26th March NBA Picks

An 11-game slate tonight, and I’ve got my focus on a guard who’s seen a massive uptick in minutes as of late.

Detroit Pistons @ NY Knicks: McBride O16.5 Points + Rebounds (1.86, bet365)

In the absence of key starters for the Knicks (Randle, OG Anunoby etc.), coach Thibodeau has been experimenting with the starting 5, and McBride has been the beneficiary of late.

In the last three games, he’s averaged over 45 minutes per game, including playing the entire 48 minutes against Brooklyn Nets.

His stats in those games read:

• 28 Points + Rebounds vs Nets
• 14 Points + Rebounds vs Nuggets
• 30 Points + Rebounds vs Warriors

He’s flown over this line in 2/3, and went close in a tough matchup against the Nuggets. Should he see a similar number of minutes against the Pistons, he should go close.

It’s a 18 point spread, so a high blowout potential, but I still see McBride’s minutes being somewhat secure. Thibodeau this season hasn’t opted to rest key players even in blowouts too much, and should the game get too far out of hand, I imagine the likes of Brunson, Hartenstein and DiVincenzo get the rest over McBride, players with injury history so far this season, more important for a playoff run.

Pick 1: Detroit Pistons @ NY Knicks: McBride O16.5 Points + Rebounds (1.86, bet365)