NBA Best Bets Today: Predictions, Picks, Odds for Saturday, March 8

The NBA regular season resumes with another excellent slate this Saturday, with a total of 8 matchups on the docket scheduled for today. So, our staff of basketball betting experts dug into the latest odds and identified all the best value on the board.

Our betting experts have looked over the odds and made 6 NBA picks for of tonight’s contests. Continue below for our NBA best bets and predictions for Saturday, March 8.

NBA Best Bets, Predictions, Picks, Odds: Saturday, March 8

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Game	Time (ET)	Pick
[teammatchup link=”#1″ firstfullname=”Orlando Magic” firstlogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/nba/100/orl.png” secondfullname=”Milwaukee Bucks” secondlogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/nba/100/mil.png”][/teammatchup]	8 p.m.	Damian Lillard Over 29.5 Points + Assists
[teammatchup link=”#2″ firstfullname=”Chicago Bulls” firstlogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/nba/100/chi.png” secondfullname=”Miami Heat” secondlogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/nba/100/mia.png”][/teammatchup]	8 p.m.	Josh Giddey Over 8.5 Rebounds
[teammatchup link=”#3″ firstfullname=”New Orleans Pelicans” firstlogo=”https://images.actionnetwork.com/blog/2023/07/new-orleans-pelicans-logo-updated-2023.png” secondfullname=”Houston Rockets” secondlogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/nba/100/hou.png”][/teammatchup]	7 p.m.	Rockets -8
[teammatchup link=”#4″ firstfullname=”Los Angeles Lakers” firstlogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/nba/100/lal.png” secondfullname=”Boston Celtics” secondlogo=”https://images.actionnetwork.com/blog/2023/07/boston-celtics-logo-updated-2023.png”][/teammatchup]	8:30 p.m.	Under 227
[teammatchup link=”#5″ firstfullname=”Washington Wizards” firstlogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/nba/100/wsh.png” secondfullname=”Toronto Raptors” secondlogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/nba/100/tor.png”][/teammatchup]	7 p.m.	Raptors -3.5
[teammatchup link=”#6″ firstfullname=”Detroit Pistons” firstlogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/343538_pistons.png” secondfullname=”Golden State Warriors” secondlogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/759063_Warriors.png”][/teammatchup]	8:30 p.m.	Warriors -6
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.

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[subheader sizedown=”false” text=”Magic vs. Bucks”][/subheader]

[gameheader haspick=”true” picktext=”Damian Lillard Over 29.5 Points + Assists (-110)” league=”nba” awaylogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/nba/100/orl.png” awayname=”Orlando Magic” awayslug=”orlando-magic” homelogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/nba/100/mil.png” homename=”Milwaukee Bucks” homeslug=”milwaukee-bucks” date=”Saturday, March 8″ time=”8 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 Bucks face off against the Magic in an important game for standings in the Eastern Conference tonight.

The Bucks now have a path to passing the Knicks for the 3-seed following Jalen Brunson’s latest injury, and Orlando is trying to get out of the 9/10 play-in spot. One player to target in this matchup is Damian Lillard.

The Magic have taken a significant hit to their defense without Jalen Suggs. He was elite and in the 97th percentile of all players in Defensive EPM. Without Suggs, they have struggled to defend the perimeter, particularly at the point of attack.

Dame should cook in this matchup. He’s cleared this line in all three games against Orlando, recording 37, 36, and 34 Points + Assists (PA) in those three outings.

Considering the Magic are getting fried by perimeter players lately, Dame should slot right in here as Giannis has a bit of a tougher assignment. I’ll back Dame this Saturday.

Pick: Damian Lillard Over 29.5 Points + Assists (-110)

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[teammatchup link=”#1″ shadow=”true” firstfullname=”Orlando Magic” firstlogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/nba/100/orl.png” secondfullname=”Milwaukee Bucks” secondlogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/nba/100/mil.png”][/teammatchup]

[teammatchup link=”#2″ shadow=”true” firstfullname=”Chicago Bulls” firstlogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/nba/100/chi.png” secondfullname=”Miami Heat” secondlogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/nba/100/mia.png”][/teammatchup]

