NBA Expert Picks and Best Bets | Mar 28

The anticipation is palpable as the Celtics and Hawks geared up for their looming showdown. Sportsbooks installed Boston as a sizable 17.5-point favorite in the marquee matchup. Meanwhile, the high-flying Bucks were in a virtual toss-up against the upstart Pelicans, installed as slight 2.5-point favorites at betting windows everywhere. 

As fans and basketball bettors alike pondered the complex dynamics at play in each Eastern Conference clash, prop bets emerged, which allowed wagering on individual stars, such as whether the red-hot Jayson Tatum could outduel Atlanta's efforts and surpass his lofty scoring projections. 

While the analyses of the contests and enticing proposition wagers engaged hoops observers and bettors alike, the outcomes and potential rewards still hung in the balance, with immense intrigue building toward the climactic battles to come. Let us delve deeper into the nuances of each contest to uncover where the value may lie in making impactful wagers toward an electric night of NBA action.

Celtics -17.5 | -108 at FanDuel

In the highly anticipated NBA matchup between the Boston Celtics and the Atlanta Hawks, the Celtics are heavily favored to dominate with an enormous projected scoring gap of 17.5 points at FanDuel Sportsbook, signaling widespread expectations for Boston to crush Atlanta. Despite losing to the Hawks recently, the Celtics still boast an impressive record of 57 wins and 15 losses this season and feature a potent offensive attack spearheaded by star Jayson Tatum. 

Tatum exploded for 37 points in their last meeting, demonstrating his ability to spark the Celtics' scoring firepower singlehandedly. With potent firepower on offense and hunger to avenge their prior defeat, the Celtics are primed to come out guns blazing from the opening tip. Meanwhile, the Hawks, possessing a record of just 32 wins and 39 losses, have struggled mightily on defense all year, permitting an average of over 120 points per contest. Despite De'Andre Hunter's impactful outing against Boston last time, the Hawks face an uphill battle against the formidable Celtics lineup. 

Given such an enormous spread favoring the Celtics, they are expected to secure an emphatic victory and cover the spread with room to spare. While the Hawks may scrap and claw, the Celtics' offensive bombardment and determination to right the wrong from their previous meeting should see them emerge triumphant by a considerable margin when the final buzzer sounds. Therefore, with 17.5 points of wiggle room in their favor, according to the oddsmakers, the Celtics are the smart bet to win, cover the spread, and reassert their dominance over the Hawks once more.

Heat +2.5 | -115 at BetMGM

While the high-powered Bucks hold the oddsmakers' favor at -2.5 points against the Pelicans, New Orleans' dynamic home court could level the playing field. Milwaukee limps in losing to the Lakers, but Giannis Antetokounmpo's dominant effort of 29 points and 21 rebounds indicates their weapons remain sharp. Ranking fourth in scoring and twelfth in defense, the Bucks pose a daunting challenge. 

However, the Pelicans' gutsy 44-28 record demonstrates their resilience, led by Zion Williamson's impressive outing of 29 points and ten assists in their narrow defeat to Oklahoma City. Though allowing an average of 110.5 points per game raises doubts about New Orleans' defense against Milwaukee's potent attack, the Smoothie King Center may instill confidence in a Pelicans squad aiming to cover the spread. 

With +2.5 odds at BetMGM Sportsbook, the Pelicans can seize momentum on their home turf and surprise the Bucks, keeping the margin close enough to satisfy bettors backing the underdog. While the Bucks may still eke out a victory, the Pelicans are poised to battle tooth and nail, making them an alluring long-shot selection for those searching for value. Therefore, with a +2.5 point handicap, the Pelicans offer more compelling odds to either win or stay within 2.5 points of the Bucks in what promises to be a thrilling showdown.

Jayson Tatum over 26.5 points | -130 at DraftKings

For the Jayson Tatum over/under points prop bet versus the Atlanta Hawks, the line has been established at 26.5 points with over odds of -130 at DraftKings Sportsbook. Tatum, a prolific scorer for the Boston Celtics, has averaged 27.3 points per game this season. In recent outings, he has consistently performed admirably, scoring 37 points against the Hawks in their last meeting, 26 against the Bulls, and 31 points versus the Bucks.

Given Tatum's remarkable scoring prowess and recent performances, choosing the over on 26.5 points seems reasonable. Against the Hawks previously, Tatum demonstrated that he can capitalize on scoring opportunities and substantially contribute to the Celtics' offense. With his versatility and scoring aptitude, Tatum will likely have another impactful outing against the Hawks.

Additionally, the Celtics are facing a favorable matchup against the Hawks, who have struggled defensively this season. Tatum's ability to create chances to score for himself and make the most of mismatches renders him a prime candidate to exceed the 26.5-point mark.

Considering Tatum's consistent scoring output and the favorable matchup against the Hawks, Jayson Tatum's over 26.5 points appears to be a solid pick for this prop bet. Fans seeking to benefit from Tatum's scoring ability should consider betting on the over to potentially earn a favorable return on their investment.