NBA Picks & Parlay of the Weekend | March 23

There’s plenty of offensive firepower in this battle down in San Antonio between the Suns and Spurs. Rookie Victor Wembanyama does at least one amazing thing in each game for the Spurs, but his team has struggled. Phoenix is comfortably in a playoff spot, but in a tie with the Mavericks. The Suns won eight in a row before losing their last two to the Spurs. There’s a winning parlay here and we’ve got it.

Suns -9.5 (-110) at DraftKings

These two teams played in a back-to-back in the fourth and fifth game of the season, and surprisingly, the Spurs won both games.

A lot has changed since.

Phoenix is 41-29 and tied for sixth with the Mavericks in the West. They’re safely in the playoffs. They’re just 28-40-2 against the spread. Remember, the Suns started the season poorly, but have played well the last four months.

The Spurs were 3-2 after beating the Suns way back in November, and have won just 12 times since. At 15-55, they’re last in the West. Rookie Victor Wembanyama still does some great things each night, but he’s a one-man show. San Antonio has lost five of six and are in danger of posting the worst record in franchise history. San Antonio lost Friday night to Memphis and is 2-9 on back-to-backs.

Take the Suns to cruise by a comfortable margin.

Over 229 (-110) at DraftKings

Even if we weren’t putting together a parlay, I still would be taking the over as a single bet. In their two meetings earlier this season, these two teams combined for 229 and 253 points. Those are the biggest numbers I look at, because it tells you how the styles mesh.

San Antonio can score, and their defense has actually improved lately. They’re giving up 119 points a night, which is now 25th in the NBA. Yes, I know that’s high, but its still better than it was.

Phoenix’ numbers are still skewed by its lousy start. They score 117 a night and allow 114. Kevin Durant leads them with 27.6 points a game, but his scoring has been a tick down lately.

The Suns have too much offensive firepower, no real match-up for Wemby (who does) and the Spurs on a back-to-back? That means tired legs on defense.

Take the over on this one.

Over 25.5 (-115) at DraftKings

The four-time NBA All-Star missed the first meeting back in October with a sprained ankle, then came back for the next game and put up 31 points and 13 rebounds against the Spurs.

San Antonio doesn’t have anyone who can check Booker and when he is hot, he puts up big numbers. Booker scored 30 points against the Hawks Thursday night and has averaged 24.7 in his last 10 games. For the season, he’s averaging 27.1, just behind Durant.

Career wise, Booker doesn’t -own- the Spurs or anything. He’s averaged 23 points in his NBA career against San Antonio, but this sets up as a big night for him.

I love Booker to go over this total.