NBA Best Bets for March 19: Who Will Prevail When the Nuggets Visit the Lakers?
-
Spread Astaire
- March 19, 2025
Top NBA Pick: Denver Nuggets -1.5 (-110) at BetOnline (visit our BetOnline Review)
We have two exciting games on tap tonight as the NBA season marches towards its exciting conclusion. First, the Detroit Pistons will travel to Miami to take on the struggling Heat. Can the Heat turn things around against one of the league’s up and coming teams? Then, we have a growing rivalry with the Denver Nuggets taking on the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Nuggets have had the Lakers number recently as the Nuggets 131-126 win over the Lakers on Friday night will attest. Will tonight be different for the Nuggets? When these crucial games tip off, who should you back to make winning NBA picks?
Let’s analyze the latest NBA odds from top sportsbooks before you place your bets!
Detroit Pistons vs. Miami Heat
Wednesday, March 19, 2025 – 07:30 PM EDT at Kaseya Center
Miami’s Free Fall Continues
The Miami Heat are in a free fall. In the column I wrote for Monday night’s games, we discussed the Heat and their problems since the Jimmy Butler trade. Those problems continued as my prognostication was correct and the Heat fell to the New York Knicks on Monday night.
Now the Heat have a losing streak of eight games in a row. In past years, a match up with the Detroit Pistons would be something that teams would be looking forward to in order to turn things around. However, this year the Detroit Pistons are not the pushover they once were. The Pistons are 38-31, they are in sixth place in the Eastern Conference, and have a serious candidate for Most Improved Player as Cade Cunningham has moved himself into discussions of the top 10 players in the league.
Cunningham Leading the Charge
Cunningham has been fantastic this year averaging 25.6 points and 9.3 assists this season. He’s shooting 46% from the field and 35% from three. He has recorded eight triple-doubles and 29 double doubles this season.
Aside from Cade Cunningham, the Pistons have also had a boost from Ausar Thompson. Although Thompson does not put up gaudy stats, his ability to defend and run the floor has been huge for the Pistons. Thompson is a versatile defender and can guard positions one through four on the opposing teams. Thompson is usually matched up against the opposition’s best player.
So all things are pointing up for the Pistons and all things are going in the wrong direction for the Miami Heat. The Pistons will use tonight’s game to solidify themselves as a true playoff team in the East, taking out one of the Eastern Conference stalwarts for the past 15 years. Even though Miami does not have impressive statistics this season, the Pistons still know what they are capable of and a win over the Heat will help the Pistons build momentum.
Takeaway
I will continue to fade the Heat until they show signs of life. Detroit matches up with them well and has had success against Miami ATS. The Pistons are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 against Miami. Fade the floundering Heat. Take the Pistons -5.5.
NBA Pick: Detroit Pistons -5.5 (-110) at BetOnline
Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Lakers
Wednesday, March 19, 2025 – 10:00 PM EDT at Crypto.com Arena
Luka Takes Center Stage
The Los Angeles Lakers are on top of the world after acquiring MVP candidate Luka Doncic. The team will be reliant on Luka tonight as LeBron James will miss this game with a groin injury. Yet the Lakers are not the only team suffering from injuries as Nuggets stars Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, and Christian Braun are all game time decisions.
Murray and Jokic missed the Nuggets last game against the Warriors but the Nuggets were able to prevail. I will not be surprised, however, to see the Nuggets dynamic duo back in the lineup tonight.
The Lakers are coming off a 125-109 win over the San Antonio Spurs on Monday night in which Austin Reaves scored 31 points and Luka Doncic had 21 points with 14 assists. The Lakers are firing on all cylinders as of late and will be looking to make a statement at home tonight against a team that has given them problems.
Why do the Lakers have problems when they match up against the Nuggets? The same reason every team does. The Lakers simply have no answer for the Nuggets star Nikola Jokic. The Lakers are a smaller, quicker team right now and are vulnerable to teams with size. The Lakers also do not boast elite perimeter defense, which allows players like Jamal Murray to get wide open scoring opportunities.
Takeaway
The Lakers’ defense has improved lately. The Lakers will be eager to show that to the world in tonight’s matchup. Tonight will be a test for the Lakers’ recent renewed commitment on the defensive end.
Denver is 8-2 in their last 10 against the Lakers. With such a short spread it is basically just “pick the winner”. Take the Nuggets -1.5.
NBA Pick: Denver Nuggets -1.5 (-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.
