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NBA Preview: Thursday, March 3

Seven Games Highlighted by Elite Defenses

“Defense wins championships” is a credo most of the top NBA teams live by. Four of the best this season are playing against each other as they headline this Thursday’s slate. The NBA betting odds have these matchups as tight games as five of the seven games are potentially decided by a single possession.

NBA Games for March 3

Chicago Bulls vs Atlanta Hawks

The Chicago Bulls are slightly favored to complete the season sweep on the Atlanta Hawks. Chicago won the last three games and covered two of them and are 6-2 against the spread (ATS) in their last eight in Atlanta. The Hawks are 12-9 ATS at home against the conference.

NBA Preview: Thursday, March 3
Michael Reaves/Getty Images/AFP

Miami Heat vs Brooklyn Nets

Kevin Durant is back just in time as his Brooklyn Nets welcome the Miami Heat as slight underdogs. The Nets have lost four of their last five games and three straight against Miami going back to April of last season. Brooklyn is infamously bad at covering the spread and is just 4-14-1 at home while Miami is 6-0-1 ATS in its last seven games.

Detroit Pistons vs Toronto Raptors

Fresh off back-to-back wins against Brooklyn, the Toronto Raptors play host to their old coach, Dwane Casey’s Detroit Pistons as the biggest favorites for the night. The Pistons have won five straight against Toronto all as underdogs. In fact, Detroit is 8-3 against Toronto since Casey took over. Talk about sticking it to your ex.

Memphis Grizzlies vs Boston Celtics

We’ve got a battle of titans here. The Memphis Grizzlies and Boston Celtics have been two of the best teams in the NBA thanks to elite defenses. The Grizzlies have been the best bet online, especially on the point spread with a 66.7% cover rate. The Celtics are just 14-17-1 ATS at home but are 21-11 straight-up.

Sacramento Kings vs San Antonio Spurs

The highest-scoring game on the online sportsbook once again belongs to the Sacramento Kings. This time, they visit the San Antonio Spurs as underdogs. As home favorites, the 10 of the Spurs’ 13 games have gone over (76.9%), the best ratio in the NBA. Six of the Kings’ last eight conference games have also gone over.

Golden State Warriors vs Dallas Mavericks

The Dallas Mavericks look to get the last laugh on the Golden State Warriors. Dallas has two of their three meetings this season including their last, a 107-101 win on Sunday. Dallas has been on a roll with a defense that is now rivaling Golden State’s as the best. It’s not a surprise that this game has the lowest total for the night.

Los Angeles Lakers vs Los Angeles Clippers

The Los Angeles Lakers look to snap its six-game skid against the Los Angeles Clippers. But they will have to do with LeBron James listed as questionable with a hurt knee. The freefalling Lakers have lost six of their last seven and are just 5-10 as a visitor against conference opponents. The Clippers are still only just 9-13 ATS as a favored host.

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