Wise n' Shine: NBA picks, NHL predictions and March Madness best bets for Wednesday, March 15

Photo of Phil Agius

Phil Agius

NBA

Show Bio

I've been writing about the NFL and a host of other sports for the UK's top daily betting paper the Racing Post for more than 20 years. An incurable Browns fan (1-31 survivor), I also specialise in all kinds of motorsport betting including F1, MotoGP, IndyCar and NASCAR.

Welcome to another wonderful Wednesday of sports, Pickswise Nation. We have an action-packed day ahead with NBA, NHL, college basketball and soccer on today’s schedule, so let’s get straight to making your next bet better!

About Last Night

NBA parlay cashes at +612 odds
Pickswise followers who tailed our Tuesday NBA parlay at +612 odds never had a sweat as the Cavaliers, Raptors and Lakers all won by 15 or more points against the Hornets, Nuggets and Pelicans, respectively. The Bucks beat the Suns 116-104 to reach 50 wins on the season.

2-0 day for NHL props
Our NHL props expert Mark Lammey had a perfect 2-0 day on Tuesday’s ice slate, which also saw the Hurricanes beat the Jets 5-3 and the Lightning overcome the Devils 4-1, but the Bruins have now lost 3 of their last 4 games after a 6-3 loss to the Blackhawks.

Islanders and Panthers advance
If the rest of the NCAA Tournament is as competitive as the opening First Four games, we should be in for quite a month. Texas A&M Corpus Christi became the 61st team to enter the main bracket after a 75-71 win over Southeast Missouri State before Pittsburgh got past Mississippi State by a single point, 60-59.

Need a new sportsbook? Check out SuperBook, which is the top-rated sportsbook in Vegas and has a great new customer offer where you can claim up to $250 as a sign-up bonus when you use promo code “Pickswise”. Click here to join SuperBook.

Today’s Slate

Warriors vs Clippers on ESPN
Today’s 7-game NBA slate includes 2 games on ESPN with the 76ers visiting the Cavaliers at 7:30 pm ET and Warriors vs Clippers at 10:00 pm ET. You can read all of today’s NBA predictions.

Avs vs Maple Leafs on TNT
There are just 4 NHL games today but TNT has a great double-header of Avalanche vs Maple Leafs at 7:00 pm ET and Wild vs Blues at 9:30 pm ET. We have NHL picks for today’s games.

Last 2 NCAA Tournament spots available
The final 2 First Four games bring us Farleigh Dickinson vs Texas Southern at 6:40 pm ET, and Nevada vs Arizona State at 9:10 pm ET, with both games on truTV. Take a look at today’s college basketball predictions. There’s also Champions League action today, and we have soccer picks for today’s games.

Best Bet of the Day

NBA: Over 230 in Los Angeles Lakers vs Houston Rockets
8:00 pm ET

LeBron James scored 48 points when the Lakers and Rockets combined for 272 points in their first game this season. LeBron is not with the team right now as he recovers from a foot injury but this should be another high-scoring game. The Lakers will have to speed things up if Anthony Davis sits out, and playing smaller generally means an increase in tempo. Nobody does that better than the Lakers, who rank 2nd in pace with an average of 104 possessions per game. The Rockets are really struggling defensively, allowing 116.5 points per 100 possessions and the over has cashed 6 times in their last 9 games as well as 5 of the teams’ last 6 meetings. Read our full Lakers vs Rockets predictions.

You can bet on this Lakers vs Rockets pick over at Caesars, which has a great sign-up offer where you can get up to $1,250 back on your first bet! Click here to sign up for Caesars right now.

Must-read

Today’s NBA coverage includes our NBA mega parlay and we also have today’s NHL mega parlay and NHL player props, while our expert golf analyst Diane Knox Balas has this week’s Valspar Championship predictions.

Our NCAA Tournament analysis and picks are all available through our March Madness hub, including our experts’ best bets, #5 vs #12 analysis and our comprehensive team guide. There are also Champions League best bets for today’s soccer.

Be sure to head over to the Analysis tab for even more great sports betting content as it arrives throughout the day.

Stat of the Day

The Kings have won in just 3 of their last 12 visits to United Center to play the Bulls.

Quote of the Day

“S***s sad fr.”

Raiders running back Josh Jacobs did not seem pleased about TE Darren Waller being traded to the Giants on Twitter.

