NBA Picks

Free NBA Expert and Computer Picks For Every Game March 3, 2026

Washington Wizards logo WAS @ Orlando Magic logo ORL Tue, Mar 3 • 7:00 PM ET
4 Computer Picks
Points Scored
Bilal Coulibaly logo
Bilal Coulibaly u10.5 Points Scored (-112)
Projection 9 (Under)
Best Odds
Pick made: 5 hours ago
EV Model Rating
Star rating: 4 out of 5
In terms of offense, the Wizards's lackluster 110.1 points per game away from their home court comes in as the 5th-weakest in the league this year.. The Wizards will likely suffer a reduction in possessions in this game from being pitted against the 4th-slowest tempo offense in the NBA over the last 5 games (the Orlando Magic).
Points Scored
Desmond Bane logo
Desmond Bane o19.5 Points Scored (-125)
Projection 22.23 (Over)
Best Odds
Pick made: 30 minutes ago
EV Model Rating
Star rating: 4 out of 5
Desmond Bane has logged 25.7 points per game over the last 10 games, 5.4 more than he's logged overall this year.. This year, the opposing team's starting SFs have scored 15.7 points per game (7th-most in the NBA) vs. the Washington Wizards, branding this as a favorable matchup for offensive performance.. The Wizards have played at the 3rd-quickest pace in the league over the last 10 games, which ought to lead to more plays for the Orlando Magic.. When it comes to drawing fouls, the Orlando Magic's excellent 28.4 free throw attempts per game at home ranks best in the league this year.. The matchup against Washington may be a strong one for drawing fouls; the other team's starting SFs have attempted a massive 4.2 foul shots per game over the last 5 games when the Washington Wizards are away from home (7th-most in the NBA).
View 4 Picks
Dallas Mavericks logo DAL @ Charlotte Hornets logo CHA Tue, Mar 3 • 7:00 PM ET
1 Computer Pick
Total Rebounds
P.J. Washington logo
P.J. Washington o5.5 Total Rebounds (+118)
Projection 6.22 (Over)
Best Odds
Pick made: 6 hours ago
EV Model Rating
Star rating: 4 out of 5
The Dallas Mavericks have played at the 2nd-fastest pace in the NBA over the last 15 games away from their home court.
View Pick
Detroit Pistons logo DET @ Cleveland Cavaliers logo CLE Tue, Mar 3 • 7:00 PM ET
1 Expert Pick 2 Computer Picks
Total
Detroit Pistons logo Cleveland Cavaliers logo u227.5 (-115)
Best Odds
Pick made: 1 hours ago
Phil Naessens image
Phil Naessens
Betting Analyst

Cleveland will lean on its own elite defense to compete. These head-to-head battles usually turn into low-scoring wars, which is why the Under is the play tonight.

Points Scored
JT
Jaylon Tyson u12.5 Points Scored (+101)
Projection 11.55 (Under)
Best Odds
Pick made: 14 minutes ago
EV Model Rating
Star rating: 4 out of 5
View 3 Picks
Brooklyn Nets logo BK @ Miami Heat logo MIA Tue, Mar 3 • 7:30 PM ET
3 Computer Picks
Points Scored
Michael Porter Jr. logo
Michael Porter Jr. u23.5 Points Scored (-120)
Projection 21.23 (Under)
Best Odds
Pick made: 2 hours ago
EV Model Rating
Star rating: 4 out of 5
The 2nd-least up-tempo pace-of-play away team in the league over the last 15 games has been the Nets.. The Nets rank as the 3rd-worst offensive rebounding offense in the NBA over the last 25 games while on the road (offensive rebounds maintain possession, and a lack of them can therefore reduce additional opportunities for scoring and assists).
Total Rebounds
Nic Claxton logo
Nic Claxton o6.5 Total Rebounds (+116)
Projection 7.49 (Over)
Best Odds
Pick made: 7 hours ago
EV Model Rating
Star rating: 4 out of 5
The Heat have played at the quickest pace-of-play in the NBA this year, which should boost plays for the Brooklyn Nets.
View 3 Picks
New York Knicks logo NY @ Toronto Raptors logo TOR Tue, Mar 3 • 7:30 PM ET
1 Expert Pick
MoneyLine
New York Knicks logo NY (-126)
Best Odds
Pick made: 9 hours ago
Chris Vasile image
Chris Vasile
Publishing Editor

