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NBC Sunday Night ? Timberwolves at Celtics Odds

Thursday, March 19, 2026

The Minnesota Timberwolves face the Boston Celtics on Sunday night at TD Garden in a high-stakes cross-conference NBC matchup featuring two of the league's top teams.

Minnesota enters this contest as the sixth seed in the Western Conference, while Boston holds the second seed in the Eastern Conference. The Timberwolves won the only prior meeting between these teams this season on November 29, 2025, with a 119-115 victory at Target Center.

A major storyline for this game is the health of Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards, who is expected to be sidelined with right knee inflammation. Edwards, who averages 29.5 points per game, was recently given a recovery timeline of 10 to 14 days, which likely keeps him out of this matchup. Without their primary scoring threat, Minnesota will rely heavily on Julius Randle, who is averaging over 32 points in recent outings, and the defensive anchoring of Rudy Gobert.

The Celtics have been dominant at home and boast the NBA's top-scoring defense. Their offensive efficiency ranks second in the league, led by the duo of Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, who combine for nearly 60 points per game.

Get the latest NBA news, check out the current betting lines for the games, and don?t miss the basketball action, all with the best odds at BookMaker!

Minnesota Timberwolves at Boston Celtics Betting at Bookmaker

The Minnesota Timberwolves and Boston Celtics matchup on Sunday, March 22, 2026, with a scheduled tipoff at 8:00 PM ET. This matchup is being broadcast nationally on NBC and Peacock.

Sharps believe that Minnesota faces a significant challenge in overcoming the absence of Edwards against a Boston defense that excels at limiting opponent scoring.

While the Timberwolves frontcourt of Gobert and Randle provides a size advantage that could exploit Boston's lack of interior depth, the Celtics superior perimeter play and home-court advantage make them the favorites.

Minnesota Timberwolves

The Minnesota Timberwolves currently hold a straight-up record of 42 wins and 27 losses. Their performance against the spread has been less successful, with a 27-39 record. For over-under totals, the over has hit 34 times, while the under has hit 35. This suggests the team has struggled to cover spreads lately and has trended toward the under in seven of their last nine contests.

The Timberwolves currently rank among the top twelve teams in the league for both offensive and defensive efficiency during the 2025-2026 season.

Their offensive rating of 117.6 is tied for the ninth-highest in the NBA, while their defensive rating of 112.9 ranks ninth overall.

Boston Celtics

The Boston Celtics currently hold a straight-up record of 45 wins and 23 losses. They are seeded second in the Eastern Conference and lead the Atlantic Division. The Celtics have a record of 39-28-1 against the spread. Their over-under record stands at 24 overs and 44 unders, indicating a strong tendency for their games to stay under the projected point total, which aligns with their league-leading scoring defense that allows only 107.1 points per game.

The Boston Celtics maintain elite status as a top-five team in both offensive and defensive efficiency throughout the 2025-2026 season. Their unadjusted offensive rating of 120.4 ranks third in the NBA, while their defensive rating of 112.7 ranks fifth. This combined performance has resulted in a net rating of 7.7, the second-highest overall.

Timberwolves at Celtics Betting Trends

Over their last ten meetings, both teams have split 5-5 against the spread. The Timberwolves covered in three of their last four games against Boston when receiving points from oddsmakers. The over has hit in four of the last five head-to-head games, including the last three consecutive meetings.

Timberwolves at Celtics Bookmaker Best Bets

Wise Guys like the under as a strong consideration for this matchup. Boston features the league's top scoring defense. Minnesota offensive production is expected to decline significantly without star guard Anthony Edwards.

Boston holds a significant advantage in efficiency and depth, especially with Jayson Tatum recently returning to the lineup, while Minnesota has lost four of its last five games.

Julius Randle stands out as a primary target for points and rebounds, as he has averaged over 32 points per game in recent outings.

