The AI Model has given us three NBA computer picks to consider for today’s slate of games. Here’s the breakdown of the odds available at the top betting sites.
Let’s have a day!
Picks Summary
- Knicks -3.5 (-110) at Caesars Sportsbook
- Mavericks -3 (-110) at Caesars Sportsbook
- Bulls +8.5 (-110) at Bet365
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. New York Knicks
Sunday, March 31, 2024 – 07:00 PM ET at Madison Square Garden
Our AI Model likes the Knicks to cover the 3.5-point spread with a 110-105 victory over the Thunder. This has a lot to do with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander being listed as doubtful for tonight’s game with the Thunder.
Bounce Back Spot
The Knicks lost their three-game winning streak in overtime to the Spurs. The offense was electric, with Jalen Brunson scoring 61 points, but the defense wasn’t.
The Knicks allowed the Spurs to score 125 points per 100 possessions with a 63.4% effective field goal percentage. That’s not like most typical Knicks games. The Knicks had held their last three opponents to no more than 101 points.
Look for New York to get back to playing that style of defense. The Knicks were just caught up in Brunson’s history-making performance against the Spurs.
With Shai Gilgeous-Alexander out for the Thunder, Oklahoma City is shorthanded. The Thunder have always been weak on the offensive glass and aren’t that great on the defensive glass, either.
NBA Computer Pick
The Knicks should dominate with more second chances. They’ll also hold the Thunder to just one shot in front of the glass.
At home, in a bounce-back performance, let’s take the Knicks at -3.5.
NBA Pick: Knicks -3.5 (-110) at Caesars Sportsbook (check our Caesars Sportsbook Review)
Dallas Mavericks vs. Houston Rockets
Sunday, March 31, 2024 – 07:00 PM ET at Toyota Center
The AI Model suggests Dallas will earn a 117-114 victory over the Rockets tonight. With the Mavericks sitting at -2.5, the value is certainly on the Mavericks on the road.
The Dallas Mavericks won’t dominate on the offensive glass. However, Dallas will keep turnovers down and find quality looks throughout the game.
Mavs Need Some Charity Line
While the offense isn’t consistent at getting to the foul line, the team typically scores at a high rate offensively.
However, Dallas’s main attraction is its defense. The Mavericks have held their last six teams to no more than 111.7 points per 100 possessions. They’ve been really good on the defensive glass and have limited teams to no more than a 52.3% effective field goal percentage.
They’ll face a Rockets team that has won more than ten straight games. However, the offense hasn’t been good over the last three games. Houston has just provided good enough defense to sneak by the opposition.
NBA Computer Pick
If the Rockets can’t match Dallas’ offensive consistency, the Mavericks will win this game.
It’ll likely be a lower-scoring game, but Dallas has been just as hot as the Rockets lately, and offensively, there’s more to the Mavericks right now.
Let’s back the Mavericks at -3.
NBA Pick: Mavericks -3 (-110) at Caesars Sportsbook
Chicago Bulls vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
Sunday, March 31, 2024 – 07:00 PM ET at Target Center
The AI Model believes the Bulls will at least cover against the Timberwolves. It thinks the Timberwolves will sneak away with a 111-103 win. However, Bet365 has the Bulls at +8.5. If this happened, the Bulls would cover against the spread.
The Chicago Bulls have been a bit inconsistent recently. But Chicago already defeated Minnesota in an earlier game in February and probably has enough to stay in tonight’s game against Minnesota.
Humming On Offense
Chicago has scored at least 116.3 points per 100 possessions in three of their last four games. The Bulls have also held teams to 107.1 points per 100 possessions in two of their last four matchups.
The problem is, when they’re not playing good defense, it gets super ugly. For example, the Nets just scored 125 points against the Bulls in Chicago’s most recent game.
Getting to the Foul Line
Still, the Bulls typically limit teams from getting to the foul line and ultimately get to the foul line at a solid rate.
The Bulls are also good at winning the turnover battle, giving up no more than 12% of turnovers in five of their last six games.
They’ll take on a TImberwolves team that has been much more consistent. On the defensive end, Minnesota has held teams to no more than 106.9 points per 100 possessions. However, the offense, while consistent, hasn’t been elite.
NBA Computer Pick
Minnesota is struggling to win second chances on the offensive glass and despite getting many free throws against Denver, the Timberwolves aren’t seeing the foul line much.
Expect the Bulls to win the foul-shooting battle. That will ultimately help them stay around in this game and cover the 8.5-point spread.
NBA Pick: Bulls +8.5 (-110) at Bet365 (check our Bet365 Review)
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*The line and/or odds referenced in this article might have changed since the content was published. For the latest information on line movements, visit OddsTrader’s free betting odds tool.