The New York Knicks have beaten the Raptors in all three meetings so far this season, and this one will end the same way. The Knicks have too much depth and scoring punch for the Raptors to overcome. They are playing some good basketball right now, winning four of their last five games. Take the team that feels like a true contender in this spot. 

View Pick
Memphis Grizzlies logo MEM @ Minnesota Timberwolves logo MIN Tue, Mar 3 • 8:00 PM ET
3 Computer Picks
Points Scored
Ty Jerome logo
Ty Jerome u17.5 Points Scored (-112)
Projection 15.12 (Under)
Best Odds
Pick made: 7 hours ago
EV Model Rating
Star rating: 5 out of 5
The matchup against the Timberwolves is a challenging one for scoring; the opposing team's starting PGs have compiled the lowest FG% in the NBA this year (39.8%).. The Memphis Grizzlies check in as the 2nd-worst offensive rebounding offense in the NBA over the last 5 games away from their home court (offensive rebounds maintain possession, and a lack of them can therefore lead to fewer chances for scoring and assists).. Over the last 15 games, the other team's starting PGs have attempted 3.3 foul shots per game (5th-fewest in the NBA) vs. the Timberwolves, struggling to get to the foul line.
Points Scored
Anthony Edwards logo
Anthony Edwards u30.5 Points Scored (-105)
Projection 28.01 (Under)
Best Odds
Pick made: 22 minutes ago
EV Model Rating
Star rating: 4 out of 5
This year, the other team's starting SGs have averaged 4.3 buckets per game (lowest in the NBA) against the Memphis Grizzlies, marking this as a hard matchup.. The Timberwolves check in as the 10th-worst offensive rebounding offense in the NBA over the last 5 games (offensive rebounds maintain possession, and a lack of them can therefore lead to fewer chances for scoring and assists).
View 3 Picks
San Antonio Spurs logo SA @ Philadelphia 76ers logo PHI Tue, Mar 3 • 8:00 PM ET
1 Expert Pick 7 Computer Picks
Total Points, Rebounds, and Assists
Luke Kornet logo Luke Kornet o11.5 Total Points, Rebounds, and Assists (-120)
Best Odds
Pick made: 8 hours ago
Zak Hanshew image
Zak Hanshew
Betting Analyst

The Philadelphia 76ers’ interior defense will be exposed again with Joel Embiid on the sideline. The team’s defensive rating without Embiid is a dreadful 117.1 this season. Philly surrendered 114 points, 59 total rebounds and a whopping 19 offensive boards in Sunday’s blowout loss to the Boston Celtics.

Kornet is averaging a career-best 15.5 PRA, and he’s gone for 12+ in 38 of 50 games overall, including six of his last nine. This line is wildly mispriced, and Kornet could see additional run if San Antonio runs away with the game in this favorable matchup.

Points Scored
Andre Drummond logo
Andre Drummond o7.5 Points Scored (+103)
Projection 9.62 (Over)
Best Odds
Pick made: 9 hours ago
EV Model Rating
Star rating: 5 out of 5
The 76ers will likely get a boost in plays today from sharing the court with the 9th-quickest pace-of-play team in the league over the last 10 games (the Spurs).. Offensive rebounds preserve possession and result in further chances for scoring and assists, and the 76ers rank 9th-best in in the league when playing at home with 11.9 offensive rebounds per game this year.
View 8 Picks
Oklahoma City Thunder logo OKC @ Chicago Bulls logo CHI Tue, Mar 3 • 8:00 PM ET
1 Expert Pick 6 Computer Picks
Spread
Oklahoma City Thunder logo OKC -10.5 (-105)
Best Odds
Pick made: 1 hours ago
Phil Naessens image
Phil Naessens
Betting Analyst

OKC boasts the league’s No. 1 Defensive Rating and covers 57% of their road games. Facing a "tanking" Bulls “G-League” roster, the Thunder’s elite defensive efficiency and transition offense should pull away for a double-digit cover.

