NBA Best Bets for March 5: Can the Grizzlies Make a Statement Tonight?
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Spread Astaire
- March 5, 2025
Top NBA Pick: Oklahoma City Thunder -8.5 (-110) at BetOnline (visit our BetOnline Review)
As we get closer to the NBA Playoffs every regular season game becomes more meaningful. We have two such instances tonight in our national televised contests.
First, the Miami Heat will take on the Cleveland Cavaliers. Then, the Oklahoma City Thunder travel to take on the Memphis Grizzlies.
The top team in the East and the top team in the West will both be in action tonight. When looking at these two fun games, who should we back to make winning NBA picks?
Let’s dive into the latest NBA odds from top sportsbooks before locking in your wagers. And check out our YouTube channel for more value picks, featuring the Heat vs. Cavaliers and Pistons vs. Clippers games.
Miami Heat vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
Wednesday, March 05, 2025 – 07:00 PM ET at Rocket Arena
Heat Hanging On
This has not been a good year for the Miami Heat. First, superstar Jimmy Butler demanded his way out of town and was traded to the Golden State Warriors. Then, a huge slew of injuries caused the Heat to have problems competing lately.Still, even though their record is under .500, the Heat are at 7th in the Eastern Conference with a record of 29-31.
The Heat are only 24th in the league in points scored but are 7th in the league at points against. They have a point differential of -0.2. This is in stark contrast to the Cleveland Cavaliers, who are second in the league in points scored at 123.1 points per game. Needless to say, the Cavs’ top tier offense will put the Miami Heat’s defense to the test.
In spite of the injuries that are keeping key players out of the lineup, the Heat have won three of their last five games, including a 106-90 win over the Washington Wizards on Monday night. So while this season has been a disaster for the Heat, they can still potentially make the playoffs and make some noise if they can manage to hang on.
Cavs Keep Rolling
The Cleveland Cavaliers have their eyes on a championship and they made that known when they traveled to Boston to defeat the defending champion Celtics 123-116 last Friday night. The Cavaliers are on an 11-game win streak after defeating the Chicago Bulls last night 139-117. Cleveland will look to extend their winning streak and keep the distance between themselves and Boston. Cleveland currently has the best record in the NBA at 51-10.
The Cavs point differential this season is +11.5 and that makes sense since this line is set at 11. The Heat will have the rest advantage because they had a day off while the Cavaliers played last night.
The Pick
In spite of the slow pace that Miami plays, I like the over in this game. The Cavaliers would have gone over this number in four of their last five games. The Heat would have gone over tonight’s number in three of their last four games. I also lean the Cavaliers to cover the 11 but the best bet for this game is over 227.
NBA Pick: Miami Heat/Cleveland Cavaliers Over 227 (-110) at BetOnline
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Memphis Grizzlies
Wednesday, March 05, 2025 – 09:30 PM ET at FedExForum
Thunder Rolling, Grizzlies Reeling
The Oklahoma City Thunder are in first place in the Western Conference, but the Memphis Grizzlies are in contention this season as well. They are currently in fourth place in the Western Conference with a record of 38-23. While the Grizzlies have no plausible chance to catch the Thunder in the standings, a win tonight could go a long way toward building confidence in getting ready for a potential playoff showdown.
The Grizzlies have been excellent at home this year and they are 22-9 at home. However, the Thunder have been even better on the road. The Thunder are 23-7 when traveling.
Both teams are coming into this game off one day of rest. The Thunder have won four games in a row and are 8-2 over their last 10. The Grizzlies are stumbling as of late, as they have lost three games in a row, and in their last 10, they are 3-7. However, a win tonight could go a long way towards getting the feelings turned around in Memphis.
The Grizzlies will hope to have key pieces in their lineup. Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Santi Aldama are all game time decisions. Because of the importance of this game and the necessity for the Grizzlies to turn things around, I would expect these players to play tonight if they have the opportunity.
Takeaway
Unfortunately for the Grizzlies, I think the streaks will continue. The Thunder will continue to win and the Grizzlies will need to wait before ending their losing streak.
The Thunder are just too solid from top to bottom and since both teams are young and athletic, the Grizzlies do not have their usual advantage of being younger and faster. The Thunder match up with the Grizzlies too well. Take the Oklahoma City Thunder.
NBA Pick: Oklahoma City Thunder -8.5 (-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.
