Today’s NBA slate features a battle at the top of the Eastern Conference and one of the Western Conference’s big rivalries.
Philadelphia and Miami are two of the hottest teams in the NBA right now. They will meet in Miami tonight. The Sixers can cut the Heat’s lead to one game in the conference standings.
The game offers some value to bettors as does the rest of the schedule. Here are the top moneyline picks for Saturday, March 5, 2022.
San Antonio Spurs vs. Charlotte Hornets
Pick: SPURS +142
Both the Spurs and the Hornets are outstanding on offense but not so great on defense. The Hornets rank No. 1 in scoring and the Spurs are seventh. Defensively, San Antonio gives up the 27th -most points in the league with Charlotte right behind them in 28th.
The Hornets are just 5-13 ATS since Jan. 23 and 10-10 ATS at home. San Antonio, on the other hand, has cashed as a home underdog 58 percent of the time. Plus, they do well on shorter rest with an 11-6 ATS record in such situations.
The point is that San Antonio plays well on the road and can keep this game close enough to win. And they will.
Philadelphia 76ers vs. Miami Heat
Pick: SIXERS -102
It’s a showdown in Miami as the top two teams in the Eastern Conference meet. The 76ers have won eight of their last ten games to move into second place in the conference race.
Tonight, they take on a Heat team that they have already beaten on the road once this season. Philly won 109-98 in Miami on Jan. 15 and now the Sixers are a much different team. With James Harden in the lineup, Philadelphia’s offense is outstanding.
Over their last five games, all wins, Philly is averaging 125.8 points a game. Miami’s defense is good, but slowing down Harden, Joel Embiid, and Tobias Harris isn’t going to happen.
The Sixers are also 12-2 SU in their last 14 road games. Philly gets another road win in Miami.
Golden State Warriors vs. LA Lakers
Warriors vs. Lakers Prediction
Pick: LAKERS +220
Both Golden State and Los Angeles are in desperate need of a win. The Warriors have just two wins in their last nine games and have lost three straight. The Lakers have lost four straight and eight of ten.
The Lakers have had trouble scoring points. Golden State is giving up a ton. The Warriors have given up 111 points or more in seven of their last nine games.
Los Angeles continues to be without Anthony Davis, but LeBron James will play. For Golden State, Draymond Green is still out and Andre Iguodala won’t play either.
The two teams just played on Feb. 12. The Lakers led by six with 3:47 to play and by one with 1:54 to go. Stephen Curry’s layup with 46 seconds left proved to be the difference in a 117-115 Warriors win.
The Lakers are desperate and at home where they do have a winning record. James will figure out a way to pull the upset.