[teammatchup link=”#3″ shadow=”true” firstfullname=”New Orleans Pelicans” firstlogo=”https://images.actionnetwork.com/blog/2023/07/new-orleans-pelicans-logo-updated-2023.png” secondfullname=”Houston Rockets” secondlogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/nba/100/hou.png”][/teammatchup]

[teammatchup link=”#4″ shadow=”true” firstfullname=”Los Angeles Lakers” firstlogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/nba/100/lal.png” secondfullname=”Boston Celtics” secondlogo=”https://images.actionnetwork.com/blog/2023/07/boston-celtics-logo-updated-2023.png”][/teammatchup]

[teammatchup link=”#5″ shadow=”true” firstfullname=”Washington Wizards” firstlogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/nba/100/wsh.png” secondfullname=”Toronto Raptors” secondlogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/nba/100/tor.png”][/teammatchup]

[teammatchup link=”#6″ shadow=”true” firstfullname=”Detroit Pistons” firstlogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/343538_pistons.png” secondfullname=”Golden State Warriors” secondlogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/759063_Warriors.png”][/teammatchup]

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[subheader sizedown=”false” text=”Bulls vs. Heat”][/subheader]

[gameheader haspick=”true” picktext=”Josh Giddey Over 8.5 Rebounds (-120)” league=”nba” awaylogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/nba/100/chi.png” awayname=”Chicago Bulls” awayslug=”chicago-bulls” homelogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/nba/100/mia.png” homename=”Miami Heat” homeslug=”miami-heat” date=”Saturday, March 8″ time=”8 p.m. ET” network=”NBA League Pass” bookname=”DraftKings ” bookprimarylogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/477013_DraftKings@1x.png” bookreviewslug=”draftkings”][/gameheader]

By Andrew Norton

No Patrick Williams. No Nikola Vucevic. No Lonzo Ball. No Ayo Dosunmu. The Bulls are banged up at the moment.

The frontcourt is particularly depleted, as Chicago will be forced to deploy a rotation featuring Zach Collins, Jalen Smith, Julian Phillips, and Matas Buzelis. Surprisingly, those guys fared well on the glass against Orlando, one of the tallest starting frontcourts in the league, but Josh Giddey was a huge reason for that success.

Giddey pulled down 13 rebounds in that game. He was relentless on the boards. And with the above Bulls players more focused on simply boxing out their man, Giddey was able to swoop in uncontested to clean the glass.

Miami has also had to play small recently, as Bam started at center last night and logged more than 40 minutes.

Like Chicago, the Heat are also banged up and will be tired from extended minutes last night, opening the door for a double-digit night on the glass for Giddey.

Pick: Josh Giddey Over 8.5 Rebounds (-120)

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[subheader sizedown=”false” text=”Pelicans vs. Rockets”][/subheader]

[gameheader haspick=”true” picktext=”Rockets -8 (-110)” league=”nba” awaylogo=”https://images.actionnetwork.com/blog/2023/07/new-orleans-pelicans-logo-updated-2023.png” awayname=”New Orleans Pelicans” awayslug=”new-orleans-pelicans” homelogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/nba/100/hou.png” homename=”Houston Rockets” homeslug=”houston-rockets” date=”Saturday, March 8″ time=”7 p.m. ET” network=”NBA League Pass” bookname=”Fanatics Sportsbook” bookprimarylogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/542724_Fanatics-banner-logo.png” bookreviewslug=”fanatics-sportsbook”][/gameheader]

By Picks Office

The Rockets‘ defense at home is a game-changer, allowing just 106.1 PPG and ranks top 5 in Opponent FG% (44.5). Meanwhile, the Pelicans’ offense tends to crumble on the road, scoring just 107.8 PPG with 33.4% from deep.

The Rockets dominated the last matchup between these teams, holding New Orleans to 37.3% shooting and forcing 17 assists, with minimal ball movement.

The Pelicans’ defense is a liability, surrendering an average of 118.8 PPG (29th) and allowing their opponents to shoot 48.3% from the field (26th). Houston’s offense isn’t elite, but gets a boost at home – 112.6 PPG, rebounds well (48.1 RPG).

Alperen Sengun feasted last game (22 pts, 78.6% FG), and Jalen Green leads the team in scoring. The Pelicans struggle to contain inside threats. The Rockets have the momentum right now, they are 20-10 at home, and they should be locked in defensively vs. New Orleans tonight.

