Docs Website

53 Years Strong! A Trusted Leader In Sports Picks, Best Bets and Predictions Since 1971.

Main Menu

NBA Betting Advice: Hot and Cold Teams Against the Spread 3/15/2023

by Spencer Toth - 3/15/2023

Hot and cold NBA teams against the spread Mikal Bridges Brooklyn Nets

The NBA has ticked into the final month of the season, as teams are jostling for playoff positioning in a very level playing field. Fourth and 12th in the Western Conference are separated by just 4 games, leaving it all to play for in the final weeks. Some teams have been able to defy expectations, while others have fallen short. These are the teams that have been hot and cold ATS, with the highest and lowest scorers; Let’s dive in.

Doc’s Sports offers NBA picks for every game on our NBA predictions page.

The Hot:
Brooklyn Nets

The Brooklyn Nets are getting used to life without Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, and have been ATS machines, covering in 7 of their last 10 games. Despite their 5-5 record over that span, the Nets have been disrespected by the bookies, and it looks like they’ll be able to hold onto their 6th place seed. Mikal Bridges has emerged as the face of the franchise, and the talented guard will have reinforcements incoming over the next few seasons. Ben Simmonds remains out, and the playoff aspirations for this team are curtailed, but the Nets may not be as bad as expected without their former stars.

Sacramento Kings

The Sacramento Kings are closing in on their first playoff appearance in 16 years and have gone 8-2 straight up, and 7-3 ATS, over the last 10 games. Not only will the Kings soon clinch a playoff spot, but they should be able to obtain home court advantage in the first round. De’Aaron Fox has emerged as a true star, averaging 25.5 PPG, but he hasn’t been doing it alone. The Kings are the highest scoring team in the league and have been able to outscore their defensive issues throughout the season. Once you factor in their 19-13 road record, this team may make some noise in the playoffs.

The Cold:

Dallas Mavericks

The Dallas Mavericks have gone 3-7 ATS over the last 10 games, and their playoff appearance is suddenly in jeopardy. The Mavericks are a joint league worst 24-42-3 ATS this season, as the expectations remain high, while they continue to underperform. Luka Doncic finally got some help with the acquisition of Kyrie Irving, but the two stars haven’t been able to stay healthy since the trade deadline. The Mavericks are sliding down the standings, yet the bookies continue to overvalue their chances. In general, you’ll have made money if you stayed away from the Mavericks this season.

Miami Heat

The Miami Heat have gone 3-7 ATS, but a respectable 5-5 SU, over the last 10 games. Similar to the Mavericks, the Heat are a woeful 25-43-2 this season ATS, and are a shoe-in for an appearance in the Play-In Tournament. The Heat have one of the best defensive units in the league but have had injuries derail their season. On the offensive end of the floor, they rank dead last in offensive rating, and nothing is expected to change anytime soon. The Heat routinely win games with score lines like 104-101, but the bookies expect them to win by more. In the favorite role, the Heat are a must fade in the final weeks of the season.

High Scorers:

Sacramento Kings

To the surprise of no one, the Kings once again find themselves consistently cashing the Over. They’ve gone Over the total in 7 of the last 10 games. And considering they won 8 of those contests, they will not be complaining. The Kings are the highest scoring team in the league. And despite the fact that their closing total has been Over 230 in each of the last 10 games, and Over 240 in 4 of them, it shows the bookies simply can’t keep up with the Kings scoring. A bet on the Kings Over is never a bad one.

Denver Nuggets

The Denver Nuggets have been leaking on the defensive end for the last 10 games, pushing the total Over in 7 of them. The Nuggets have now lost 4 straight games. And while they are still atop the West, they will need to sort out these issues before the postseason. Nikola Jokic has been instrumental in orchestrating the Denver offense, but the defensive workrate for Denver has fallen off a cliff. Losses to the Spurs, Bulls, Nets, and Raptors have shattered their confidence. And if they hope to retain the top seed, they must sort out their act, and soon.

Low Scorers:

Memphis Grizzlies

The Memphis Grizzlies have only cashed the Over in 2 of their last 10 games, as Ja Morant remains out. Their offense has been hindered with Morant on the sidelines, but the team has rallied together and put in work on the defensive end. They are still clinging to their 2nd place seed, going 6-4 over the last 10, and it’s thanks to their defense. The bookies haven’t fully adjusted the Grizzlies’ totals to the absence of Morant, and they will keep cashing the Under until he returns, or once the bookies start lowering the totals.

New Orleans Pelicans

The Pelicans sat on top of the Western Conference 2 months ago and are now battling for a spot in the Play-In Tournament. They haven’t been able to score consistently, falling Under the total in 7 of the last 10 games. The injuries to their stars, and depth players, have hurt the Pelicans, as Zion Williamson still sits on the bench. Brandon Ingram hasn’t been able to stay healthy, while Jose Alvarado is out for the foreseeable future. The different starting lineups have ensured the Pelicans can’t heat up on the offensive end, and their defensive scheme has never been the best. Once the totals start falling, I’ll be back on the Pelicans. However, for now, the Under is a safe bet.

Get NBA picks on every single game, or if you want our very best bet premium picks by the experts, sign up for your free $60 account with a guarantee.

 

Most Recent NBA Handicapping

One E-mail A Week Is All You Need!
Our weekly newsletter is loaded with exclusive free picks,insight and advice from our expert handicappers