NBA Gambling Picks For Tuesday 3/25

As we try and fill the void lack of madness the NCAA tournament has provided, going to scratch the gambling itch with some NBA plays tonight, as I prepare for the Sweet 16 to tip off this Thursday.

Orlando Magic-4.5 (-110)

The Magic are coming off a good win vs. the Lakers and I'm not worried about the back-to-back spot as the Hornets have been a dumpster fire for the better part of the month. The Magic's defensive ability will be able to limit anything the Hornets will throw their way. I also like the matchup advantage with Banchero and Wagner against anyone the Hornets can throw at the pair defensively. Lay the points with the Magic.

Paolo Banchero Over 28.5 points (-115)

Paolo Banchero is averaging 25.5 ppg in 38 appearances. His numbers are absolutely wild in March, averaging 30 points across 11 games. Banchero has cashed the Over in points in three straight and in five of his last six outings, registering 30+ in all of them. He’s faced a few solid opponents during that span as well, including the Lakers, Cavaliers, and Timberwolves. Enter the Charlotte Hornets. They’re already eliminated from Play-In contention and rank 24th in defensive rating. While Banchero scored just 24 against them earlier in the campaign, Charlotte doesn’t exactly have anything left to play for, while Orlando does.

Klay Thompson Under 14.5 points (-120)

Klay Thompson scored 26 points in 36 minutes two weeks ago on the second night of a back-to-back, and that may have been costly. That season-high in minutes then led to a five-game stretch where he has averaged less than 29 minutes and only 13.2 points. He has fallen short of this prop in three of those five games, one exception coming against the laughable 76ers. Jason Kidd should have learned his lesson, and even if he didn’t, it may be too late. Thompson should play fewer minutes tonight, scoring even fewer points against the No. 9 defensive rating since the All-Star Break.

Jimmy Butler o20.5 points (-120)

Jimmy Butler is averaging 17.6 points, 6.5 assists, and 6.1 rebounds with the Warriors. He’s also cashed the Over in points in three of his last five appearances, scoring 25, 24, and 23 points in those games. Steph Curry could miss another game due to a tailbone injury, and if he does, that means a bigger workload for Butler. He's also playing his former team, the Miami Heat.

Oklahoma City/Sacremento o232.5 (-110)

Sacramento owns the seventh-worst defense in the NBA this season, and its issues have been most glaring at the rim and the 3-point arc, where it has allowed a higher percentage of looks to fall than any other team. The Kings are giving up a ridiculous 75.1% field goal percentage at the rim, which in chorus with a 42.5% opposing 3-point percentage has created an unmitigated disaster. The Oklahoma City Thunder has focused its offense around jumpers this month, shooting from the mid-range with the ninth-highest frequency and sitting in the middle of the league when it comes to the 3-point arc. The Thunder continue to devastate on this end, regardless of where they shoot, and enter this one as the top rim-scoring team in the league in March while ranking fourth in outside shooting.