NBA Best Bets Today: Predictions, Picks, Odds for Wednesday, March 5

The NBA regular season rolls on with an exciting Wednesday lineup, featuring 8 games tonight. Our team of basketball betting experts has analyzed the latest odds and found the best value on the board.

Our betting experts have looked over the odds and made 6 NBA picks for today’s contests. Continue below for our NBA best bets and predictions for Wednesday, March 5.

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NBA Best Bets, Predictions, Picks, Odds: Wednesday, March 5

Game	Time (ET)	Pick
[teammatchup link=”#1″ firstfullname=”Minnesota Timberwolves” firstlogo=”https://images.actionnetwork.com/blog/2023/08/nba-updated-logo-minnesota-timberwolves.png” secondfullname=”Charlotte Hornets” secondlogo=”https://images.actionnetwork.com/blog/2023/07/charlotte-hornets-logo-updated-2023.png”][/teammatchup]	7:00 p.m.	Timberwolves -8.5
[teammatchup link=”#2″ firstfullname=”Portland Trail Blazers” firstlogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/312105_Blazers.png” secondfullname=”Boston Celtics” secondlogo=”https://images.actionnetwork.com/blog/2023/07/boston-celtics-logo-updated-2023.png”][/teammatchup]	7:00 p.m.	Blazers +10.5
[teammatchup link=”#3″ firstfullname=”Sacramento Kings” firstlogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/348219_kings.png” secondfullname=”Denver Nuggets” secondlogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/725847_nba_den_150x150.png”][/teammatchup]	9:00 p.m.	DeMar DeRozan over 4.5 assists
[teammatchup link=”#4″ firstfullname=”Sacramento Kings” firstlogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/348219_kings.png” secondfullname=”Denver Nuggets” secondlogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/725847_nba_den_150x150.png”][/teammatchup]	9:00 p.m.	Over 236.5
[teammatchup link=”#5″ firstfullname=”Memphis Grizzlies” firstlogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/nba/100/mem.png” secondfullname=”Oklahoma City Thunder” secondlogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/nba/100/okc.png”][/teammatchup]	9:30 p.m.	Ja Morant Under 24.5 Points
[teammatchup link=”#6″ firstfullname=”Detroit Pistons” firstlogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/343538_pistons.png” secondfullname=”Los Angeles Clippers” secondlogo=”https://images.actionnetwork.com/blog/2023/07/los-angeles-clippers-logo-updated-2023.png”][/teammatchup]	10:30 p.m.	Pistons -4.5
Specific betting recommendations come from the sportsbook offering preferred odds as of writing. Always shop for the best price using our NBA Odds page, which automatically surfaces the best lines for every game.

[anchor name=”1″][/anchor]

[subheader sizedown=”false” text=”Timberwolves vs. Hornets”][/subheader]

[gameheader haspick=”true” picktext=”Timberwolves -8.5″ league=”nba” awaylogo=”https://images.actionnetwork.com/blog/2023/08/nba-updated-logo-minnesota-timberwolves.png” awayname=”Minnesota Timberwolves” awayslug=”minnesota-timberwolves” homelogo=”https://images.actionnetwork.com/blog/2023/07/charlotte-hornets-logo-updated-2023.png” homename=”Charlotte Hornets” homeslug=”charlotte-hornets” date=”Wednesday, March 5″ time=”7:00 p.m. ET” network=”NBA League Pass” bookname=”DraftKings ” bookprimarylogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/477013_DraftKings@1x.png” bookreviewslug=”draftkings”][/gameheader]

By Bruce Marshall

Well, we suppose the Hornets are making some progress offensively, increasing their point production in the past four games. Except it’s from 88 to 92 to 96 to 100 to 101. At that rate, Charlotte might get into the 120s sometime early next season.

Mostly, however, Charlotte keeps losing, now seven straight, and most of the time it’s not close, as only once in the current skid (at banged-up Dallas) have the Hornets even kept the margin within single digits. Even LaMelo Ball’s recent return to active duty after a brief absence hasn’t sparked the offense.

The T-Wolves have had some of the better defensive numbers in the league and look like they might be ramping up with consecutive romps past the Suns and Sixers. It’s a back-to-back scenario after last night’s win vs. Philly, but Ant Edwards and Julius Randle weren’t overly taxed, and Naz Reid ended the game as the leading scorer with 24. Play T-Wolves.

