Welcome to the weekend everyone. Yesterday did not pan out as planned as Clint Capela and the Atlanta Hawks were outscored in the second half by the Utah Jazz. In addition to that, Jamal Murray only had four first half points and could not accumulate the needed 21 points. However, CJ McCollum safely came in under his point line, and it kept the damage to a minimum. 

Today there are nine games in the NBA, and today’s bets focus on three different styles of bets; a same game parlay, a straight bet, and a player proposition. All three feature games with one team currently in the playoffs, against one team currently out of the playoffs. The player prop comes from the Portland Trail Blazers at New Orleans Pelicans who are playing in back-to-back games. A familiar face makes another appearance in the 7:00 PM ET Western Conference showdown.  The straight bet comes at the expense of another team playing in back-to-back games. The Utah Jazz are playing two nights in a row, and host the best defensive team in the league, the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Bet of the Night is a same game parlay in the Eastern Conference battle of the Brooklyn Nets at Indiana Pacers.

 

BET OF THE NIGHT MARCH 16TH

SAME GAME PARLAY: INDIANA PACERS MONEYLINE & PASCAL SIAKAM 8+ REBOUNDS (+115 BetMGM)

The Indiana Pacers are in sixth place in the Eastern Conference… but only by 0.5 games. The Brooklyn Nets are in 11th place by three games but still can make a push for the play-in. The Pacers do not have any games to give if they look to avoid the play-in and earn a little more rest. They are massive favorites with almost -400 odds on the moneyline, and a spread of -8.5 on most sportsbooks. 

Pascal Siakam has been a wonderful addition to the Indiana Pacers, and Head Coach Rick Carlisle is getting the best out of him. Siakam has at least eight rebounds in four of his last six games, is averaging 7.5 rebounds per game this month, and has a favorable matchup against the Brooklyn Nets today. The Nets allow the 10th-most rebounds per game to opposing teams with 52.3 per game. They allow the fifth-most rebounds to opposing forwards and Siakam has been aggressive on the glass with two double-doubles this month. 

The Pacers should win this game at home with better talent and coaching. Siakam’s rebounding line is set at 7.5 with -140 odds on MGM as well as other books. This bet simply turns that prop into a positive line by adding the moneyline for better odds. Trust the former New Mexico State star to play with effort in a game the Pacers must win in order to remain out of the play-in. 

STRAIGHT BET MARCH 16TH

MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES AT UTAH JAZZ - UNDER 224 POINTS (-108 DraftKings Sportsbook)

The Minnesota Timberwolves bring the number one defense in the NBA to the Utah Jazz and the worst ranked defense in the Western Conference. The Timberwolves allow 106.7 points per game, while the Jazz allow 120.8. Minnesota is without Karl-Anthony Towns and could be without Rudy Gobert as he exited their last game early and is questionable.

Although Gobert gets most of the attention for the Timberwolves league leading defense, there are others that are great as well. Jaden McDaniels and Anthony Edwards are better than average defenders. They do not get recognition as good perimeter defenders, and for Edwards. it is understandable as he is one of the most electrifying offensive players in the league. But those two shut down the perimeter players and McDaniels can defend against both guards and forwards which is rare in this league. 

Utah is playing in back-to-back games and could experience an off night offensively. As of now none of the players are listed as in or out, but an updated report will be available this afternoon. Their backcourt should play and they have several field goal attempts per game. If they are both making them from behind the arc, it could be a high scoring game. Should they experience a tough defense and tired legs they will score less than their average.

The referee whistles haven't been used as much since the All-Star break. Points are down across the league, and letting a team be physical favors a tough defensive team who wants to control the game with time management. Trust the defense to keep it low scoring tonight.

PLAYER PROP MARCH 16TH

CJ McCOLLUM UNDER 15.5 POINTS (-120 BetMGM)

This was the lone successful bet yesterday, and Fantasy Alarm NBA Best Bets is back to it again tonight. CJ McCollum and the New Orleans Pelicans are playing in back-to-back games after beating the Los Angeles Clippers. Tonight they host the Portland Trail Blazers, who drafted McCollum in 2013.

McCollum has been in a scoring slump lately, and has scored more than 15.5 points only once this month. Part of it is the great play of teammates Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson. CJ McCollum has not needed to score several points as the New Orleans Pelicans are a top ten offense and defense. This allows him to be more of a manager for the Pelicans than a facilitator. 

The revenge narrative could be true but he has played over 30 minutes only once this month. With it being the second of back-to-back games, if it is a blow-out by the fourth quarter he could play even less minutes. It was successful yesterday and it has a great opportunity to be successful again. Another unit on the under tonight.

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