NBA Odds, Picks, Best Bets for Thursday: Top Plays for March 5
Thursday’s NBA slate offers a strong mix of opportunities across spreads, player props and a parlay with tremendous upside. With the regular season entering its final stretch, teams are beginning to settle into tighter rotations and star players are carrying heavier offensive workloads.
That type of consistency can help identify some of the best NBA bets today, especially when focusing on players with clear roles and teams in competitive matchups. Across tonight’s slate there are several spots that stand out, from underdogs capable of keeping games close to player props tied to high-usage offensive players.
Here are the best NBA picks today from Thursday’s action.
All Odds via DraftKings
Game Lines
Detroit Pistons +3.5 (-114) vs San Antonio Spurs
Detroit continues to play as well as anyone in the league behind its young core, particularly with Cade Cunningham driving the offense. The Pistons have shown an ability to keep games close, especially when they control the pace and limit turnovers. Getting points in this spot creates value against a San Antonio team that can still be inconsistent defensively at times, as two of the top three teams in the league clash.
Chicago Bulls +11.5 (-110) vs Phoenix Suns
Double-digit spreads always create potential value, and Chicago has enough scoring to stay within striking distance. The Bulls have several perimeter scorers capable of going on runs, and in a league where teams can erase deficits quickly, taking the points in this type of matchup becomes appealing. The Suns' offensive inconsistencies should also be factored in here as well.
Denver Nuggets -5.5 (-109) vs Los Angeles Lakers
Denver remains one of the most difficult teams in the league to beat on its home floor. Nikola Jokic continues to orchestrate the NBA’s most efficient offenses, and the Nuggets’ ball movement and spacing consistently create high-quality shots. If Denver controls the tempo the way it often does at home, covering this number is well within reach against a Lakers team that struggles to play any defense.
Player Props
Kyle Filipowski over 0.5 made threes (-210)
Filipowski’s skillset fits perfectly in today’s NBA, where stretch bigs provide spacing and offensive versatility. Utah has been comfortable letting him step out beyond the arc, and needing just one made three makes this prop highly attainable.
Cooper Flagg over 19.5 points (-105)
Flagg has rapidly become a primary scoring option thanks to his versatile offensive game. He can attack the rim, score in transition, and knock down jumpers from the perimeter. With a significant offensive role, the path to a 20-point night is clearly there if he gets standard minutes in his first game back from injury.
Amen Thompson over 7.5 rebounds (-109)
Thompson’s athleticism and motor make him a major factor on the glass despite playing on the perimeter. His length allows him to grab rebounds in traffic, and Houston frequently relies on his ability to generate extra possessions through his rebounding activity.
Russell Westbrook over 5.5 assists (+115)
Westbrook remains an aggressive playmaker who constantly pressures defenses with his ability to attack downhill. When defenses collapse to stop his drives, passing lanes open up across the floor. If he controls the ball for extended stretches, reaching six assists is well within his normal range of outcomes.
Today’s Best Parlay (+577)
Austin Reaves over 18.5 points (-125)
De’Aaron Fox over 16.5 points (-104)
Alperen Sengun over 19.5 points (-109)
This scoring-focused parlay centers on three players who regularly carry significant offensive responsibility. Reaves has developed into a consistent scoring option for the Lakers, frequently benefiting from the attention drawn by the team’s stars. Fox remains one of the fastest guards in the league and thrives attacking the rim and pushing the pace. Sengun serves as Houston’s offensive hub, operating through the post and generating efficient scoring opportunities. With each player capable of clearing these modest scoring lines, the trio creates a parlay with appealing upside.
New Customers: Bet $5+ Get $300 in Bonus Bets Instantly There are plenty of angles on Thursday’s slate, whether you are targeting spreads, player production, or a higher-upside parlay. As always, be sure to check multiple sportsbooks to ensure you get the best odds.
All Odds as of 11:59 p.m. ET on March 4
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