A profitable day on four bets yesterday, as John Collins came through big time with the double unit win. Today the lines are extremely tight, but not to worry as Fantasy Alarm NBA Best Bets has found three great wagers. Today is the sampler platter as there is a parlay, straight bet, and a player prop. 

There are nine total games today, two on TNT, but none of my NBA best bets today are on the TNT games. Instead, today looks at the Orlando Magic at Charlotte Hornets and Boston Celtics at Cleveland Cavaliers, both of which begin at 7:00 PM ET. We take two straight bets to combine for a parlay with good odds. 

 

A prop bet emerges from the Indiana Pacers at Dallas Mavericks game, as Rick Carlisle returns to the American Airlines Center. There is also a straight bet in the Philadelphia 76ers at Brooklyn Nets match. In fact, it is my NBA best bets ‘Bet of the Night’. 

Expert NBA Best Bet & Pick Today, 3/5

76ers vs. Nets Prediction: Philadelphia -1.5 (-151 on FanDuel)

The Philadelphia 76ers have been playing surprisingly well lately winning three of their last five games. The Brooklyn Nets are coming off of a loss and playing the second of back-to-back games. 

The Eastern Conference rankings four through nine are separated by 2.5 games. That is five teams competing for a first-round home court advantage or being eliminated in the play-in or playing the Boston Celtics in the first round. Neither of those last scenarios are desired by a franchise. 

Enter the Philadelphia 76ers who are playing better than expected and currently fifth in the Eastern Conference. The 76ers are only half a game away from fourth, and only two games ahead of eight place. They have no games to spare, and there are rumors that Joel Embiid could be back at the end of the month. 

If Embiid comes back and is even playing at 80-90% of his ability the 76ers are a new team. As for this game, they score five points more per game, have a point differential +5.5 better than the Nets, and are playing the Nets on the second of back-to-back games. This strategy worked well when taking the under on the highest spread yesterday. 

Today, we take the over on the lowest spread at -2.5. If Tobias Harris plays like he has the past two games, the 76ers will cover this bet easily. The Nets are streaky at best and the 76ers should win easily tonight.

 

NBA Prop Bets for Today, 3/5

Pascal Siakam Player Props: Over 21.5 Points (-125 on DraftKings)

Pascal Siakam has become an important player for the Indiana Pacers. He only has one game under twenty-nine minutes in his last nine games. Tonight, the Pacers play the Dallas Mavericks who allow 118.0 points per game, and Pascal Siakam will be asked to score often to keep pace with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. Siakam will have an offensive advantage over PJ Washington and Josh Green that he should utilize. 

The Pacers have a 123.3 points per game average, the most in the league. The Mavericks have one of the worst defenses in the league, and tonight could be a ‘forget the defense and ball’ kind of night. There are several routes for Siakam to obtain his average tonight against the Dallas Mavericks. Put the unit with confidence.

 

NBA Parlay Today, March 5th

Orlando Magic Money Line + Boston Celtics Money Line (-151 on FanDuel)

The Boston Celtics are the hottest team in the Association with eleven wins in a row. They are having one of the most dominant regular seasons in their franchise's storied history. The Cleveland Cavaliers will be without their best player Donovan Mitchell and it could be too difficult of a task for the Cavaliers who haven’t played well since the All-Star break. 

The Orlando Magic have won three in a row and eight of their last ten. They are a surging Eastern Conference team currently in sixth place and only one game down from fourth place. The Magic are on the road against a team that has lost four in a row and twenty-two at home. The Magic have a real opportunity to be the third ranked team in the Eastern Conference playoffs if they keep up this pace.

Both of these teams are in a rhythm and playing against teams they are expected to blow out. The parlayed money lines come in at great odds for teams expected to win. One unit is suggested.

 

NBA Player Props Today, 3/5: Bonus Bet

Darius Garland Player Props: First Three Made (+600 on DraftKings) *0.5 UNIT

Bet & Get $1 Per Three Made in the Game ($25 Minimum)

DraftKings has a promotion titled ‘THREESDAY’. Opt in and place a bet on Darius Garland to make the first three on his home court. Regardless of if the bet is successful, this bet earns $1 for every three made in the game. Boston leads the league in threes made with 16.4 per game, and Cleveland is seventh with 13.6 per game. That is an average of thirty per game and if they maintain their average, it will be a $30 bonus. 

Darius Garland is the selection for a few reasons. He has attempted thirty four three-point attempts in his last three games. He has made twenty of those attempts. Donovan Mitchell is out, and Darius Garland plays much more fluidly as the primary ball handler. He is playing on his court, Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse. A first field goal of any is a high-risk gamble, and a half unit is suggested.

The bonus money from this bet will be used for the bonus bet tomorrow. 

Thanks for reading. Remember to check out Fantasy Alarm for all your fantasy and betting needs across multiple sports. 

Bet Smart, Be Lucky - Iggy

*All Bets to be placed at 1 unit unless specified otherwise