Pick: Timberwolves -8.5

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[teammatchup link=”#1″ shadow=”true” firstfullname=”Minnesota Timberwolves” firstlogo=”https://images.actionnetwork.com/blog/2023/08/nba-updated-logo-minnesota-timberwolves.png” secondfullname=”Charlotte Hornets” secondlogo=”https://images.actionnetwork.com/blog/2023/07/charlotte-hornets-logo-updated-2023.png”][/teammatchup]

[teammatchup link=”#2″ shadow=”true” firstfullname=”Portland Trail Blazers” firstlogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/312105_Blazers.png” secondfullname=”Boston Celtics” secondlogo=”https://images.actionnetwork.com/blog/2023/07/boston-celtics-logo-updated-2023.png”][/teammatchup]

[teammatchup link=”#3″ shadow=”true” firstfullname=”Sacramento Kings” firstlogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/348219_kings.png” secondfullname=”Denver Nuggets” secondlogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/725847_nba_den_150x150.png”][/teammatchup]

[teammatchup link=”#4″ shadow=”true” firstfullname=”Sacramento Kings” firstlogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/348219_kings.png” secondfullname=”Denver Nuggets” secondlogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/725847_nba_den_150x150.png”][/teammatchup]

[teammatchup link=”#5″ shadow=”true” firstfullname=”Memphis Grizzlies” firstlogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/nba/100/mem.png” secondfullname=”Oklahoma City Thunder” secondlogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/nba/100/okc.png”][/teammatchup]

[teammatchup link=”#6″ shadow=”true” firstfullname=”Detroit Pistons” firstlogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/343538_pistons.png” secondfullname=”Los Angeles Clippers” secondlogo=”https://images.actionnetwork.com/blog/2023/07/los-angeles-clippers-logo-updated-2023.png”][/teammatchup]

[anchor name=”2″][/anchor]

[subheader sizedown=”false” text=”Trail Blazers vs. Celtics”][/subheader]

[gameheader haspick=”true” picktext=”Blazers +10.5 ” league=”nba” awaylogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/312105_Blazers.png” awayname=”Portland Trail Blazers” awayslug=”portland-trail-blazers” homelogo=”https://images.actionnetwork.com/blog/2023/07/boston-celtics-logo-updated-2023.png” homename=”Boston Celtics” homeslug=”boston-celtics” date=”Wednesday, March 5″ time=”7:00 p.m. ET” network=”NBA League Pass” bookname=”ESPN BET” bookprimarylogo=”https://images.actionnetwork.com/blog/2023/11/ESPNBET-rect-2colorway-e1700601975338.png” bookreviewslug=”espn-bet”][/gameheader]

By Bruce Marshall

There’s some history here, as one of the great Celtics title teams from 1985-86 lost only one game at home (in those days, the old Boston Garden) that season, coming against Clyde Drexler’s Blazers. Fast forward to 2005, and it’s about time, perhaps, to take this current Portland side a bit seriously, too.

The Blazers would have seemed a candidate for a letdown after letting a late lead slip away and then losing in OT at Cleveland on Sunday, yet they bounced right back on Monday night to throttle the Sixers, 119-102. That’s five wins in six for Portland, and worth noting that since late January, the only Portland losses have been to playoff-caliber sides (Minnesota, Denver twice, the Lakers, and Cavs). Anfernee Simons was also on fire again at Philly, scoring 34 on Monday.

Meanwhile, I’m not sure how sharp the Celtics are at the moment, having lost two of three, and covering only once in the last four, with almost everyone it seems (including Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum) showing up on the daily injury report. Play Blazers.

Pick: Blazers +10.5

[anchor name=”3″][/anchor]

[subheader sizedown=”false” text=”Kings vs. Nuggets”][/subheader]

[gameheader haspick=”true” picktext=”DeMar DeRozan over 4.5 assists” league=”nba” awaylogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/348219_kings.png” awayname=”Sacramento Kings” awayslug=”sacramento-kings” homelogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/725847_nba_den_150x150.png” homename=”Denver Nuggets” homeslug=”denver-nuggets” date=”Wednesday, March 5″ time=”9:00 p.m. ET” network=”NBA League Pass” bookname=”DraftKings ” bookprimarylogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/477013_DraftKings@1x.png” bookreviewslug=”draftkings”][/gameheader]

By Bryan Fonseca

The Denver Nuggets allow the most assists per game and the third most per 100 possessions.

The Sacramento Kings are, again, without Domantas Sabonis.

DeMar DeRozan has gotten six and four assists without Sabonis this week, and against a Nuggets team with their own injury questions — even Nikola Jokic is uncertain to play — the match-up here is even better.

I considered rebounds + assists at +100 (over 8.5 for DeRozan) but he’s been struggling on the glass. If Jokic is out, then maybe. For now, I’ll take the assists.