Main Pick: Boston Celtics

Over/Under Pick: Under the Total

Player Prop Picks: Julius Randle Over Total Points and Rebounds

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ESPN Wednesday ? Lakers at Rockets Odds

Moay, March 16, 2026

The Houston Rockets have relied on a high-level defense that ranks second in the Western Conference. Their offense centers on the veteran presence of Kevin Durant, who averages 26.1 points per game, and the versatile playmaking of Alperen Sengun, who contributes 26 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 6.1 assists.

However, the Rockets have been navigating several key absences as Fred VanVleet and Steven Adams are both out for the season. At the same time, Jae'Sean Tate and Dorian Finney-Smith remain sidelined with leg injuries.

The Lakers counter with the league's top-ranked offense by field goal percentage, led by the superstar duo of Luka Doncic and LeBron James. Doncic has been on a scoring tear lately, averaging 34 points over his last 10 games.

On the injury front, the Lakers recently welcomed back both James and Marcus Smart to the lineup, though Maxi Kleber is expected to remain out with a back injury until later in the week.

Get the latest NBA news, check out the current betting lines for the games, and don?t miss the basketball action, all with the best odds at BookMaker!

Los Angeles Lakers at Houston Rockets Betting at Bookmaker

The Los Angeles Lakers travel to face the Houston Rockets on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at 9:30 PM ET at the Toyota Center in a matchup with significant Western Conference playoff implications. ESPN leads national television coverage.

Los Angeles Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers hold a straight-up record of 42 wins and 25 losses. In the betting markets, the team has been a reliable choice for gamblers, posting a 37-29-1 ATS record, for a 56.1% cover rate. When it comes to totals, their over-under record currently stands at 33 overs and 32 unders.

The Lakers lead the NBA in field goal percentage by shooting 49.9 percent from the floor, while their offensive rating of 116.9 ranks sixth overall. They average 116.3 points per game, which is the third-highest mark in the Western Conference.

The Lakers struggle in other areas, ranking near the bottom of the league in rebounding with 41.0 per game and possessing the seventeenth-best defensive rating at 117.0, which is roughly the league average.

Houston Rockets

The Houston Rockets own a straight-up record of 41 wins and 25 losses. Despite their winning record, the team has struggled to cover for bettors, going 29-37 against the spread. Their games have frequently ended with lower scores, as shown by an over-under record of 28 overs and 38 unders. This defensive trend is especially pronounced in their home games at the Toyota Center, where the under has hit in 62% of their matchups this season.

Houston ranks eighth in the league in three-point shooting at 36.4 percent and averages 114.1 points per game, which places them in the middle of the league standings for offensive production.

Houston is a top-tier defensive team, ranking second in the Western Conference by allowing only 109.9 points per game. They are the premier rebounding team in the NBA, averaging 48.2 boards per contest, and rank fifth in the league in blocked shots with 5.86 per game.

Lakers at Rockets Betting Trends

The Lakers show momentum with five straight wins straight up and against the spread in their most recent five games. They hold a 4-2 ATS edge in the last six meetings against Houston and a dominant 14-6 straight-up record in the last 20 head-to-head contests overall. However, they struggle on the road against the Rockets with only one win in the last six such games.

Overall, the last ten games between them sit even at 5-5 straight up and 5-5 ATS, with totals leaning under at 4-6.

Lakers at Rockets Bookmaker Best Bets

Sharps see the Rockets as a strong play because they lead the league in rebounding and rank second in scoring defense, which presents a difficult matchup for a Lakers team that ranks near the bottom of the league on the glass.

The under is also worth consideration, given that Houston has seen it consistently hit at home due to its slow pace and physical defensive style.

Kevin Durant remains the primary offensive option for Houston, averaging 26 points per game this season.

Main Pick: Houston Rockets

Over/Under Pick: Under the Total

Player Prop Picks: Kevin Durant Over the Points Total

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CBS Friday ? Northern Iowa vs. St. John?s Odds

Tuesday, March 17, 2026

The first-round matchup between the Northern Iowa Panthers and the St. John's Red Storm in the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament features a classic 5-vs-12 game that many people watch closely for potential upsets.

