NBA Best Bets for March 12: Potential NBA Finals Preview Tonight
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Spread Astaire
- March 12, 2025
Top NBA Pick: Boston Celtics – 4.5 (-110) at BetOnline (visit our BetOnline Review)
We have nine games on the NBA slate, including two intriguing matchups that will be nationally televised.
First, we have a potential NBA Finals preview: The Oklahoma City Thunder will travel to Boston to take on the Celtics. How will the number one team in the West fare against the defending NBA champs? Secondly, the Minnesota Timberwolves take on the Denver Nuggets. This should be a fun matchup between two quality Western Conference teams.
In these important games, who should you back at the top-rated sportsbooks to make a winning NBA pick?
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Boston Celtics
Wednesday, March 12, 2025 – 07:30 PM ET at TD Garden
These two teams are both heavy favorites to make the NBA Finals this season, and this could be our sneak preview of how that series will look. The Boston Celtics will have a rest advantage because this will be their seventh game in a row at home. During this time, the Celtics are 5-1. Their only loss on this homestand was to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Oklahoma City Thunder also come into this game on a nice streak, however, they lost their most recent game. The Thunder had their seven-game win streak snapped by the Denver Nuggets on Monday night.
A Tale of Two Halves
These teams have faced off once this season on January 5th. That game was played in Oklahoma City and the Thunder won 105-92.
In that game, the Thunder’s defense was impressive. The Celtics only scored 27 points during the second half. Boston failed to convert its open looks from three and finished 9-46 from behind the 3-point line.
We can certainly expect the Celtics to shoot better from three at home.
Elite Offense, Even Better Defense
These two teams have excellent offensive players, but the reason they are so good is their defense:
- The Thunder are second in the league in points against at 107.1.
- The Celtics are third in the league in points against at 108.2.
Both teams are 8-2 over the last 10 games. The Thunder have a better point differential this season, as they are +12.6 and the Celtics are +8.7.
The Pick
I think the Celtics will avenge their previous loss here and even up this season series between these two teams.
Even though the Thunder have the better point differential, this game means so much to both teams that we can throw the stats out the window. The Celtics won’t shoot as badly as they did from 3 in the first matchup.
With some positive regression in their shooting and the home-court advantage, the Celtics will make a statement and get it done. Take the Boston Celtics -4.5.
NBA Pick: Boston Celtics – 4.5 (-110) at BetOnline
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Denver Nuggets
Wednesday, March 12, 2025 – 10:00 PM ET at Ball Arena
The Denver Nuggets recently split two games played in Oklahoma City against the top team in the West, the Thunder. After falling short on Sunday night, the Nuggets bounced back with a vengeance and got a 140-127 win over Oklahoma City on Monday night. Now, they look to capitalize on that momentum when they take on the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Nuggets are currently 42-23 and are second in the Western Conference. Although they have won the championship within the last two years, the Nuggets are flying under the radar this year. Still, it is unlikely that Minnesota will overlook them tonight.
Rolling Into the Playoffs?
The Minnesota Timberwolves come into this game on a five-game win streak.
Although they have not beaten top competition during this streak, it is still a welcome sign for a Timberwolves team that is trying to climb into a playoff spot. The Timberwolves are currently 7th in the Western Conference at 37-29, so every game matters for this team if they want to avoid the play-in tournament.
Although some question the fit of Julius Randle on the Timberwolves, he seems to have found some chemistry with his teammates as of late. During the five-game win streak, Randle has averaged:
- 17.6 points
- 8.2 rebounds
- 7.2 assists
The Timberwolves have won the last 10 games that Julius Randle has played.
Another player that has been key during this streak is Donte DiVincenzo, who is shooting over 50% from three in the last five games. The Timberwolves will need his clutch shot-making against a higher level of competition tonight.
The Pick
The Nuggets aren’t laying many points, and I always like taking Denver at home. The altitude can be a lot for even a young, fit team like the Timberwolves.
Denver is playing well lately but has been overshadowed by the Thunder and the new-look Lakers. The Timberwolves will have no answer for Nikola Jokic. Bet this now as I expect Denver to take money throughout the day.
NBA Pick: Denver Nuggets -3 (-110) at BetOnline
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.
