The NBA regular season continues with an excellent 9-game slate today — Thursday, March 12.
Our NBA betting experts dug into the latest odds and identified best bets for seven of Thursday's contests, including picks for 76ers vs. Pistons, Celtics vs. Thunder, Bulls vs. Lakers, and more.
Continue below for our NBA best bets, expert picks, and predictions for tonight's slate.
NBA Best Bets Today: Expert Picks for Thursday, March 12
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 7:30 p.m. | |
  | 7 p.m. | |
  | 7 p.m. | |
  | 7:30 p.m. | |
  | 9 p.m. | |
  | 9:30 p.m. | |
  | 10:30 p.m. | |
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. | ||
Bucks vs. Heat Player Prop Pick
By Joe Dellera
The Heat face off against the Bucks on Thursday night, and I’ll target Bam Adebayo in this spot.
Bam just posted a record-setting performance against the Wizards a few nights ago, as he scored the second-most points in a game in NBA history (83).
The Heat were forcing Adebayo the ball and giving him literally all of the usage he could handle. So, I expect him to be gassed.
This line is notably higher than his mark during most of the season.
While Miami has some injuries, this is more of a spot to deviate from him given the insane usage he had last game.
Bam is obviously a peak athlete, but if anybody is ever due for a come-down game, this is the one.
Adebayo has only hit this line in 14-of-58 games this season — and even without Powell and Wiggins, he’s only hit at a 50% clip.
Pick: Bam Adebayo Under 33.5 Points & Rebounds (-120)
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Wizards vs. Magic Prop Bet
Because the Magic played yesterday, books tend to be slower posting numbers on back-to-backs, but there are several ways you could play this.
I have been playing Paolo Banchero over points & rebounds lately.
However, looking at what the Wizards allowed Adebayo to do a few nights ago, and the fact that Paolo and Bam are similar types of players, I think the sky is the limit for Banchero in this spot. So, if the number is anywhere close to 24.5, I’m hammering it until my index finger falls off.
I do think the matchup will factor into the line here, so grab this one early before it starts to rise. The line should probably be a few points higher for this matchup, especially with Orlando’s injuries.
If you are feeling dangerous, Banchero to score 30+ points at plus-money might not be a bad way to look at it either.
Pick: Paolo Banchero Over 24.5 Points (-130)
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76ers vs. Pistons Total Prediction
By Bet Labs
This NBA totals betting system targets regular season games where betting action and market movement are misaligned.
When a majority of wagers lean heavily toward the Over yet the total drops from open to close, it signals sharp money driving the line down despite public sentiment.
In these spots, both teams often come off recent games that exceeded expectations offensively, inflating totals and public confidence in high scoring outcomes.
However, regression and defensive adjustments tend to follow, especially when oddsmakers shade lines higher to match demand.
This setup creates ideal conditions for value on the Under, as professional bettors anticipate slower pace, shooting variance, or fatigue leading to lower scoring than the market expects.
Pick: Under 221.5 (-110)
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Nets vs. Hawks Player Prop Prediction
I like Jalen Johnson to go over his PRA combo line at 41.5, but only if Jonathan Kuminga sits, so I’m not playing it quite yet. This is a wait-and-see situation with the injury report.
Johnson has also had some big rebounding games recently, and the assists have been pretty consistent. He’s finished around 10 assists in four straight games. He did have zero in the game before that, but that’s because he left early.
If Dyson Daniels sits as he’s expected to, that would also help — but this bet is more about whether or not Kuminga will play.
Pick: Jalen Johnson Over 41.5 Points, Rebounds, & Assists (-115)
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Nuggets vs. Spurs Spread Pick
This is a great schedule spot for the Spurs, and we are getting a discounted price — unless Victor Wembanyama ends sitting this one out, but I don't see that happening.
I trust San Antonio as a very well-orchestrated, structured team.
Denver has lacked that kind of structure sometimes, as the Nuggets seem to solely rely on their talent for long stretches, often missing some of that cohesiveness.
I think Wemby is going to play tonight, and if he does, this is a great price tag on the Spurs.
Pick: Spurs -5.5 (-120)
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Celtics vs. Thunder Prop Pick
Action PRO is projecting 8.67 rebounds for Jaylen Brown in the Celtics' matchup against the Thunder tonight, showing a massive 20.6% edge against his current prop line of over/under 6.5, which is good enough to tag the Over with an A+ grade in our database.
Brown was ejected in the first half of his latest outing, as he finished with only two rebounds on 15 minutes of action against the Spurs a few days ago.
However, prior to his latest blunder, Brown recorded 7+ rebounds in eight straight games, while reaching 8+ rebounds in six of those contests; and getting all the way up to 9+ rebounds in three of them.
We will go ahead and lock in our best bet for tonight's game at Over 6.5 Rebounds. However, you could also consider climbing the ladder up to 8+ Rebounds (+120) or 9+ Rebounds (+200) at DraftKings.
Pick: Jaylen Brown Over 6.5 Rebounds (-130)
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Bulls vs. Lakers Over/Under Bet
By Bet Labs
This NBA totals betting system focuses on games where struggling road teams face stronger home opponents in non-conference matchups, creating favorable conditions for high scoring results.
When a poor road team with a low win rate meets a winning home team, defensive effort and intensity often dip for the visitor while the home side pushes the pace and controls offensive rhythm.
Non-conference games tend to feature looser defensive schemes and unfamiliar matchups, leading to faster scoring runs and less resistance in transition.
The data shows that when totals close above the 220 range and the line movement slightly favors the Over, the market correctly anticipates offensive efficiency rather than defensive pressure.
These situations consistently produce games where both teams exceed expectations, with the stronger home team dictating tempo and the weaker visitor contributing enough to push the total past the number.
Pick: Over 237 (-110)
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NBA Best Bets: Quick Picks
What are the best NBA bets today?
Bam Adebayo Under 33.5 Points & Rebounds (-120)
Paolo Banchero Over 24.5 Points (-130)
76ers-Pistons Under 221.5 (-110)
Jalen Johnson Over 41.5 Points, Rebounds & Assists (-115)
Spurs -5.5
Jaylen Brown Over 6.5 Rebounds (-130)
Bulls-Lakers Over 237 (-110)