The Pelicans are a weak road team (6-26) and failed to adjust offensively in the last game. So, the Rockets should control tempo again, defend well, and exploit a weak Pelicans defense in this spot.

Pick: Rockets -8 (-110)

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[anchor name=”4″][/anchor]

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

[gameheader haspick=”true” picktext=”Under 227 (-110)” league=”nba” awaylogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/nba/100/lal.png” awayname=”Los Angeles Lakers” awayslug=”los-angeles-lakers” homelogo=”https://images.actionnetwork.com/blog/2023/07/boston-celtics-logo-updated-2023.png” homename=”Boston Celtics” homeslug=”boston-celtics” date=”Saturday, March 8″ time=”8:30 p.m. ET” network=”ABC” bookname=”DraftKings ” bookprimarylogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/477013_DraftKings@1x.png” bookreviewslug=”draftkings”][/gameheader]

By Bruce Marshall

Though we (and everyone in Dallas) still remain perplexed at why the Mavericks would ever want to send away Luka Doncic, the fact is that he’s with the Lakers now and they are winning, in fact eight in a row, and they’ll head to TD Garden to face an old enemy tonight.

Interestingly, it was Anthony Davis who was the star of LA’s earlier 117-96 cruise past the Celtics at Crypto.com back on January 23, before the trade and the recent Lakers uptick.

The Lake Show has been mostly at home (the last six) during this win surge, but they did win at Portland and Denver to begin this latest uptick two weeks ago.

There is another angle here, however, as LA is also 8-1 to the Under since Doncic arrived, with the only Over thanks to a Pelicans side that hardly played defense last Tuesday in LA. Play Lakers-Celtics Under.

Pick: Under 227 (-110)

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[subheader sizedown=”false” text=”Wizards vs. Raptors”][/subheader]

[gameheader haspick=”true” picktext=”Raptors -3.5 (-110)” league=”nba” awaylogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/nba/100/wsh.png” awayname=”Washington Wizards” awayslug=”washington-wizards” homelogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/nba/100/tor.png” homename=”Toronto Raptors” homeslug=”toronto-raptors” date=”Saturday, March 8″ time=”7 p.m. ET” network=”NBA League Pass” bookname=”bet365″ bookprimarylogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/859377_Bet365@1x.png” bookreviewslug=”bet365″][/gameheader]

By Jorge Gonzalez

This is the second matchup this season between these NBA Eastern Conference opponents.

The Raptors defeated the Wizards by a score of 106-82 on January 29, and Toronto leads the series 8-2 straight-up (8-2 ATS) in the last 10 matchups.

The Raptors enter this game having won and covered the spread in three consecutive contests and are the healthier of the two teams. Lay the points with Toronto.

Pick: Raptors -3.5 (-110)

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

[gameheader haspick=”true” picktext=”Warriors -6 (-112)” league=”nba” awaylogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/343538_pistons.png” awayname=”Detroit Pistons” awayslug=”detroit-pistons” homelogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/759063_Warriors.png” homename=”Golden State Warriors” homeslug=”golden-state-warriors” date=”Saturday, March 8″ time=”8:30 p.m. ET” network=”NBA League Pass” bookname=”DraftKings ” bookprimarylogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/477013_DraftKings@1x.png” bookreviewslug=”draftkings”][/gameheader]

By Bruce Marshall

The Warriors cut it close on Thursday at Brooklyn but did manage to squeeze out a win over the Nets, continuing a surge that has Golden State now ahead of the play-in field in the West.

This advance coincides exactly with the Jimmy Butler acquisition, as Steve Kerr’s guys are are 10-2 since (10-1 with Butler).

Butler’s addition is two-fold on offense, as his better ball control is lessening the need for Steph Curry or Draymond Green to handle the ball and cut down on their often-errant passing, while his ability to drive to the bucket has given opposing defenses something else to worry about, and balancing the floor better for Curry to work.

No doubt, Detroit has improved, but the Pistons looked a bit tired in Wednesday’s 123-115 loss at the Clippers, less than a week after getting whipped by Denver. Pre-Butler, the Dubs also won at Little Caesars Arena by score of 107-104 on January 9. Play Warriors.

Pick: Warriors -6 (-112)

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