St. John's arrives as one of the hottest teams in the country after winning both the Big East regular season and tournament titles. Led by coach Rick Pitino and Big East Player of the Year Zuby Ejiofor, the Red Storm have won 19 of their last 20 games.

Their identity is built on a top-ranked defense that recently held UConn to just 52 points in the conference championship. Offensively, the team relies on Ejiofor, Bryce Hopkins, and Oziyah Sellers, and they have seen improved efficiency since inserting Dillon Mitchell into the starting lineup.

Northern Iowa earned its spot by winning four games in four days to capture the Missouri Valley Conference tournament title as a No. 6 seed.

The Panthers play at an extremely slow pace, ranking near the bottom of Division I in adjusted tempo, to limit possessions and drag opponents into half-court battles. Guard Trey Campbell leads their scoring at 13.7 points per game, supported by a defense that allows only 61.3 points per contest.

Get the latest 2026 NCAA Tournament news, check out the current betting lines for the games, and don?t miss the basketball action, all with the best odds at BookMaker!

Northern Iowa Panthers vs. St. John?s Red Storm Odds at Bookmaker

The first round NCAA Tournament matchup features the St. John's Red Storm against the Northern Iowa Panthers on Friday, March 20, 2026. The game is scheduled to tip off at 7:10 p.m. EDT at Viejas Arena in San Diego, California. CBS will provide the primary television coverage.

The point spread lists St. John's at -10.5. Northern Iowa is the underdog at +10.5.

The over-under for total points is set at 132.5, reflecting Northern Iowa's tendency to play at one of the slowest tempos in the country and St. John's elite defensive ranking.

Moneyline odds place St. John's as a heavy favorite at -625. Northern Iowa is positioned as a longshot underdog with moneyline odds at +440.

Northern Iowa Panthers

Northern Iowa holds a 23-12 straight-up record after its late-season surge to win the Missouri Valley Conference tournament title. The Panthers have been particularly strong against the spread with a 20-14 record, covering in nearly 59 percent of their matchups this season. Similar to their first-round opponent, Northern Iowa has seen the under hit in 20 of its 34 games, largely due to a deliberate offensive pace that ranks among the slowest in the country.

Northern Iowa has a lower scoring average of 69.9 points per game, which ranks 313th nationally. However, the Panthers are highly efficient when they do shoot, ranking forty-eighth in field goal percentage at 48 percent and ninety-sixth in three-point accuracy at 35.5 percent. Their greatest strength is a scoring defense that ranks first in the country, allowing only 61.3 points per contest.

St. John?s Red Storm

St. John's enters the NCAA Tournament with a straight-up record of 28-6 and has been one of the most reliable teams for bettors, finishing the season with an 18-16 record against the spread. The Red Storm have trended heavily toward the under this season, with their games going under the total in 21 of 34 contests, largely due to their top-ranked scoring defense.

St. John's enters this matchup with a significant offensive advantage, averaging 81.6 points per game, which ranks fifty-sixth in the nation. The Red Storm relies on a high-possession style, ranking sixty-fourth in adjusted tempo, to create scoring opportunities. Defensively, they are elite, allowing only 65.2 points per game and ranking thirteenth nationally in scoring defense.

Northern Iowa vs. St. John?s Best Bets

The Red Storm are arguably the hottest team in the nation, coming off a Big East title and boasting a massive athleticism advantage.

For the total, the under 132.5 is the preferred play. Northern Iowa plays at one of the five slowest tempos in all of college basketball.

In the prop market, betting the over on Zuby Ejiofor?s rebounds is a strong option. The Big East Player of the Year faces a Northern Iowa frontcourt that lacks elite size.

Main Pick: St. John?s Red Storm

Over/Under Pick: Under the Total

Player Prop Picks: Zuby Ejiofor?s Over the Rebounds Total

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TNT Thursday ? VCU vs. North Carolina Odds

Tuesday, March 17, 2026

The North Carolina Tar Heels and the VCU Rams meet in the first round of the NCAA Division I Men?s Basketball Tournament in a matchup that many analysts consider one of the more competitive games of the opening round.

