NBA Daily Best Bets for Tuesday, March 10
Summary
Tonight’s NBA schedule features four key matchups with betting insights. The Houston Rockets, strong at home, are favored by 4 points against a shorthanded Toronto Raptors team. The Boston Celtics visit the San Antonio Spurs in a potential defensive battle, with the prediction favoring the total points staying under 222.
Later, the Golden State Warriors, expecting key returns, are 6.5-point favorites over the struggling Chicago Bulls. Finally, the Minnesota Timberwolves are slight favorites against the Los Angeles Lakers, who are playing well without LeBron James; the prediction is for a low-scoring game under 234 total points.
Toronto Raptors vs Houston Rockets 8:00 p.m. EST
| Spread | ML | Total | |
| Raptors | +4 (-110) | +165 | O216 (-110) |
| Rockets | -4 (-110) | -190 | U216 (-110) |
Toronto Raptors (36-27)
Toronto will be without center Jakob Poeltl as he deals with an illness as the Raptors travel to Houston. Forwards Collin Murray-Boyles (thumb sprain) and Traye Jackson-Davis (finger dislocation) will also sit this one out. The Raptors are 5-5 in the last ten after beating Dallas 122-92 on Sunday night,
Houston Rockets (39-24)
The Rockets are one of the better teams at home going 21-8. Houston has already beaten Toronto 139-121 back in October. Kevin Durant leads this team in scoring, averaging 26.1 PPG while Alperen Sengun leads Houston in rebounds (9) and assists (6.1). Â
Recent Betting Trends
Toronto is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games.
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Toronto’s last 10 games.
Houston is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games.
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Houston’s last 8 games.
Prediction
The Raptors have been shorthanded recently and the team seems to be battling the bug as Brandon Ingram played just 31 minutes vs Dallas. The Rockets have won three straight vs. Toronto and should continue their winning ways at home. BEST BET: Rockets -4
Boston Celtics vs San Antonio Spurs 8:00 p.m. EST
| Spread | ML | Total | |
| Celtics | +3 (-110) | +125 | O222 (-110) |
| Spurs | -3 (-110) | -145 | U222 (-110) |
Boston Celtics (36-27)
Since the return of Jayson Tatum, the Celtics have won two straight by double-digits. Boston is 8-2 in the last ten and are No. 1 in the NBA allowing 106.9 PPG. The Celtics remain two games back of the Pistons for first in the East. Boston lost to San Antonio earlier this year, but with Tatum back, they’ll be tough on the road.
San Antonio Spurs (39-24)
The Spurs continue to roll winning the last four and have just one last in the last 16 games.
Victor Wembanyama scored 29 points, De’Aaron Fox had 20 points and 10 assists while Stephon Castle added 23 points as San Antonio beat Houston 145-120 Sunday. The Spurs are 24-6 at home, tied for the fewest losses at home.
Recent Betting Trends
Boston is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games.
The Celtics are 5-11 ATS in the last 16 games vs San Antonio.
San Antonio is 12-4 ATS in its last 16 games.
The Spurs are 8-0 SU in its last 8 games at home.
Prediction
It’s the top scoring defense against No. 7. This could be a preview to the NBA Finals and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see a more playoff-style game, as the defenses will look to slow down the pace. BEST BET: UNDER 222
Chicago Bulls vs Golden State Warriors 10:00 p.m. EST
| Spread | ML | Total | |
| Bulls | +6.5 (-110) | +192 | O229 (-110) |
| Warriors | -6.5 (-110) | -290 | U229 (-110) |
Chicago Bulls (26-38)
The Bulls have struggled of late going 2-8 in the last ten and sit well below the playoff bar. Chicago ranks as the sixth-worst defense, allowing 119.8 PPG while scoring just 115.4. Josh Giddy leads the team with 17.6 PPG and 8.5 assists while Nikola Vucevic averages 9 rebounds per game.
Golden State Warriors (32-31)
The Warriors lost two straight, including Monday, 119-116 to the Jazz but Golden State was without Stephen Curry and several other rotation regulars. Based on the one line, it appears many should return Tuesday as the Warriors look to get back on track.  Â
Recent Betting Trends
Chicago is 29-35 ATS this season and 12-18 ATS on the road.
The Warriors are 15-17 ATS at home.
The Bulls are 29-35 on the OVER this season.
Golden State is 38-26 (59.4%) on the OVER, 2nd best overall.
Prediction
The Bulls have been terrible of late and with Curry and others expected back, the Warriors should handle business at home despite playing on back-to-back nights.
BEST BET: Warriors -6.5
Minnesota Timberwolves vs Los Angeles Lakers 11:00 p.m. EST
| Spread | ML | Total | |
| T-wolves | -2.5 (-110) | -140 | O234 (-110) |
| Lakers | +2.5 (-110) | +120 | U234 (-110) |
Minnesota Timberwolves (40-24)
The Timberwolves lost Saturday to the Magic 119-92 but prior to that had won 8 of the previous 9 games. Anthony Edwards leads the team in scoring with 29.6 PPG, good enough for 3rd in the NBA and is averaging more than 31 PPG in the last 8.
Los Angeles Lakers (29-25)
LeBron James (right hip contusion and left foot) is expected to miss his third straight game. LA is 9-2 without James in the lineup. Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves accounted for almost 52% (123 total points) in the Lakers’ last two victories.
Recent Betting Trends
Minnesota is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games.
The Timberwolves are 6-1 SU in the last 7 road games.
LA Lakers is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games.
LA has gone UNDER in 5 of the last six home games.
Prediction
The Timberwolves are slight favorites but the Lakers have played well with LeBron. Expect a tight game, without either team going on big runs, rather playing better defensively. With that in mind, points will come at a premium. BEST BET: UNDER 234
