Top NBA Betting Picks of the Week – March 19th

The Philadelphia 76ers have won seven of 10, including a huge rivalry game against Milwaukee over the weekend behind 40 points from Joel Embiid. They’re still seven games out in the Eastern Conference, but their four-game winning streak shows that they may be peaking at the right time to become an NBA Betting favorite. Brooklyn had been making a playoff push but has slid over the last week, dropping three in a row. In the Western Conference, Houston has closed to within four games of the top of the standings after winning nine of ten. San Antonio and the L.A. Clippers have made hard pushes lately too, both winning eight of ten to get into the top eight. New Orleans has dropped six in a row as the stress of losing Anthony Davis seems to be eating at team chemistry. We have three pro-basketball betting picks from the Association for you to consider as you start your wagering week.

Top NBA Betting Picks of the Week – March 19th

“I just try to stay with the same mentality in terms of staying ready. The coaching staff has done a great job of preparing me… so when my number is called, I’ll be ready.” pic.twitter.com/WdJmmGzMgH

— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) 19 de marzo de 2019

Tuesday, March 19

L.A. Lakers at Milwaukee (8:00 pm ET, NBA TV)

The Lakers have lost three in a row and eight of nine, with their most recent setbacks coming in Toronto, Detroit and New York. In that setback in New York, LeBron James was driving to the basket for the game-winner but found his shot blocked by Mario Hezonja. James went just 4 for 15 in the fourth quarter, ruining a 33-point, eight-assist, and six-rebound effort. The Knicks finished the game on a 13-1 run to close out the victory. DeAndre Jordan also blocked a James shot in the last minute of the game as the Knicks played tough. Now Los Angeles heads west to take on the Milwaukee Bucks, who are also smarting from a loss on Sunday. Giannis Antetokounmpo put up 52 points, a career best, but it was the 40 points and 15 boards from Joel Embiid that paced Philadelphia to a 130-125 win. Antetokounmpo went 15 for 26, including 3 for 8 from downtown, and 19 for 21 from the free-throw line — despite having just 17 points going into halftime. Can Milwaukee turn things around against the Lakers? Given the lack of chemistry, Los Angeles is showing on this road trip, that seems certain. Final NBA Betting Prediction: Milwaukee 118, Los Angeles 106

Indianapolis at L.A. Clippers (10:30 pm ET, NBA TV)

Indianapolis knocked off the Knicks and the Thunder at home before heading out on a Western Conference road trip, losing the opener in Denver, 102-100. Paul Millsap knocked down a left-handed layup with seven seconds left in regulation, helping the Nuggets preserve a win after Nikola Jokic was ejected for arguing calls. Thaddeus Young led the Pacers with 18 points and 10 rebounds, but it was the fact that Indiana went 0 for 11 from downtown that proved more decisive in the loss. The Clippers have won two in a row and seven of eight, including a 119-116 win over Brooklyn on Sunday. Lou Williams nailed a three-pointer in the last seconds of the fourth quarter to deliver the win. Williams scored 25 points off the bench to help the Clippers come back from a deficit that grew to as large as 19 in the second period to go into the locker room with a five-point halftime lead, finishing the second quarter on a 33-9 run. Now with the Pacers coming and both teams pushing for the postseason, can the Clippers win at home again? Final NBA Betting Prediction: Los Angeles 115, Indiana 111

Wednesday, March 20

Boston at Philadelphia (7:00 pm ET, ESPN)

The Celtics have won two straight and five of six, following up a bad loss to the Clippers in L.A. with home wins over Sacramento and Atlanta. They beat the Hawks on Saturday, 129-120, and host Denver on Monday before heading to Philadelphia Wednesday night. In that win over the Hawks, Boston ran out to a 25-point lead in the second half before watching it evaporate…and then turning the offense back on to win. Kyrie Irving had 30 points, 11 boards, and nine assists, and Jaylen Brown put up 23. Marcus Morris chipped in 19 points, and Jayson Tatum added 18. Gordon Hayward left early in the game with a strained neck and looked dazed before going into the locker room and being sent home. The Celtics will need a more consistent game to knock off the Sixers. We’ve discussed the Sixers’ dominant performance in their win over Milwaukee. However, the Celtics have dominated Philadelphia lately, eliminating them from the playoffs lately and winning all three regular-season matchups, including one in Boston on February 12, which the Celtics won by three. The 76ers have added Tobias Harris since that meeting, so can they get the Boston monkey off their backs? Final NBA Betting Prediction: Philadelphia 124, Boston 119