The Tar Heels enter the tournament with a 24-8 record but have struggled recently, losing their last two games, including an 80-79 defeat to Clemson in the ACC Tournament quarterfinals. A major factor for North Carolina is the absence of freshman star Caleb Wilson, who is out for the season after thumb surgery.

VCU arrives as one of the hottest teams in the country, having won 16 of its last 17 games, including a second consecutive Atlantic 10 Tournament Championship after defeating Dayton 70-62. The Rams are led by sophomore guard Terrance Hill Jr., who averages 14.4 points, and junior forward Lazar Djokovic, who contributes 13.8 points and 5.4 rebounds per game.

Under first-year head coach Phil Martelli Jr., VCU has relied on a high-pressure defensive style and on its guards' ability to penetrate and create scoring opportunities.

Get the latest 2026 NCAA Tournament news, check out the current betting lines for the games, and don?t miss the basketball action, all with the best odds at BookMaker!

VCU Rams vs. North Carolina Tar Heels Odds at Bookmaker

The NCAA Tournament first-round matchup between the sixth-seeded North Carolina Tar Heels and the eleventh-seeded VCU Rams is scheduled for Thursday, March 19, 2026, at Bon Secours Wellness Arena, Greenville, South Carolina. Media coverage will air on TNT, with a tip-off time set for 6:50 PM Eastern Time on Thursday, March 19, 2026.

The North Carolina Tar Heels enter their opening round game against the VCU Rams as a 2.5-point favorite.

The over-under for total points scored in the matchup is set at 142.5, suggesting oddsmakers expect a moderately paced game despite the Rams' typically aggressive defensive pressure.

The moneyline lists the Tar Heels as a -145 favorite. Conversely, the VCU Rams are positioned as a +120 underdog.

VCU Rams

VCU enters the NCAA Tournament with a straight-up record of 27-7 after clinching the Atlantic 10 Tournament title with a victory over Dayton.

The Rams have been a reliable option for bettors recently, but hold a season-long record of 16-15 against the spread. This mark improved late in the season, as the team covered in five of its last six games and posted an 8-4 record against the spread on the road.

Regarding the over-under, the Rams have trended toward the under in recent weeks, with the under hitting in eight of their last 12 games overall and in each of their last 5 road games. The total has gone under in three of their last five matchups as their defensive efficiency has stifled opponents during this late-season winning streak.

North Carolina Tar Heels

The North Carolina Tar Heels enter the NCAA Tournament with a straight-up record of 24-8 after a late-season skid that saw them drop their final two contests against NC State and Clemson.

North Carolina has been less consistent for bettors this year, posting an 18-14 record against the spread while failing to cover in three of their last four games.

Regarding the over-under, the Tar Heels have seen the over hit in 16 of their 32 games this season. However, their last two games both stayed under the projected total as the team struggled to find reliable scoring options in the absence of their primary playmaker.

VCU vs. North Carolina Best Bets

Wise Guys like VCU and the 2.5 points as the underdog. The Rams enter the tournament with massive momentum, having won sixteen of their last seventeen games, while North Carolina is reeling from the loss of their leading scorer, Caleb Wilson.

Additionally, sharps will be taking under on the total of 142.5 points. The Rams typically slow the pace in postseason play, and their defensive efficiency often keeps opponents well below their season averages.

On the VCU side, the over on assists for sophomore guard Terrance Hill Jr. is a notable play given his role as the primary facilitator in the Rams' high-pressure offense.

Main Pick: VCU Rams

Over/Under Pick: Under the Total

Player Prop Picks: Terrance Hill Jr. Over the Assists Total

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Basketball Betting ? FIBA Odds Analysis

Moay, Augu 5, 2019

The United States has won the last two titles at the FIBA World Cup of Basketball, but the international gap is closing. And the U.S. has seen a number of its best players decline an invitation to the 2019 FIBA World Cup. The country that invented the game still has the biggest talent pool to pick from and thus the U.S. is a negative odds favorite at online sportsbooks to add to its record number of gold medals at the games.

