NBA Picks

Free NBA Expert and Computer Picks For Every Game March 17, 2026

Miami Heat logo MIA @ Charlotte Hornets logo CHA Tue, Mar 17 • 7:00 PM ET
2 Expert Picks 2 Computer Picks
Total Assists
Tyler Herro logo Tyler Herro o4.5 Total Assists (+102)
Best Odds
Pick made: 9 hours ago
Jon Metler image
Jon Metler
Betting Analyst

We backed this Tyler Herro prop against the Charlotte Hornets just a couple of games ago, and he cleared it comfortably with nine assists. There’s a strong case to go right back to it in the rematch, especially at the current price, as many of the same conditions still apply. This is a meaningful game for the Southeast Division standings, and Miami comes in well-rested with two days off and another off day tomorrow. That setup should allow the starters to play full minutes, putting Herro firmly in the 30+ minute range. The production also isn’t fluky. Herro is averaging over nine potential assists per game across his last five, which stands out when his line is sitting at 4.5 at plus money. From a matchup standpoint, he should be able to manipulate Moussa Diabate in pick-and-roll coverage and create easy potential assists, particularly with Kel’el Ware as a lob threat. I price the Over at -145, making this a spot worth attacking again.

Spread
Charlotte Hornets logo CHA -3.5 (-110)
Best Odds
Pick made: 18 hours ago
Eric Rosales image
Eric Rosales
Betting Analyst

The Charlotte Hornets have just three losses in its last 11, and are holding teams to 105.1 points per game, which is third in the NBA over that time.

View 4 Picks
Detroit Pistons logo DET @ Washington Wizards logo WAS Tue, Mar 17 • 7:00 PM ET
1 Expert Pick 5 Computer Picks
Spread
Detroit Pistons logo DET -19.5 (-110)
Best Odds
Pick made: 4 hours ago
Shawn Krest image
Shawn Krest
Betting Analyst

Washington has lost 12 straight games, going 4-8 ATS. The Wizards have also lost their last 12 games as double-digit dogs, which they’ll be against Detroit.

Points Scored
Jalen Duren logo
Jalen Duren u21.5 Points Scored (-123)
Projection 18.52 (Under)
Best Odds
Pick made: 7 minutes ago
EV Model Rating
Star rating: 5 out of 5
The Pistons check in as the 3rd-least aggressive offense in the NBA when playing away from home this year in terms of shots from behind the three-point arc.. The Pistons have played at the 3rd-most lethargic pace-of-play in the league over the last 5 games without the home court advantage.
View 6 Picks
Oklahoma City Thunder logo OKC @ Orlando Magic logo ORL Tue, Mar 17 • 7:00 PM ET
2 Expert Picks 2 Computer Picks
Total Rebounds
Chet Holmgren logo Chet Holmgren o8.5 Total Rebounds (-112)
Best Odds
Pick made: 7 hours ago
Chris Faria image
Chris Faria
Betting Analyst

Chet Holmgren has averaged 10.9 rebounds per game since the All-Star break, the eighth-most in the NBA. The OKC center has logged Over 8.5 boards in seven of his last eight outings.

Spread
Orlando Magic logo ORL +9.5 (-101)
Best Odds
Pick made: 9 hours ago
Jon Metler image
Jon Metler
Betting Analyst

The Orlando Magic are on the second night of a back-to-back, but I’m still backing them at +9.5, as I make this line closer to Thunder -7. Jalen Suggs is the key to this matchup. He’s one of the top point-of-attack defenders in the league and has the ability to make life difficult for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, potentially forcing him into a less efficient performance. A major strength of Oklahoma City’s offense is getting into the paint, collapsing the defense, and kicking out to shooters. Orlando is better equipped than most teams to handle that style. Their length and positional size allow them to stay home on shooters without overcommitting to drives. With their defensive personnel, size, and the benefit of home court, the Magic have the tools to keep this game competitive and stay within the 9.5-point spread.

View 4 Picks
Indiana Pacers logo IND @ New York Knicks logo NY Tue, Mar 17 • 7:30 PM ET
2 Expert Picks 5 Computer Picks
Points and Rebounds
OG Anunoby logo OG Anunoby o22.5 Points and Rebounds (-125)
Best Odds
Pick made: 6 hours ago
Tom Oldfield image
Tom Oldfield
Betting Analyst

OG Anunoby ranks among the NBA’s elite 3-and-D weapons, but he’s much more than a role player – and this combo Over feels like a value pick, with Anunoby nailing it in three of his last four games.