Points Scored
Matas Buzelis logo
Matas Buzelis o15.5 Points Scored (-104)
Projection 17.94 (Over)
Best Odds
Pick made: 34 minutes ago
EV Model Rating
Star rating: 4 out of 5
Matas Buzelis has averaged 20.4 points per game over the last 5 games, 5.3 more than he's averaged over the course of the season.. The Bulls have been the 8th-highest scoring offense in the league over the last 14 games as the home team.. The 2nd-quickest tempo team in the league over the last 15 games has been the Bulls.. This year when they are at home, the opposing team's starting PFs have attempted 4.9 foul shots per game (7th-most in the NBA) vs. the Oklahoma City Thunder, easily managing to get to the foul line.
View 7 Picks
New Orleans Pelicans logo NO @ Los Angeles Lakers logo LAL Tue, Mar 3 • 10:30 PM ET
7 Computer Picks
Points Scored
Deandre Ayton logo
Deandre Ayton o8.5 Points Scored (-130)
Projection 10.99 (Over)
Best Odds
Pick made: 3 hours ago
EV Model Rating
Star rating: 4 out of 5
The Los Angeles Lakers rank as the 6th-highest scoring offense in the league over the last 25 games as the home team.. The Lakers are expected to get a boost in possessions in this game from facing the 8th-quickest pace-of-play offense in the NBA over the last 5 games (the New Orleans Pelicans).
Points Scored
Austin Reaves logo
Austin Reaves o18.5 Points Scored (+100)
Projection 20.49 (Over)
Best Odds
Pick made: 4 hours ago
EV Model Rating
Star rating: 4 out of 5
In comparison to last season's 20.0 rate, Austin Reaves's points per game have risen this season to 24.1.. The Los Angeles Lakers rank as the 6th-highest scoring offense in the league over the last 25 games as the home team.. This year, opposing starting SGs have tallied 6.1 3-point attempts per game (4th-highest in the league) against the Pelicans, identifying this as a strong matchup.. The Lakers are expected to get a boost in possessions in this game from facing the 8th-quickest pace-of-play offense in the NBA over the last 5 games (the New Orleans Pelicans).
View 7 Picks
Phoenix Suns logo PHO @ Sacramento Kings logo SAC Tue, Mar 3 • 11:00 PM ET
4 Computer Picks
Points Scored
DeMar DeRozan logo
DeMar DeRozan o11.5 Points Scored (-125)
Projection 14.33 (Over)
Best Odds
Pick made: an hour ago
EV Model Rating
Star rating: 4 out of 5
The matchup against Phoenix is a favorable one for 3-pointers; when the Phoenix Suns are the visiting team, the other team's starting SFs have put up the 8th-highest 3-point percentage in the league this year (41.1%).. The 10th-quickest pace-of-play offense in the league over the last 5 games has been the Kings.. The Kings rank as the 3rd-best offensive rebounding offense in the NBA over the last 15 games (offensive rebounds maintain possession and can therefore produce additional chances for scoring and assists).
Points Scored
Mark Williams logo
Mark Williams o9.5 Points Scored (+100)
Projection 10.93 (Over)
Best Odds
Pick made: 2 minutes ago
EV Model Rating
Star rating: 4 out of 5
The Suns will likely get a boost in opportunities in this game from facing the 10th-fastest tempo offense in the NBA over the last 5 games (the Sacramento Kings).. The Suns check in as the 2nd-best offensive rebounding offense in the NBA over the last 10 games (offensive rebounds maintain possession and can therefore lead to added opportunities for scoring and assists).
View 4 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.