The market is finding it hard to split streaking Indiana (42-29) and stumbling Los Angeles Lakers – who are fourth in their respective conferences – ahead of this key clash.
Indiana have won their last five, most recently with Tyrese Haliburton (24 pts, 11 ast) leading them to a 119-103 home victory over Minnesota.
The return of LeBron James has been unable to prevent LA Lakers from slumping to three straight losses, going down to Chicago (146-115) and Orlando (118-106) in jarring fashion with the ‘King’ back in the line-up. Luka Doncic scored 32-plus points in both defeats.
LA Lakers have won six of their last nine against Indiana, including a 124-117 result at home in February with Austin Reaves going off for 45 points.
Indiana have won of the strongest ATS records in the league at home (24-10) and have won their last eight at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. There’s good value in their hot run continuing.
New York (44-26) are looking to consolidate third place in the Eastern Conference, while LA Clippers (40-31) are striving to stay in touch with the West’s top six.
New York are just 6-6 in March, but they are coming off consecutive home wins – over lowly pair Washington (122-103) and, yesterday, Dallas (128-113). OG Anunoby top-scored with 35 points against Dallas, while Karl-Anthony Towns (26 pts, 12 reb, 11 ast) racked up a triple-double.
Los Angeles Clippers have won eight of their last 10, including victories over Cleveland and Memphis last week with Kawhi Leonard and James Harden in great touch. They were tipped up 103-101 by West-leading Oklahoma City in their most recent outing.
LA Clippers have won four of their last five against New York, including a 105-95 home win earlier this month. Harden (27 pts, 7 ast) led the way for LAC.
This is just the third time New York have gone into a home game as an underdog this season, going 0-2 against the line so far. LA Clippers are an equally unimpressive 5-11 ATS as an away favourite; the visitors are also 18-8 against East teams this season and have a decent advantage form-wise.
High-profile rivals Denver and Milwaukee complete their regular season series at Ball Arena – and both sides are desperate to regain some momentum.
Denver (45-28) are 6-7 in March, with a 129-119 home loss to Chicago two days ago their third in four games. Nikola Jokic has missed their last five games but is listed as probable for this one.
Milwaukee (40-31) are 7-6 in March and coming off a 108-106 loss in Phoenix, despite Giannis Antetokounmpo’s (31 pts, 10 reb) typically industrious efforts. ‘The Greek Freak’ is listed as questionable for this one, while Damian Lillard is sidelined indefinitely.
Milwaukee took the win 121-112 at home when the teams met in late-February. Antetokounmpo (28 pts, 19 reb, 7 ast) and Jokic (32 pts, 14 reb, 10 ast) duelled spectacularly, but Denver faded in the second half.
Milwaukee are 8-12 against the line as an away underdog and Jokic’s return should spark a much-needed turnaround for Denver.
Phoenix and Boston square off for the first time this season, with the hosts looking for a third straight big scalp from the East.
Clinging to 10th in the Western Conference, Phoenix (35-37) are on an increasingly impressive four-game winning streak. They rolled Cleveland 123-112 and Milwaukee 108-106 in recent days with Kevin Durant tallying 80 points in total.
Second-placed Boston (53-19) are the NBA’s form team, going 11-1 in March. They’ve won all three games on this road trip so far – at Utah, Portland and Sacramento – by 13-plus points.
Boston have won four of the teams’ last five encounters, including both games last season by double-digit margins.
Jayson Tatum is listed as doubtful to suit up for Boston, which makes Phoenix mighty tempting $2.40 outsiders. Boston are 17-15-1 against the line as away favourites, while Phoenix are 5-5 ATS as a home underdog. But with KD in a mood, the run is a strong chance of continuing.