Tuesday night's NBA slate features nine games to choose from. However, the most interesting game on the slate might be the Western Conference showdown between the Dallas Mavericks and Golden State Warriors. Expect plenty of points in this one as the Mavericks and Warriors both rank among the top half of the league in points scored per 100 possessions and this game has the highest total on the slate at ESPN BET (232.5).
My first betting recommendation comes from this game, so let's get started.
Luka Doncic over 53.5 points, rebounds, and assists.
While this line is high, the Mavericks have won 11 of their past 12 games and Doncic has averaged 31.7 points, 10.0 rebounds and 10.0 assists per game over that span. Tuesday night's game against the Warriors holds significant weight as Dallas is currently the fifth seed in the West and has their sights are set on the No. 4 seed. Facing the Warriors on the road is not an easy task, but I envision the Mavericks leaning heavily on Doncic as he has a 36.0% usage rate on the road this season.
Immanuel Quickley over 10.5 assists and rebounds.
The Raptors are double-digit underdogs against the Lakers, but don't let that deter you from considering Quickley tonight. He has surpassed 10.5 assists and rebounds in eight of his past 10 games, while averaging 36.2 minutes per game. He has also averaged 14.4 potential assists and 9.0 rebound chances per game over that span. Expect Quickley to go off facing a Lakers team that rank 22nd in rebounds allowed and 19th in assists allowed per game to point guards.
Donovan Mitchell over 4.5 assists.
Despite the Cavaliers being heavily favored against the Jazz and the game having a low total of only 216.5 points, Mitchell is still positioned for success. He has exceeded this line in 17 out of his past 20 games, averaging 11.8 potential assists per game over that span.
Nikola Jokic over 25.5 points.
The Nuggets have lost two straight home games. Jamal Murray is also still dealing with inflammation in his right knee, which positions Jokic to shoulder a bit more of the load. He has cleared this line in six of his past 10 games and twice against the Spurs this season. While San Antonio has played well in March, the team still ranks 22nd in points allowed per 100 possessions.
Jimmy Butler over 19.5 points.
This game carries significant weight in the Eastern Conference playoff picture. The Heat should be motivated to win at home after losing twice to the Knicks already this season. Although Butler has scored under 19.5 points in each of his past two games, those games were both blowouts. I have a suspicion we'll see "Jimmy Buckets" tonight, especially since he has cleared this line in eight of his past 11 games against New York.
Projections and injury reports
Odds provided by ESPN BET. Basketball Power Index by ESPN Analytics. Injury aggregation by Rotowire.com.
Los Angeles Lakers at Toronto Raptors
7 p.m. Scotiabank Arena, Toronto
Records (Against the Spread)
Lakers: 42-33 (35-40-0)
Raptors: 23-51 (32-42-0)
Line: Lakers (-12.5) Total: 232.5
Money Line: Lakers (-900), Raptors (+550)
BPI Projection: Lakers by 8, straight up 76%, 234.2 total points.
Injury Report:
Lakers: Anthony Davis, (GTD - Knee); Jaxson Hayes, (GTD - Calf); LeBron James, (GTD - Ankle); Cam Reddish, (OUT - Personal); Gabe Vincent, (OUT - Knee); Jarred Vanderbilt, (OUT - Foot); Christian Wood, (OUT - Knee); Jalen Hood-Schifino, (OUT - Back)
Raptors: Immanuel Quickley, (GTD - Personal); RJ Barrett, (GTD - Personal); D.J. Carton, (OUT - Ankle); Gary Trent Jr., (OUT - Rest); Ochai Agbaji, (OUT - Hip); Jakob Poeltl, (OUT - Finger); Scottie Barnes, (OUT - Hand); Chris Boucher, (OUT - Knee); Jontay Porter, (OUT - Personal)
Milwaukee Bucks at Washington Wizards
7 p.m. Capital One Arena, Washington, D.C.
Records (Against the Spread)
Bucks: 47-27 (33-41-0)
Wizards: 14-61 (33-40-2)
Line: Bucks (-12.5) Total: 228.5
Money Line: Bucks (-1000), Wizards (+600)
BPI Projection: Bucks by 8, straight up 76%, 233.2 total points.
Injury Report:
Bucks: Giannis Antetokounmpo, (GTD - Hamstring); Khris Middleton, (GTD - Ankle); MarJon Beauchamp, (GTD - Back); Patrick Beverley, (GTD - Wrist); Damian Lillard, (OUT - Groin)
Wizards: Jared Butler, (GTD - Ankle); Richaun Holmes, (GTD - Toe); Kyle Kuzma, (OUT - Heel); Landry Shamet, (OUT - Calf); Tyus Jones, (OUT - Back); Bilal Coulibaly, (OUT - Wrist); Isaiah Livers, (OUT - Hip)
Oklahoma City Thunder at Philadelphia 76ers
7:30 p.m. Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia
Records (Against the Spread)
Thunder: 52-22 (42-31-1)
76ers: 40-35 (41-34-0)
Line: Thunder (-5.5) Total: 223.5
Money Line: Thunder (-200), 76ers (+170)
BPI Projection: Thunder by 4.9, straight up 67%, 232.4 total points.
