NBA: Picks & Preview for Raptors vs Suns, Timberwolves vs Pacers, Bulls vs Warriors

Warriors Look to Build on Recent Strong Play

The Golden State Warriors (33-28, 9^th in the Western Conference) are 7-3 in their past ten, and host the Chicago Bulls (30-22, 9^th in the Eastern Conference) tonight. The Warriors are currently just 2.5 games away from sixth in the conference standings and the guaranteed playoff spot that comes with it. 

Meanwhile the Minnesota Timberwolves (43-19, 1^st in the Western Conference) visit Indiana to take on the Pacers (35-28, 8^th in the Eastern Conference), and the Toronto Raptors (23-39, 12^th in the Eastern Conference) are in Phoenix (36-26, 6^th in the Western Conference) to take on the Suns, who currently hold that spot that the Warriors are chasing.

NBA Schedule: Game Details

Game 1: Raptors vs. Suns Insights

The Raptors begin a four-game road trip (Mar. 7-13) tonight, having won four of its last six games in Phoenix, dating back to Dec. 13, 2017. The Raptors defeated the Suns 112-105 at home earlier this year and are looking for their first season series sweep against Phoenix since the 2019-20 campaign. The Raptors enter tonight's contest having won a season-high three straight games on the road (Feb. 7-26).

On the injury front: SF Scottie Barnes (hand) and Jakob Poeltl (finder) are out. With both those players out, the Raptors were blown out 139-98 by the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday. Now, with a team on pace to lose 50 games, it’s about player development. Likely starters tonight are G Ochai Agbaji, SG RJ Barrett, C Kelly Olynyk, SG Gary Trent Jr. and PG Immanuel Quickley. 

SF Bruce Brown (knee) is also out for the Raptors.

🏀 Bet on Raptors vs. Suns at DraftKings 🏀

Barrett has shot 50 percent from the field in a career high-tying five straight games (Feb. 26 - Mar. 5), averaging 22.2 points over this span, while shooting .605 (46-76) from the field and .524 (11-21) from three-point range. Quickley is averaging a career-best 4.2 assists this year, including 6.1 assists with Toronto since coming over from the Knicks in December.

The Suns are coming off a massive win Tuesday – 117-107 over the powerhouse Denver Nuggets, and they’ll be looking to build on that momentum. Kevin Durant, leading the team in points (27.9) and FG% (52.4), took over that Nuggets game in overtime, with eight points (35 points in the game overall).

C Jusuf Nurkic has played like a beast lately – a franchise record 31 rebounds two games again against Oklahoma and another 12 against Denver. G Devin Booker missed that Denver game with an ankle issue, and he will remain out tonight.

Player Props

If you’re into online betting, according to BetMGM, most bet player props are Jusuf Nurkic Under 31.5 Total Points + Rebounds + Assists (1.77), Immanuel Quickley Over 26.5 Total Points + Assists (1.77) and Royce O’Neal Over 5.5 Rebounds (1.83).

And at BetRivers, most wagered-on player props by percentage of total handle so far: Royce O'Neal Under 5.5 rebounds (1.97) – 6.3%; Jusuf Nurkic Under 31.5 pts/rebs/asts (1.74) – 4.8%; R.J. Barrett Over 1.5 made 3-pointers (1.94) – 1.9%. By percentage of total volume, it’s Bradley Beal First FG Scorer (6.50) – 4.9%; Kevin Durant Over 25.5 points (1,32) – 1.9%, Kevin Durant Over 1.5 made 3-pointers (1.34) – 1.6%.

Game 2: Timberwolves vs. Pacers Insights

The Timberwolves are tied with Oklahoma for first in the Western Conference, with the Thunder hosting the Miami Heat tomorrow night, and have a four-game road winning streak coming into this game. This is the first of a six-game road trip for them. Minnesota ended a seven-game homestand Monday with a 119-114 win over the Portland Trailblazers, led by Rudy Gobert’s 25 points, 16 rebounds and three blocks.

F/C Karl-Anthony Towns is out, though, dealing with a knee issue, and that’s a huge loss for the Timberwolves. PG Jordan McLaughlin is listed as questionable due to an illness.

🏀 Bet on Timberwolves vs. Pacers at FanDuel 🏀

The Pacers are led by former Raptors Pascal Siakam, who leads the team in scoring with a 21.6 points per game average. SF Doug McDermott has been ruled out tonight with a calf issue, as has SG Bennedict Mathurin, with a shoulder sprain, according to ESPN.

Pacers PG Tyrese Haliburton, who leads the team with 11.3 assist per game, did not play the last time these teams met, Dec. 16, with the Timberwolves winning 127-109. The Pacers beat the Dallas Mavericks Tuesday in their last game, 137-120, led by C Myles Turner’s 20 points.

Player Props

On the NBA betting front, most bet player props at BetMGM are Anthony Edwards Over 30.5 Points (1.83), Myles Turner Over 1.5 Three Pointers Made (2.15) and Mike Conley Under 12.5 Points (1.91). 

And at BetRivers, most wagered-on player props by percentage of total handle so far: Anthony Edwards Over 29.5 points (1.73) – 6.1%; Myles Turner to record a double-double (5.60) – 2.1%; Myles Turner first FG scorer (9.00) – 1.0%. And by percentage of total volume: Rudy Gobert first FG scorer (6.00) – 4.7%; Anthony Edwards Over 29.5 points (1.73) – 2.0%; Tyrese Haliburton Over 16.5 points (1.51) – 1.8%.

Game 3: Bulls vs. Warriors Insights

At BetMGM this morning, the majority of spread bets (61%) and moneyline bets (92%) are on the Warriors, a team that generates a lot of betting interest in Ontario.

The Warriors are healthy and are coming on of late. Yeah, they got blown out 140-88 by the Boston Celtics on Sunday but they came back in impressive fashion last night, beating the Milwaukee Bucks 125-90, led by PG Stephen Curry’s 29 points. 

Canadian SF Andrew Wiggins returned to the lineup, and the Warriors were also sparked by rookie F Trayce Jackson-Davis’ four big blocks, including two on the Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo.

🏀 Bet on Bulls vs. Warriors at BetMGM 🏀

For the Bulls, F Dalen Terry (personal) and SF Torrey Craig (knee) didn’t play in their last game, a 119-117 win over the Utah Jazz last night, led by DeMar DeRozan’s 29 points. Still waiting on the Bull’s injury report for tonight. 

The Warriors have won 12 of 15 and beat the Bulls in their last meeting – 140-131 in Chicago in January. The Bulls have won two in a row. 

Player Props

At BetMGM, most bet player props this morning are DeMar DeRozan Over 21.5 Points (1.83), Draymond Green Over 5.5 Assists (2.20) and Green Over 19.5 Total Points + Rebounds + Assists (1.83).

Our NBA Picks Today

The Suns are going to beat the Raptors, but 10.5 points? The Raptors’ 18^th-ranked offence plays the Suns’ 16^th-ranked defense. We’re going to take the Raptors ATS at FanDuel. 

Towns is out and Haliburton is in for Minnesota-Indiana, with the Pacers favoured – so we like the Over (228.5) at BetMGM in that game. 

Bulls and Warriors? The Bulls’ road record is 14-17, and despite that Celtics game, it’s tough to slide on the Warriors these days. Bet Warriors ATS at 888 Sport. Curry will find ways to pick apart that Bull’s defense.