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 3/31/2023

by Spencer Toth - 3/31/2023

Hot and cold NBA teams against the spread Kevin Durant Phoenix Suns

The NBA season rolls into its final weeks, and some teams are catching fire at the right time, while others will be limping into the offseason. Let’s take a look at the teams that have been meeting expectations, and the ones falling short, in addition to the highest and lowest scorers as the NBA postseason is quickly approaching.

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

The Hot:

Orlando Magic

The Orlando Magic have been getting disrespected Against the Spread (ATS) in the last 10 games. While they have only gone 5-5 straight up, all but one of those losses have been by 7 or fewer points, resulting in an 8-2 run ATS. While other bottom feeders have been happy to shut down their stars for the year, in hopes of securing a better draft pick, Orlando has been happy to keep their team moving full speed ahead. Paolo Banchero is virtually guaranteed to hoist the Rookie of the Year trophy at the season’s end, while assets like Franz Wagner and Wendell Carter keep putting points on the board. Orlando will still miss the postseason, but the Magic have an optimistic feel about their future.

New Orleans Pelicans

The New Orleans Pelicans have had a roller coaster of a season. In December, they were sitting atop the Western Conference and looked poised for a deep playoff run. However, they fell from grace, and found themselves on the outside looking in, down to 12th place. Despite the continued absence of Zion Williamson, the Pelicans have won 7 of their last 10 games, covering the spread in all 7 victories. The hot streak has pushed them up to 7th place, but their place in the postseason, and even play-in tournament, is still far from secured. Brandon Ingram has returned from injury and has put up 25+ points in each of his last 8 games. A healthy Pelicans lineup can challenge for a championship, and they are finally stringing some wins together at the right time. Until they stop covering, I’d keep riding with New Orleans.

The Cold:

Portland Trail Blazers

Another season down the drain for Damian Lillard. While his loyalty to Portland has been admirable, the Trail Blazers have covered the spread in just 3 of their last 7 games, winning just 1 of those outright. They have slipped out of the play-in tournament and are all but eliminated from the postseason. Lillard, Jusuf Nurkic, Jerami Grant, and Anfernee Simons have all been shut down for the season, and Portland will not be winning, or covering, very many of their final games. Lillard has done his best to keep Portland relevant but has once again prevented a full on rebuild from taking place. Another 10th-13th place finish is on the horizon.

Phoenix Suns

The Suns are the odds on favorites to win the Western Conference but find themselves on a cold streak heading into the postseason. They’ve covered the spread in just 3 of their last 10, and they are clinging onto their 4th seed in the West. Kevin Durant is finally back from injury and should make an instant impact for the Suns. A superstar joining a team that already features Devin Booker, Chris Paul, and Deandre Ayton is a dangerous thought, but the Suns have fallen short of expectations. They will likely win a majority of their final games. However, if the bookies don’t start lowering the lines, we’ll be forced to stay away.

High Scorers:

Utah Jazz

The Utah Jazz have gotten back to their early season form, cashing the Under in just 1 of their last 10 games. The Jazz continue to deliver exciting, high scoring games, as they are one of 3 teams averaging at least 117 points on both ends of the court. While it is starting to appear their defense lapses are catching up to them, as they’re unlikely to make the postseason, their offensive firepower bodes well for the future. Their total has been 230+ in 19 of their last 21 games, but the Overs just keep rolling in for Utah.

Phoenix Suns

When on a win streak, appearing in the ‘High Scorers’ column is often a good thing. It means the offense is flowing and things are going well. However, for the Suns, an appearance here right before the postseason is a curse rather than a blessing. They are 4-0 over the last 10 when they hold their opponents to 115 or fewer points, and 0-6 when they eclipse that threshold. The Suns are expected to challenge for an NBA title. However, while their offense has won them games, their defense will need to step up to win a championship.

Low Scorers:

Dallas Mavericks 

What is wrong in Dallas? When the Mavericks acquired Kyrie Irving at the trade deadline, it had appeared that Luka Doncic finally had the help he needed to make a deep postseason run. However, things have not gone to plan, and the Mavericks have been unable to fill the hoop, going Over in just 2 of their last 10 games. Irving and Doncic have a 4-9 record when they’ve played together, and Dallas is on the outside looking in at the play-in tournament, with just 5 games to go. They’ve scored over 110 points in just 2 of the last 10 and will need to figure out their offense in a hurry if they are planning on playing any more meaningful basketball this season.

Detroit Pistons

It is clear the Pistons are just waiting for the season to conclude. They lost first overall pick Cade Cunningham for the rest of the season in December, and any hope of meaningful April basketball went out the window. Currently, the Pistons have no plans to win their final 6 games, and their 16-60 record is an accurate reflection of their season. Their offense has dried up, cashing the Under in 8 of the last 10 games, winning just 1 of those. Another top draft pick joining Cunningham on the court next season will give this Pistons team an offensive spark. However, for now, the Pistons will not be providing high scoring, entertaining games. \

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