Injury Report:
Thunder: Jalen Williams, (GTD - Ankle); Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, (GTD - Quadriceps)
76ers: Tyrese Maxey, (GTD - Hip); Joel Embiid, (OUT - Knee); Robert Covington, (OUT - Knee); De'Anthony Melton, (OUT - Back)
New York Knicks at Miami Heat
7:30 p.m. Kaseya Center, Miami
Records (Against the Spread)
Knicks: 44-30 (40-33-1)
Heat: 41-33 (35-37-2)
Line: Heat (-2.5) Total: 207.5
Money Line: Knicks (+125), Heat (-145)
BPI Projection: Heat by 1.1, straight up 54%, 222.2 total points.
Injury Report:
Knicks: Duane Washington Jr., (GTD - Knee); Mitchell Robinson, (GTD - Ankle); OG Anunoby, (OUT - Elbow); Julius Randle, (OUT - Shoulder)
Heat: Caleb Martin, (GTD - Ankle); Duncan Robinson, (GTD - Back); Nikola Jovic, (GTD - Knee); Terry Rozier, (GTD - Knee); Tyler Herro, (OUT - Foot); Josh Richardson, (OUT - Shoulder)
Houston Rockets at Minnesota Timberwolves
8 p.m. Target Center, Minneapolis
Records (Against the Spread)
Rockets: 38-36 (41-31-2)
Timberwolves: 51-23 (38-33-3)
Line: Timberwolves (-7.5) Total: 215.5
Money Line: Rockets (+240), Timberwolves (-290)
BPI Projection: Timberwolves by 5.9, straight up 70%, 224.3 total points.
Injury Report:
Rockets: Alperen Sengun, (OUT - Ankle); Steven Adams, (OUT - Knee); Tari Eason, (OUT - Lower Leg)
Timberwolves: Jaylen Clark, (OUT - Achilles); Karl-Anthony Towns, (OUT - Knee)
San Antonio Spurs at Denver Nuggets
9 p.m. Ball Arena, Denver
Records (Against the Spread)
Spurs: 18-57 (38-36-1)
Nuggets: 52-23 (34-39-2)
Line: Nuggets (-15.5) Total: 223.5
Money Line: Spurs (+1000), Nuggets (-2000)
BPI Projection: Nuggets by 13, straight up 88%, 232.2 total points.
Injury Report:
Spurs: Dominick Barlow, (OUT - Knee); Keldon Johnson, (OUT - Foot); Charles Bassey, (OUT - Knee); Devin Vassell, (OUT - Foot); Jeremy Sochan, (OUT - Ankle)
Nuggets: Aaron Gordon, (GTD - Foot); Jamal Murray, (GTD - Knee); Nikola Jokic, (GTD - Hip); Zeke Nnaji, (OUT - Thigh); Vlatko Cancar, (OUT - Knee)
Cleveland Cavaliers at Utah Jazz
9 p.m. Delta Center, Salt Lake City
Records (Against the Spread)
Cavaliers: 45-30 (34-40-1)
Jazz: 29-46 (38-37-0)
Line: Cavaliers (-12.5) Total: 218.5
Money Line: Cavaliers (-900), Jazz (+550)
BPI Projection: Cavaliers by 8.7, straight up 78%, 230.8 total points.
Injury Report:
Cavaliers: Craig Porter, (OUT - Illness); Isaac Okoro, (OUT - Toe); Ty Jerome, (OUT - Ankle); Dean Wade, (OUT - Knee)
Jazz: John Collins, (OUT - Back); Jordan Clarkson, (OUT - Back); Lauri Markkanen, (OUT - Shoulder)
LA Clippers at Sacramento Kings
10 p.m. Golden 1 Center, Sacramento
Records (Against the Spread)
Clippers: 47-27 (35-39-0)
Kings: 43-31 (38-35-1)
Line: Clippers (-2.5) Total: 222.5
Money Line: Clippers (-135), Kings (+115)
BPI Projection: Clippers by 2.8, straight up 60%, 237.9 total points.
Injury Report:
Clippers: Jordan Miller, (GTD - Thumb); Moussa Diabate, (GTD - Hand)
Kings: Malik Monk, (OUT - Knee); Kevin Huerter, (OUT - Shoulder)
Dallas Mavericks at Golden State Warriors
10 p.m. Chase Center, San Francisco
Records (Against the Spread)
Mavericks: 45-29 (44-30-0)
Warriors: 40-34 (39-33-2)
Line: Warriors (-1.5) Total: 231.5
Money Line: Mavericks (-105), Warriors (-115)
BPI Projection: Warriors by 0.3, straight up 51%, 236.6 total points.
Injury Report:
Mavericks: Dereck Lively II, (GTD - Lower Leg); Josh Green, (OUT - Ankle)
Warriors: Javonte Green, (GTD - Personal); Jonathan Kuminga, (GTD - Knee); Klay Thompson, (GTD - Foot); Dario Saric, (OUT - Knee)