NBA Betting Picks: 3/1/21

There is an excellent slate of NBA games tonight, with most spreads sitting around four-five points. Some of the highlight games tonight are the Nets taking on San Antonio and the Jazz facing the Pelicans. Lamelo Ball and the Hornets travel to Portland in what should be a fun game, but the line is moving more towards Portland with the Hayward injury news and Graham still being out.

Utah Jazz -7 Vs. New Orleans Pelicans

The Jazz has been rolling through this season as one of the best teams in the league. What is more impressive is that they are 23-8 against the spread as favorites and are 25-9 against the spread overall this season. The Jazz covers 65% of the time on the road and travels to New Orleans tonight to take on a good Pelicans team. Offensively the Pelicans have been rolling but rank 26th in defense, where the Jazz rank 3rd. Utah has beaten the Pelicans 129-118 and 118-102 in the two meetings this year. Utah is going to put up big points against this group, and the defense is going to be able to make it tough on the Pelicans. This is a vast mismatch in the West, and I like Utah to keep rolling.

Cleveland Cavaliers +106 Vs. Houston Rockets

Cleveland comes into tonight as two-point dogs on the road against Houston. There are quite a few players on both sides out with DeMarcus Cousins gone and Christian Wood out tonight. Eric Gordon is also questionable. Cleveland will be without Andre Drummond, but they can recover with Jarrett Allen. I like the way the Cavs matchup here, as Allen will have his way against a weak frontcourt defense. Darius Garland and Collin Sexton are in a good spot, with Houston ranking 21st against backcourts defensive efficiency. Neither of these teams is particularly good, nor have they covered well.

Jamal Murray Over 24.5 Points (-114)

Chicago's backcourt defense has struggled this season, and the Bulls rank bottom five against point guards in defensive efficiency and have allowed the 9th most points per game to the position. Jamal Murray has begun to play better, averaging 32.8 points in his last five games, shooting 59% from the field and 58% from three. Certainly unsustainably over a longer period of time but love the matchup to keep up the hot streak. The offense continues to revolve around him and Jokic.