 and William Hill represent the best value on the Pels with a price of Evens to win the game.

New Orleans has won three of five but suffered a tight loss to the Charlotte Hornets on Monday. Chicago was blown out by the Bucks on Tuesday – their -7.3 net rating since All-Star is the fourth-worst in the NBA. In contrast, the Pelicans are +7.2 over that period, a mark that’s only bettered by the Celtics, Timberwolves, Suns and Grizzlies.

Injuries have hit the Bulls hard. Alex Caruso has returned, aiding their perimeter defence against CJ McCollum. DeMar DeRozan is questionable, however, while Lonzo Ball has suffered a setback and Zach LaVine continues to appear on the injury report with a knee complaint.

The Pels remain without Zion Williamson, Larry Nance Jr and Kira Lewis Jr. Brandon Ingram is questionable, having not played since March 6th.

While New Orleans is a much less dangerous opponent without Ingram or Williamson, they represent good value to win this one. The potential absence of DeRozan makes it a surprise that the Pels aren’t favoured here. These teams are trending in different directions – we feel confident backing McCollum and co.

• Selection: Pelicans to Win
• Best Odds: 2.00 (Bet365)
• Stake: 9/10

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