Pick: DeMar DeRozan over 4.5 assists

[anchor name=”4″][/anchor]

[subheader sizedown=”false” text=”Kings vs. Nuggets”][/subheader]

[gameheader haspick=”true” picktext=”Over 236.5″ league=”nba” awaylogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/348219_kings.png” awayname=”Sacramento Kings” awayslug=”sacramento-kings” homelogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/725847_nba_den_150x150.png” homename=”Denver Nuggets” homeslug=”denver-nuggets” date=”Wednesday, March 5″ time=”9:00 p.m. ET” network=”NBA League Pass” bookname=”FanDuel” bookprimarylogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/122955_FanDuelSportsBook@1x.jpg” bookreviewslug=”fanduel”][/gameheader]

By Michael Fiddle

The Nuggets and Kings have a few reasons to back the over here. The early market signs have pointed to this number going up, and it’s likely to gain closing line value, the most important secondary metric in betting.

The injury report has Jokic questionable, and it could rise once he is ruled in. The matchup history between these two teams also suggests high pace, high-output scoring. The Kings have actually seemed to be the sharp side against the spread too, but just a total play for me here.

Pick: Over 236.5

[anchor name=”5″][/anchor]

[subheader sizedown=”false” text=”Grizzlies vs. Thunder”][/subheader]

[gameheader haspick=”true” picktext=”Ja Morant Under 24.5 Points ” league=”nba” awaylogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/nba/100/mem.png” awayname=”Memphis Grizzlies” awayslug=”memphis-grizzlies” homelogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/nba/100/okc.png” homename=”Oklahoma City Thunder” homeslug=”oklahoma-city-thunder” date=”Wednesday, March 5″ time=”9:30 p.m. ET” network=”NBA League Pass” bookname=”ESPN BET” bookprimarylogo=”https://images.actionnetwork.com/blog/2023/11/ESPNBET-rect-2colorway-e1700601975338.png” bookreviewslug=”espn-bet”][/gameheader]

By Joe Dellera

The Memphis Grizzlies face off against the Oklahoma City Thunder tonight in a matchup between two of the top teams in the West. The Grizzlies have slid of late and are just 3-7 over their last 10 games, while OKC is rolling with an 8-2 record over this stretch.

One issue for Memphis moving forward is that they will be without JJJ (ankle), and that will severely impact them on both ends of the court.

While you’d expect some of Memphis’ star players to pick up the slack without JJJ, it’s actually been the opposite. Ja Morant sees his scoring dip from 33.3 points per 100 possessions to 31.7 when JJJ is off the floor, per pbpstats.

Morant is only averaging 20.9 ppg this season, and this is a brutal matchup for him against the Thunder. With all of the rangy and talented perimeter defenders they can throw at him, this sets up to be a tougher assignment without having JJJ to space the floor.

Pick: Ja Morant Under 24.5 Points

[anchor name=”6″][/anchor]

[subheader sizedown=”false” text=”Pistons vs. Clippers”][/subheader]

[gameheader haspick=”true” picktext=”Detroit Pistons -4.5″ league=”nba” awaylogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/343538_pistons.png” awayname=”Detroit Pistons” awayslug=”detroit-pistons” homelogo=”https://images.actionnetwork.com/blog/2023/07/los-angeles-clippers-logo-updated-2023.png” homename=”Los Angeles Clippers” homeslug=”los-angeles-clippers” date=”Wednesday, March 5″ time=”10:30 p.m. ET” network=”NBA League Pass” bookname=”FanDuel” bookprimarylogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/122955_FanDuelSportsBook@1x.jpg” bookreviewslug=”fanduel”][/gameheader]

By Bruce Marshall

That was about as bad a collapse as you’ll see in the NBA last night by the Clippers, who kicked away a 23-point lead deep in the 3rd quarter and let the recently-reeling Suns collar them at the wire in Phoenix.

Ty Lue’s crew hasn’t seemed to recover from the All-Star break, losing six of seven since, and in the second night of a back-to-back, they won’t have Kawhi Leonard available tonight. That’s not all, as top scorer Norman Powell, who returned briefly on Sunday vs. the Lakers, is now out with a hamstring strain.

We are getting used to the thought of doing things like laying points on the road with the Pistons, who’ve won 10 of 11, including a 106-97 success vs. the Clips at Little Caesars on February 24 when Cade Cunningham led the way with 32 points (Kawhi also missed that one for LA). The Detroit spread uptick is now 10-2 in the past 12 games. Play Pistons.

NBA Best Bets Today: Predictions, Picks, Odds for Wednesday, March 5

NBA Best Bets, Predictions, Picks, Odds: Wednesday, March 5

Pick: Timberwolves -8.5

Pick: Blazers +10.5

Pick: DeMar DeRozan over 4.5 assists

Pick: Over 236.5

Pick: Ja Morant Under 24.5 Points

Pick: Pistons -4.5