Category: Basketball

Basketball News

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LaVine, Garland out for Kings-Cavs game; LaRavia questionable

LaVine, Garland out for Kings-Cavs game; LaRavia questionable originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The Kings will be without another key starter as they face the best team in the NBA.

Zach LaVine was a late scratch from Wednesday’s game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday night at Golden 1 Center due to personal reasons, per the NBA’s latest injury report.

He joins Kings star center Domantas Sabonis as the players ruled out for Wednesday’s contest. Sabonis suffered a moderate right ankle sprain and will miss at least Sacramento’s next six games before he is re-evaluated next Friday.

LaVine, who was traded to Sacramento as part of the blockbuster deal that sent De’Aaron Fox to the San Antonio Spurs, is averaging 22.7 points on 52.7-percent shooting from the field and 44.1 percent from 3-point range in 18 games with the Kings, along with 3.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists in 36.5 minutes.

Kings second-year forward Jake LaRavia, who Sacramento also acquired at the trade deadline, was questionable with an illness but later downgraded to out. The 23-year-old quickly has become a fan favorite in the 916. Through 15 games with the Kings, averaging 5.4 points on 41.1-percent shooting from the field and 36.6 percent from downtown, with 2.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 0.9 steals in 18.6 minutes off the bench.

For Cleveland (56-12, first in the Eastern Conference), two-time NBA All-Star guard Darius Garland is out due to rest. Garland is averaging 20.9 points on 47.6-percent shooting from the field and 40.7 percent from long-range, with 2.7 rebounds, 6.7 assists and 1.2 steals in 30.5 minutes through 64 games this season.

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Pistons vs. Heat Predictions: Odds, expert picks, recent stats, trends and best bets for March 19

It’s Wednesday, March 19, and the Detroit Pistons (38-31) and Miami Heat (29-39) are all set to square off from Kaseya Center in Miami.

The Pistons are currently 20-15 on the road with a point differential of 2, while the Heat have a 3-7 record in their last ten games at home. Detroit is 2-1 against Miami this season with both wins coming by one possession in OT.

The Pistons are 1-2 in the last three games, but are coming off a 46-point win over the Pelicans, while the Heat have dropped a season-high eight straight games.

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Listen to the Rotoworld Basketball Show for the latest fantasy player news, waiver claims, roster advice and more from our experts all season long. Click here or download it wherever you get your podcasts.

Game details & how to watch Pistons vs. Heat live today

  • Date: Wednesday, March 19, 2025
  • Time: 7:30PM EST
  • Site: Kaseya Center
  • City: Miami, FL
  • Network/Streaming:

Never miss a second of the action and stay up to date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day NBA schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game.

Game odds for Pistons vs. Heat

The latest odds as of Wednesday:

  • Odds: Pistons (-214), Heat (+178)
  • Spread:  Pistons -4.5
  • Over/Under: 217 points

That gives the Pistons an implied team point total of 110.37, and the Heat 107.51.

Want to know which sportsbook is offering the best lines for every game on the NBA calendar? Check out the NBC Sports’ Live Odds tool to get all the latest updated info from DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM & more!

Expert picks & predictions for Wednesday’s Pistons vs. Heat game

NBC Sports Bet Best Bet

Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) leans the Pistons to cover versus the Heat:

"Detroit is coming off a 46-point win and rested a majority of their players from the third quarter on against the Pelicans, while Miami lost its eight-straight game. Miami is struggling to compete for four full quarters, so this is a Detroit or pass spot."

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the NBA calendar based on data points like recent performance, head-to-head player matchups, trends information and projected game totals.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projections next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for today’s Pistons & Heat game:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Miami Heat at +5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Game Total of 217.

Want even more NBA best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert NBA Predictions pagefrom NBC Sports for money line, spread and over/under picks for every game on today’s calendar!

Important stats, trends & insights to know ahead of Pistons vs. Heat on Wednesday

  • The Heat have won 8 of their last 10 home games against the Pistons
  • The Pistons' last 3 road games have stayed under the Total
  • The Pistons have covered the Spread in 9 of their last 11 road games against the Heat
  • The Heat have won 3 straight home games against the Pistons

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our NBA Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

- Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)

- Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)

- Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)

- Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)

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Rockets vs. Magic Predictions: Odds, expert picks, recent stats, trends and best bets for March 19

It’s Wednesday, March 19, and the Houston Rockets (44-25) and Orlando Magic (32-37) are all set to square off from Kia Center in Orlando.

The Rockets are currently 18-14 on the road with a point differential of 5, while the Magic have a 3-7 record in their last ten games at home. These teams met for the first time this season on March 10 and Houston won 97-84.

This is the final matchup between the two and Orlando is 3-2 in the last five games after losing five straight, while Houston is on a seven-game winning streak.

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Listen to the Rotoworld Basketball Show for the latest fantasy player news, waiver claims, roster advice and more from our experts all season long. Click here or download it wherever you get your podcasts.

