NBA Best Bets Today, 3/6: Picks, Predictions & Player Props - Thursday

It was not our best performance in yesterday’s NBA predictions, but the logic was correct. Zach Edey cleared his rebounding prop late in the fourth quarter, just getting off the hook. The Denver Nuggets did cover the spread, but it was looking like they weren’t going to win the match.
Christian Braun also scored 15 points as we predicted, and he also earned 7 assists. The prediction needed rebounds; thus, the +575 Same Game Parlay was unsuccessful. Tyler Herro was a late scratch, and his ticket was voided back to the bankroll. Upward and onward in the quest for a profit from our NBA best bets today.
NBA Picks, Predictions & Best Bets Today, 3/6
There are only five games today, but two of them are nationally televised matches on TNT. One of them is the game of the night, the New York Knicks vs. Los Angeles Lakers.
For an in-depth look at that match, check out my Knicks vs. Lakers predictions article. The first of our NBA best bets today comes from the Indiana Pacers vs. Atlanta Hawks match.
Pacers vs. Hawks Prediction: Indiana -3 (-112 on DraftKings) *BET OF THE NIGHT
The Indiana Pacers are playing extremely well since the All-Star break and are in a battle for fourth place in the Eastern Conference. The Atlanta Hawks are currently in ninth of the East, but only 1.5 games back from the seventh place Miami Heat. The spread reflects the fact that this should be a good game.
Tyrese Haliburton has been at the center of this great turnaround and earned a double-double in almost every game since the All-Star break. Trae Young is a 2025 All-Star point guard, but he will not be able to defend Haliburton. Haliburton will be able to defend Young, and he has a steal in eight consecutive games. He is listed as questionable, but the expectation is for him to play.
Pascal Siakam, Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith, and Myles Turner are in full health and a great starting lineup for Indiana. Indiana and Atlanta both average slightly over 116 points per game, but Indiana allows four less points per game (115.1-119.7) with better defense. The Pacers last four wins have been by 13 or more, and they have won by four or more in seven consecutive wins.
Put a unit for them to cover a low spread at State Farm Arena. If you are a new customer to DraftKings, make sure to take advantage of Fantasy Alarm’s exclusive promotional code.
Bulls vs. Magic Prediction: Orlando -2.5, Carter Jr. 10+ Rebounds, Banchero 15+ Points (+155 SPG on Bet365 [BOOSTED])
Bet365 is offering a 30% boost for any 3+ Same Game Parlay (SGP) made on an NBA wager. This is today’s threefold SGP, and it takes place in the Chicago Bulls versus Orlando Magic match.
This is a more cautious approach to the parlay and focuses on two players with a teased down spread. Orlando are currently -7.0 favorites in this match but teasing it down to -2.5 allows for late game free throws to cover for Orlando, Also the possibility of Chicago playing better than anticipated.
Wendell Carter has been a consistently bet on player for NBA best bets. He only played 24 minutes in the Magic’s most recent match and should see an uptick in minutes tonight. His line is set at 9.5 and hasn’t been teased for this SGP. This is the only risk of the parlay, and should he cover his original prop line, this bet will likely be successful.
Nikola Vucevic, starting center for the Bulls, is out once again, and that should open up more opportunities for Carter Jr. He has ten or more rebounds in four of his last eight games, and nine in two more. The Bulls allow the second most rebounds per game to opposing teams (55.1) and allowed 60.0 in their most recent. Carter Jr. should have no issues earning double digit rebounds.
Paolo Banchero’s 15+ points was essentially added to get the boost for this wager. He is looking 100% healthy since the All-Star break and has scored 17 or more points in each of his last ten matches. He is averaging 24.2 points per game and earning 15 should be no issue against the Bulls. Chicago allows the most points per game in the Association, 120.7. This could have been teased up, but the goal was to get an obtainable SGP and win the parlay.
The max offer for the boosted wager is $30, and it returns $94.35, should a bettor like to add more they can put in another ticket to get the wager amount up to a unit. If you are a new customer to Bet365 make sure to take advantage of the promotional offer below.
Best NBA Prop Bets & Other Picks Today, 3/6
With five games and several players listed as questionable player props seem to come to game time decisions.
With that in mind, the last of our NBA best bets today comes from a player who has been dependable, Zion Williamson.
Rockets vs. Pelicans Prediction: Zion Williamson U24.5 Points (-105 on DraftKings)
Yes, the previous line was not for amusement, Zion Williamson has been dependable lately. He has played eight of the New Orleans Pelicans last ten matches and is averaging 28.2 minutes per game. Those are great numbers for Williamson who has played over 29 games in just two seasons. He’s on pace to play over 30 this year, but his scoring is inconsistent.
He has scored under 24.5 points in three of his last five matches and is playing against a tough Houston Rockets team desperately trying to stop its losing streak. Williamson’s average is 24.2 points per game, and the Rockets allow just 109.4 points per game and have a great defensive front court in Dillon Brooks and Alperen Sengun. It is almost as if he has one good offensive game and one poor one. This could be a low performance game for Williamson after his 37-point performance against the Lakers.
The toughest game in a long road stretch is the first home game after, and that is just what the Pelicans and Williamson are up against. They played four road games in a seven day stretch and today are hosting Houston at the Smoothie King Center. The Rockets are falling further and further in the Western Conference Rankings and are currently on a three-game losing streak.
The Golden State Warriors have won eight of their last ten and are only 3.0 games behind the Rockets. Houston is also only 3.0 games ahead of the seventh seed Minnesota Timberwolves. That would put them in the play-in, something they will look to avoid. Look for Houston to play tough defense this entire match, and force Williamson away from his left hand. Put a unit on them keeping him under 25 points tonight.
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Bet Smart, Be Lucky - Iggy
*All odds accurate at time of writing and NBA best bets today to be placed at 1 unit unless specified otherwise
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