Just look at his numbers this month – OG is averaging 19.2 PPG and shooting 45% from beyond the arc. He dropped 25 points on the Pacers last week, and there’s a path to more offense with Brunson listed as doubtful. I see Anunoby chipping in on the boards too, where he’s grabbed 5+ rebounds in six of his past nine outings. 

Total
Indiana Pacers logo New York Knicks logo u225.5 (-112)
Best Odds
Pick made: 21 hours ago
Chris Vasile image
Chris Vasile
Publishing Editor

This one could get out of hand early given the spread, but the value is on the total. The Pacers are a brutal offensive matchup against the Knicks’ No. 5-ranked defense and shouldn’t generate much scoring. New York could also be without Jalen Brunson, and with the Pacers, Nets, and Wizards coming up, the Knicks have every reason to limit his minutes or sit him entirely. Take away their top-scoring option, and this total starts to look inflated. The Under is firmly in play.

View 7 Picks
Phoenix Suns logo PHO @ Minnesota Timberwolves logo MIN Tue, Mar 17 • 8:00 PM ET
1 Expert Pick 2 Computer Picks
Spread
Minnesota Timberwolves logo MIN -3.5 (-110)
Best Odds
Pick made: 5 hours ago
Tom Oldfield image
Tom Oldfield
Betting Analyst

If ever there was a night for Minnesota’s depth to shine through, this is it. The T-Wolves will have to do it without Edwards, but there’s a lot to like about their 22-12 record at Target Center this season. The hosts are 7-3 ATS in the last 10 meetings between these teams, and a defense anchored by Rudy Gobert and Jaden McDaniels should make life tough for Devin Booker.

This is a tricky spot for the Suns, who lost in Boston last night, and the visitors are 4-10 SU this year when they have a rest disadvantage.

Points Scored
Donte DiVincenzo logo
Donte DiVincenzo u14.5 Points Scored (-125)
Projection 12.2 (Under)
Best Odds
Pick made: 11 minutes ago
EV Model Rating
Star rating: 4 out of 5
The matchup vs. Phoenix is a hard one; when the Suns are the visiting team, they have given up the least points per game in the league to the other team's starting PGs this year (12.2).. The Timberwolves are expected to see a decline in plays in this contest from squaring off against the least up-tempo tempo team in the league over the last 10 games (the Phoenix Suns).. Offensive rebounds retain possession and lead to more chances for scoring and assists, but the Minnesota Timberwolves grade out 2ndworst in in the NBA with a mere 8.8 offensive rebounds per game over the last 10 games.. This year when they have the home court advantage, the other team's starting PGs have attempted 2.1 foul shots per game (2nd-fewest in the league) against the Suns, facing an uphill battle to draw fouls.
View 3 Picks
Cleveland Cavaliers logo CLE @ Milwaukee Bucks logo MIL Tue, Mar 17 • 8:00 PM ET
2 Expert Picks 3 Computer Picks
Points Scored
Giannis Antetokounmpo logo Giannis Antetokounmpo o28.5 Points Scored (-112)
Best Odds
Pick made: 5 hours ago
Zak Hanshew image
Zak Hanshew
Betting Analyst

At 27.6 per game, Giannis Antetokounmpo is averaging his fewest points since the 2017-18 campaign. He’s been limited to 36 games due to injuries, but he’s scored 28+ in 17 of them. The Greek Freak is shaking off the rust, and he’s scored 30+ in back-to-back contests.

Spread
Cleveland Cavaliers logo CLE -10.0 (-112)
Best Odds
Pick made: 8 hours ago
Joe Osborne image
Joe Osborne
Senior Betting Analyst

The Cavs are in a prime bounce-back spot after an embarrassing loss to the Mavs as a 15-point favorite. They’ve consistently responded with authority in these situations, going 7-1-1 ATS in their last nine games after an outright loss with multiple blowout wins. The Bucks have been one of the worst teams in the NBA, ranking 29th in net rating over their last 10 games. Even with Giannis in the lineup they've been pathetic with recent home losses of 27, 18 and 15.

View 5 Picks
Philadelphia 76ers logo PHI @ Denver Nuggets logo DEN Tue, Mar 17 • 10:00 PM ET
1 Expert Pick 4 Computer Picks
Points Scored
Jamal Murray logo Jamal Murray o24.5 Points Scored (-112)
Best Odds
Pick made: 8 hours ago
Zak Hanshew image
Zak Hanshew
Betting Analyst

Jamal Murray had a brutal showing against the Lakers, finishing with just five points on 1 of 14 shooting. In eight games prior, he averaged 29.9 points and scored 25+ six times. He's averaging a career-best 25.1 points per game, and he’s scored 25+ in 30 of 63 games.