Game details & how to watch Rockets vs. Magic live today

  • Date: Wednesday, March 19, 2025
  • Time: 7:00PM EST
  • Site: Kia Center
  • City: Orlando, FL
  • Network/Streaming:

Never miss a second of the action and stay up to date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day NBA schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game.

Game odds for Rockets vs. Magic

The latest odds as of Wednesday:

  • Odds: Rockets (-145), Magic (+121)
  • Spread:  Rockets -2.5
  • Over/Under: 209 points

That gives the Rockets an implied team point total of 105.24, and the Magic 103.93.

Want to know which sportsbook is offering the best lines for every game on the NBA calendar? Check out the NBC Sports’ Live Odds tool to get all the latest updated info from DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM & more!

Expert picks & predictions for Wednesday’s Rockets vs. Magic game

NBC Sports Bet Best Bet

Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) leans the Magic +2.5 against the Rockets:

"Houston is on a seven-game winning streak with one of those victories coming over Orlando (97-84), however, six of the past seven games for the Rockets have come in Houston. This is the first road game since March 6 for Houston. Orlando is coming off a three-game home stand themselves and an upset win over Cleveland that should give this team some confidence. I don't hate the Under, but this would be Orlando or pass for me."

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the NBA calendar based on data points like recent performance, head-to-head player matchups, trends information and projected game totals.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projections next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for today’s Rockets & Magic game:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Orlando Magic at +2.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Game Total of 209.

Want even more NBA best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert NBA Predictions pagefrom NBC Sports for money line, spread and over/under picks for every game on today’s calendar!

Important stats, trends & insights to know ahead of Rockets vs. Magic on Wednesday

  • The Rockets have won 4 of their last 5 at Eastern Conference Southeast Division teams
  • The Total went under in 21 of the Magic's 34 home games this season
  • The Magic have covered in 4 of their last 5 games
  • The Magic have won 8 of 14 home games following a win

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our NBA Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

- Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)

- Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)

- Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)

- Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)

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Mavericks vs. Pacers Predictions: Odds, expert picks, recent stats, trends and best bets for March 19

It’s Wednesday, March 19, and the Dallas Mavericks (33-36) and Indiana Pacers (38-29) are all set to square off from Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

The Mavericks are currently 14-20 on the road with a point differential of 0, while the Pacers have a 8-2 record in their last ten games at home. The Pacers are 1-0 against the Mavericks this season with a 134-127 win in Dallas. This marks the final meeting between the two.

The Pacers are back at home after a three-game road trip where they went 2-1 capped off by a 132-130 OT win over the Timberwolves. Dallas has lost seven of the past eight games and currently on a three-game losing streak. The Mavericks lost the 76ers, 130-125 in the last time out.

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Listen to the Rotoworld Basketball Show for the latest fantasy player news, waiver claims, roster advice and more from our experts all season long. Click here or download it wherever you get your podcasts.

Game details & how to watch Mavericks vs. Pacers live today

  • Date: Wednesday, March 19, 2025
  • Time: 7:00PM EST
  • Site: Gainbridge Fieldhouse
  • City: Indianapolis, IN
  • Network/Streaming:

Never miss a second of the action and stay up to date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day NBA schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game.

Game odds for Mavericks vs. Pacers

The latest odds as of Wednesday:

  • Odds: Mavericks (+261), Pacers (-329)
  • Spread:  Pacers -10.5
  • Over/Under: 234.5 points

That gives the Mavericks an implied team point total of 115.82, and the Pacers 120.26.

Want to know which sportsbook is offering the best lines for every game on the NBA calendar? Check out the NBC Sports’ Live Odds tool to get all the latest updated info from DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM & more!

Expert picks & predictions for Wednesday’s Mavericks vs. Pacers game

NBC Sports Bet Best Bet

Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) leans the Pacers to cover:

"Dallas is currently in its worst stretch of the season and the year is lost after the Luka Doncic trade. That was evident in a loss to the 76ers where they were -6.5 to -8.5 favorites. The Mavericks are running low on players and the Pacers have played much better at home than on the road, so I would lean the Pacers to cover and get the sweep over the Mavs. This spread opened at -8.5 and moved to -10.5. I prefer staying at -10 or lower."

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the NBA calendar based on data points like recent performance, head-to-head player matchups, trends information and projected game totals.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projections next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for today’s Mavericks & Pacers game:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Indiana Pacers on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Dallas Mavericks at +8.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Game Total of 234.

Want even more NBA best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert NBA Predictions pagefrom NBC Sports for money line, spread and over/under picks for every game on today’s calendar!

Important stats, trends & insights to know ahead of Mavericks vs. Pacers on Wednesday

  • The Pacers have won 4 of their last 5 matchups against Western Conference Southwest Division teams
  • Each of the Mavericks' last 3 road games with the Pacers have stayed under the Total
  • The Pacers are 1-4 against the spread in their last 5 games
  • Betting the Mavericks on the Money Line in all their road games this season is showing a 107% return on investment

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our NBA Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

- Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)

- Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)

- Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)

- Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)