Best NBA Bets for Monday, March 3: Expert Picks & Predictions | Deadspin.com

On the surface, it looks like options are limited for betting on the NBA on Monday.

There are just seven games on the schedule, so that tracks—right? Not really. Each game has hundreds of prop markets to attack. So, the problem for some bettors is still the same as always: figuring out where to start. You can do it the hard way and research each and every game and the hundreds of related betting markets.

Yeah, but it might be easier if you review our “Best NBA Bets” for Monday, March 3, first.

Best Bets: Golden State vs. Charlotte

Picking a winner for this game is pretty easy: the Warriors (32-28). Golden State is not the powerhouse it once was, but Steph Curry and company are still a good team. As for Charlotte (14-45), the Hornets have struggled all season long no matter where they play (9-21 at home; 5-24 on the road).

But there is no value in betting on Golden State’s moneyline (-625 via DraftKings). The Hornets are 12-point underdogs but have a solid ATS record when the spread is 12 or more points (10-4). Golden State has only covered once (three tries) when such a big favorite.

Sounds like taking the Hornets and the points may be advisable, right? However, the Warriors just stomped the Hornets 128-92 a week ago. Chances are pretty good the Hornets will not make up a 30-plus point difference by playing at home.

Our pick: Warriors -12 at -108 (DraftKings).

Best Bets: Sacramento vs. Dallas

The Kings (31-28) have been on a roll of late with a trio of wins, the last two coming on the road. However, they will be without the services of Domantas Sabonis, who left early in Saturday’s win over Houston due to a hamstring injury.

The rest of the roster was able to pick up the slack against the Rockets (currently the No. 5 seed). They should be able to do so against a Mavericks (32-29) team shaping up to be one of the play-in tournament teams this year for the Western Conference.

Dallas is struggling to compete with the better teams. It has lost three of its last four (to the Bucks, Lakers and Warriors). Sacramento has a solid squad, but it can’t compare to those teams. However, the Kings have beaten Dallas twice this year.

The Kings will enter the game with some very valuable momentum, which will be the difference in the game.

Our pick: Sacramento ML at +105 (DraftKings).

Best NBA Bets: Houston vs. Oklahoma City

The stars are certainly aligning for the Rockets regarding this game. They haven’t played since Saturday’s loss to Sacramento, so they’ll have a rest advantage over an Oklahoma City team playing the second game of a back-to-back. The Thunder have gone 10-3 in such games.

However, Oklahoma City has gone 9-3 when at a rest disadvantage. But the Thunder will not have Chet Holmgren back yet. With one of their better players out and Houston well-rested, I’m leaning toward going with the Rockets and the points.

I don’t think Houston will win, but I don’t see the Thunder winning by double digits.

Our pick: Houston +10.5 at -108 (DraftKings).