Points Scored
Cameron Johnson logo
Cameron Johnson o10.5 Points Scored (+100)
Projection 12.78 (Over)
Best Odds
Pick made: 1 hours ago
EV Model Rating
Star rating: 5 out of 5
The Denver Nuggets check in as the highest scoring offense in the league this year.. The 5th-fastest pace-of-play offense in the league over the last 5 games has been the Nuggets.. The Philadelphia 76ers have played at the 9th-quickest pace in the league over the last 15 games, which should raise possessions for the Nuggets.
View 5 Picks
San Antonio Spurs logo SA @ Sacramento Kings logo SAC Tue, Mar 17 • 10:00 PM ET
2 Expert Picks 3 Computer Picks
Spread
Sacramento Kings logo SAC +13.5 (-110)
Best Odds
Pick made: 6 hours ago
Jason Logan image
Jason Logan
Senior Betting Analyst

The Spurs have run a gauntlet of contenders in recent weeks and after a close road win at L.A. last night, San Antonio is set up for a classic letdown spot as double-digit road chalk. Sacramento heads into this homestand with some heat. It’s won four of the past five games while covering in all of those outings. Sacramento is 6-3 ATS when getting 10 or more points at home this season.

Points Scored
De'Aaron Fox logo De'Aaron Fox o19.5 Points Scored (+115)
Best Odds
Pick made: 9 hours ago
Jon Metler image
Jon Metler
Betting Analyst

De’Aaron Fox is trading at +115 for the Over 19.5 points, and that’s a number worth attacking as I price it closer to -150. If there are concerns about a potential blowout, they’re already baked into the projection—this projection assumes Fox plays under 30 minutes. On the second night of a back-to-back, if the Spurs choose to limit anyone, it’s more likely to be Victor Wembanyama, which could shift even more offensive responsibility onto Fox. There’s also a strong narrative element with Fox facing his former team in Sacramento, but this isn’t just narrative-driven—it shows up in the data. Fox consistently plays with increased aggression in this matchup, with his usage rate jumping by over 7% against the Kings. All signs point to Fox taking on a heavy scoring role, making this price too good to pass up.

 

View 5 Picks

What are Covers’ NBA Free picks and predictions?

Covers’ NBA analysts have over 25 years of experience making smart basketball picks from the season’s opening tip to the NBA Finals.

We find the best NBA odds and share our picks and NBA best bets for the biggest games of the basketball season — right here on this page.

Our picks are researched and analyzed by experienced sports bettors looking for an edge to get the best value from their NBA betting

Free NBA Expert Picks

Making smart NBA picks means looking beyond the favorites. Our free expert NBA picks will include a wide variety of bet types and markets.

Free NBA Point Spread Picks

NBA point spreads even the odds between two teams, offering bettors as close to an even pick as possible. Our analysts research stats, matchups, injuries, and more to give you the best edge possible before making your NBA point spread bet.

Free NBA Totals Picks

Covers’ analysts make NBA Over/Under picks throughout the basketball season. Betting on NBA Over/Unders means choosing whether you think the combined total score of a game will be Over or Under a specific total set by oddsmakers.

Free NBA Moneyline Picks

Betting on the NBA moneyline means picking which team will win a game outright. While less common than picking the spread, or a prop, our analysts will always look for high-value NBA moneyline picks if they feel it’s the best bet.

Free NBA Prop Picks

There’s always value in NBA props. Our team scours through game, team, and player props to try and find opportunity and value. From player points to total threes made, expect well-researched NBA prop picks from Covers.

NBA Consensus Picks

Covers’ consensus NBA picks highlight the odds and predictions that our vibrant community of bettors and players are making. Try our picks on with our free NBA contests for a chance at prizes and more.

Best Basketball Betting Site

If you’re ready to bet on NBA picks, you first need to find the right sportsbook. The best NBA betting sites offer secure banking, best odds, bonuses, and reliable customer service.

More Free Picks

Covers’ staff of sports betting fans also offers a wide array of free picks for the NBA, MLB, NHL, NCAA basketball, and NCAA football.

NBA Free Picks FAQs

When do we release our NBA picks?

Covers NBA picks generally release on game day. Some significant matchups like playoff games release in the days leading up to the game.

What kinds of NBA picks do we make?

Covers provides free NBA picks covering many markets, including point spreads, totals, moneylines, player props, and more.