The NBA regular season resumes with a relatively light slate this Thursday, with a total of only 5 matchups on the docket scheduled for today. However, 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 NBA picks for all 5 of tonight's contests. Continue below for our NBA best bets and predictions for Thursday, March 20.
NBA Best Bets, Predictions, Picks, Odds: Thursday, March 20
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
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  | 7 p.m. | |
  | 7 p.m. | |
| 7 p.m. | |
  | 10 p.m. | |
  | 10 p.m. | |
  | 10 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. | ||
Knicks vs. Hornets
By Joe Dellera
The Knicks face off against the Hornets tonight after an embarrassing loss to the undermanned Spurs.
This will be their second game in as many days, and although Mitchell Robinson has not been ruled out yet, I expect him to be kept out of this game due to “injury management.” He also sat in the only other back-to-back set he could have played in since returning.
Without Robinson, I expect Karl-Anthony Towns to play more minutes at the center position and have more rebounding opportunities. Couple this with Brunson still being out, and KAT should carry the offensive load in a strong matchup.
Even though Mark Williams is solid, KAT outclasses him and can score from everywhere on the floor.
The Hornets are a soft matchup for opposing centers and have recently been dominated by Zubac, Jokic, and Duren.
Pick: Karl-Anthony Towns Over 40.5 Points + Rebounds + Assists (-115)
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Nets vs. Pacers
The Pacers might be without Tyrese Haliburton tonight, as his back injury continues to linger. The reporting continues to be very wonky around his availability.
If Haliburton were to miss, Nets +8.5 is a fantastic spot on a line that would close around -6.5. If Hali does play, the number would move the other way, but the Pacers are playing teams very tight right now, most recently the Wolves and Mavericks, and taking the Nets to cover would still not be a terrible spot, considering they are also 37-31 ATS this season.
It's nearly impossible to bet early on so many of these games, but Nets plus the points or nothing.
Pick: Nets +8.5 (-110)
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Knicks vs. Hornets
By Alex Hinton
LaMelo Ball is set to return to Charlotte’s lineup after missing Tuesday’s game with a wrist injury. He enters tonight’s action averaging 25.4 points per game. That number has maintained despite some struggles from the field of late. However, he has still scored 24 points in four of his last seven games.
Tonight, Ball gets a Knicks team that will be playing on the second night of a back-to-back. They have allowed at least 113 points in five of nine games this month. Ball has enjoyed facing them as well.
He has scored 30 points against the Knicks in three of his last four games over the last few seasons. New York is 28th in points allowed to point guards, surrendering 25.5 points per game. The Knicks' drop coverage plays into the hands of a lead ball-handler with Ball’s shooting ability.
Speaking of that jumper, Ball has attempted at least 18 field goals in six of his last eight games with eight 3-point attempts in all of them. That type of volume will help clear this line and possibly have another 30-point games against the Knicks.
You can also back him to score 30+ points at +215.
Pick: LaMelo Ball Over 24.5 Points (-120)
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Raptors vs. Warriors
By Bill Marzano
Make no mistakes about it, this is a boatload of points to be giving any NBA team, but I do expect the Warriors to dominate this game from start to finish.
The Warriors are 15-3 since acquiring Jimmy Butler from the Heat on Feb. 6. The Warriors a completely different team with Butler on the court, they score more points per game and averaging six points less per contest as well. Butler gives the Warriors another ball handler when Curry takes a rest, not to mention his abilities on both ends of the court.
The Raptors are coming off a horrible 40-point loss to the Suns and could once again be without several key starters on offense.
The Raptors are 8-25 on the road and won the only meeting of the season between these teams back Jan. 13 in Toronto 104-101. Tonight, I think we'll see the Warriors get revenge and crush the Raptors.
Pick: Warriors -14 (-110)
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Bulls vs. Kings
The Bulls are a pesky team that usually can be counted on for a good effort. They are flying under the point-spread radar, covering 11 of their last 14 games, including going 6-1 ATS in their last seven games.
