NBA Preview: March 31

3 years ago - Sportingbase

On the final day of March, the basketball world is completely focused on the Final Four of March Madness. On Saturday, Florida Atlantic plays San Diego State and Miami plays Connecticut. However, before these two massive games are played at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, there are 13 games in the National Basketball Association. Here are three teams we like the most.

New York Knicks @ Cleveland Cavaliers–7:30 PM ET

The Cavaliers are fourth in the East at 48 wins and 29 losses. The Knicks are fifth in the East at 44 wins and 33 losses.

My Take:

On Thursday, the New York Knicks announced that Julius Randle would miss the rest of the regular season with a sprained ankle. The concern right now is if the injury will linger into the postseason. The Cavaliers are 30-8 at home. That is why I like Cleveland at -4.5. The Knicks meanwhile have been involved in games with more than 222 points in six of their last seven contests. Take the over at 222.

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Atlanta Hawks @ Brooklyn Nets–7:30 PM ET

The Nets are sixth in the East at 41 wins and 35 losses. The Hawks are eighth in the East at 38 wins and 38 losses.

My Take:

The Nets have had only one very impressive game over the last 17 days and that was a 129-100 win over Miami on March 25. Take the Hawks here at -1.5 as I like their lineup better than the newly created squad from Brooklyn. As for the over/under, I like the under at 240.5. The Nets have been involved in games with fewer than 241 points in their last eight games.

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Denver Nuggets @ Phoenix Suns–10:30 PM ET

The Nuggets lead the West at 51 wins and 25 losses. The Suns are fourth in the West at 41 wins and 35 losses.

My Take:

The Nuggets are on their second game of a back-to-back after losing 107-88 last night to the New Orleans Pelicans. Two-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic also did not play due to a right calf injury. Take the Suns at -8.5 and the over at 226.5. The Nuggets struggle defensively without Jokic too. Devin Booker is heating up for Phoenix as he has 82 points in his last three games.

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