NBA Picks 3/21/22
Tonight’s slate has the potential to be great. Six of the nine games have playoff implications for both teams. As the season comes to a close and teams fight for seeding, we will try to avoid games in which both teams are out of the playoff hunt. This is the part of the calendar where team’s are shameless about their attempt to improve their lottery odds. Expect late additions to the injury report and questionable rotations. From a gambling perspective, there is too much uncertainty. Instead, let’s focus on games where at least one of the teams has skin in the game. We move our attention to the NBA Picks 3/21/22.
New Orleans Pelicans at Charlotte Hornets (-6) 7:10 p.m EST
For the Charlotte Hornets, they are a game behind the Brooklyn Nets for the 8th seed. The 8th seed would give them to cracks at getting out of the play-in tournament as opposed to playing the Atlanta Hawks in a do-or-die scenario. For the New Orleans Pelicans, they simply have to avoid a late-season collapse. They are 2.5 games up on the Spurs and will be fighting for their playoff lives but Brandon Ingram being out will be the difference tonight.
Pick: Charlotte Hornets -6 (-110 via DraftKings)
Minnesota Timberwolves at Dallas Mavericks (-3.5) 8:30 p.m EST.
This game is as close to a must-win for the Dallas Mavericks as you can get at this point in the season. After a two-game losing streak, Dallas is in danger of falling to the 7th seed. With two games against the Timberwolves this week, their playoff future could be decided soon. Neither team is well equipped to defend the other team’s best player but we will give the edge to Luka Doncic. With Dinwiddie back after a two-game absence, I expect the Mavericks will be relentless in attacking the paint and exposing Karl-Anthony Towns’ defense or lack thereof.
Pick: Dallas Mavericks -2.5 (-110 via DraftKings)
Toronto Raptors at Chicago Bulls (-3.5) 8:00 p.m EST.
Yes, OG Anunoby is out with injury. Yes, Fred Van Vleet is questionable and hasn’t looked like himself lately. Yes, we are still backing the Toronto Raptors tonight. There’s an argument they are simply better than the Chicago Bulls and getting 3.5 points is too good to pass up.