A record 32 countries will participate in the 2019 FIBA World Cup in China, which starts on Saturday, August 31, with pool play and concludes on Sunday, September 15, with the gold and bronze medal games. The favorite to win a third straight gold medal, Team USA isn?t the can?t-miss pick it often is in international tournaments.

With 92 games played over 16 days, the FIBA World Cup offers plenty of betting options. And BookMaker.eu has you covered when you?re ready to make that wager.

2019 FIBA World Cup Odds at BookMaker.eu

USA -255

Serbia +325

Spain +1802

Greece +1802

France +3005

Australia +3858

Canada +5000

Lithuania +6000

Argentina +8000

Russia +10000

Italy +12500

Turkey +15000

Germany +15000

Brazil +15000

Poland +20000

Puerto Rico +25000

Montenegro +25000

New Zealand +30000

Czech Republic +40000

China +50000

Nigeria +50000

Dominican Republic +50000

Philippines +75000

Jordan +75000

South Korea +75000

Venezuela +75000

Japan +75000

Angola +75000

Iran +75000

Tunisia +75000

Ivory Coast +85000

Senegal +85000

Team USA -255

Let?s face it the guys make too much money playing in the NBA to risk injury in a tournament that?s not very highly regarded by U.S. standards. In addition to a number of NBA starts declining an invitation, the team recently saw James Harden, Anthony Davis, Damian Lillard and Bradley Beal withdraw their names. This isn?t the star-studded group we?ve seen in past competitions and the odds are likely to increase over the coming weeks as roster movement is fluid.

Of the players currently on the roster, only one ? Kemba Walker ? was an All-NBA pick last season. Walker and Khris Middleton were the only All-Stars, and only Walker, Julius Randle and Donovan Mitchell scored more than 20 points per game last NBA season. One area this group can be special is on defense. With Gregg Popovich coaching, you know Team USA is going to be strong, but can it topple the field for a third straight time?

Serbia +325

They are the second favorite for a reason. With an abundance of NBA talent and fiery national team stars, the Serbs might have the best chance of upsetting the Americans if and when they play. Nikola Jokic is the centerpiece of the squad, but Bogdan Bogdanovich, Nemanja Bjelica and Milos Teodosic can all fill it up. Playing in a group with Angola, the Phillippines and Italy, shouldn?t offer much resistance, but there are few easy outs in this tournament.

Spain +1802

The Spaniards aren?t as deep as Team USA and Serbia, but they have a strong cast of starters. Pau Gasol, a mainstay on the national team, is out with an injury, but toss in his brother Marc, Ricky Rubio and the Hernangomez brothers, and you have a potent group. A few big names won?t be playing when Serge Ibaka and Nikola Mirotic backed out of the games, and that?s a huge loss for a team without much depth.

France +3005

Much like Spain, France has a definite NBA feel at the top of the roster but lacks depth the deeper you go. Rudy Gobert is the biggest name on the national team and he?s been the team?s ambassador leading up to the games. Gobert made a name for himself at the last FIBA World Cup with his defensive prowess helping France win its only medal in the history of the tournament. Now an established NBA veteran, he?ll be flanked by Nicolas Batum and Evan Fournier to give the French balance in the starting five.

Greece +1802

Basketball is a team sport, but it certainly helps when the best player in the NBA is on your side. If you?re looking for a team to back why not throw down on Greece, which has the best all-around player in the tournament on its side. Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks to the best record in the NBA last season, claiming league MVP honors along the way. They were stopped short of a Finals appearance making this another chance for Antetokounmpo to come out a winner. The hill is much tougher to climb than Spain or France, but this is a rare opportunity for
Giannis to play with his brothers Thanasis and Kostas, and that?s pretty frightening.

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