Now you can bet any of our Wednesday predictions at FanDuel Sportsbook, which has a great new-customer offer to take advantage of. If you sign up for FanDuel right now, you can get 10 x your first wager in bonus bets up to $200. Click here to join FanDuel right now.

Pickswise is the home of free sports picks, news, and best bets. Check out our expert NBA picks, MLB picks, NHL picks and Soccer picks for the latest game picks.

Virginia Bonuses

See All
BetMGM
EXCLUSIVE OFFER: Bet on CBB Tournament and get $1,000 Paid Back in Bonus Bets if you Don't Win + $25 Bonus Bet

Register for a new BetMGM account & deposit

Place your first bet and get refunded up to $1,000 in bonus bets if you don't win

Plus receive a $25 Bonus Bet after placing your qualifying wager

Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER CO, OH, IL, IN, LA, MD, MS, NJ, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY 21+ to wager. Please Gamble Responsibly. Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (KS, NV), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-270-7117 for confidential help (MI). Visit BetMGM.com for Terms & Conditions. US promotional offers not available in DC, Nevada, New York or Ontario
FanDuel Sportsbook
Get a $1,000 No Sweat Bet on any CBB Tournament Game!

Sign up for a new FanDuel Sportsbook account

Make a first-time deposit of $10+, and then place your first real-money wager on FanDuel Sportsbook

New customers get their first bet paid back in bonus bets up to $1,000 if you lose!

Must be 21+. First online real money wager only. $10 first deposit required. Bonus issued as non-withdrawable free bets that expire 14 days after receipt. See full terms at fanduel.com/sportsbook.
DraftKings
Bet $5+ any College Basketball Pre-Game ML And Get $150 in Bonus Bets if your Team Wins

Sign up for a new account with DraftKings Sportsbook and make your first deposit

Make your first deposit and bet $5+ on any pre-game ML

Get $150 in bonus bets if your team wins

Gambling Problem? Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY), If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (CO/IL/IN/LA/MD/MI/NJ/PA/TN/WV/WY), 1-800-NEXT STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (KS), 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), or 1-888-532-3500 (VA). 21+ (18+ WY). Physically present in AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/KS/LA(select parishes)/MD/MI/NJ/NY/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. Void in OH/ONT. Eligibility restrictions apply. Valid 1 per new customer. Min. $5 deposit. Min. $5 bet. $150 issued as bonus bets that expire 7 days (168 hours) after being awarded. See terms at sportsbook.draftkings.com..
Unibet
Virginia Bettors- Get a $100 Free Bet for the CBB Tournament

Register for a new Unibet account & make a deposit

Place your first bet up to $100 free!

Get refunded up if you lose up to $100

New players only. Terms & conditions apply. 21+. VA only.
bet365
Bet $1 on the CBB Tournament and Get $365 in Bonus Bets at bet365!

Register for a new bet365 account

Place qualifying bets of $1 or more

Get $365 in bonus bets - no matter if your bet wins or loses

New Customer Offer. Deposit required. Bonus Bets added to Bonus Bet Credits balance. Bonus Bet risk excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits, and exclusions apply. Must be physically located in VA.
WynnBet
Bet $100 on the CBB Tournament & Get $100 Bet Credit

Register for a WynnBET account today.

Deposit & Wager $100 on any sports market (odds -120 or greater).

Get a $100 Bet Credit.

Must be 21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
BetRivers
Get a $500 Free Bet for the CBB Tournament

Sign up for a new BetRivers account using promo code PICKSWISE

Make your first deposit & get up to $500 in free bets

To get $500 in free bets, wager $500

Must be 21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-BETS OFF
Caesars Sportsbook
Your First Cash Bet on the CBB Tournament Is On Caesars Up To $1,250

Sign up for a new Caesars Sportsbook account and Place your 1st wager of $10 or more

If you lose, you get 100% of your stake back as a Bet Credit - up to $1,250.

AND win or lose, you’ll also get 1,000 Reward Credits® and 1,000 Tier Credits.

21+. Terms and conditions apply.
DraftKings
Get a $1,000 Deposit Bonus when you bet on the CBB Tournament

Create a new DraftKings Sportsbook account and make your first deposit (min $5)

DraftKings will match 20% of your deposit up to $1,000 total

To get a $100 bonus, deposit $500

21+. Terms & conditions apply.
BetMGM
Get $1,000 Paid Back in Bonus Bets if you Don't Win your CBB Tournament Bet

Register for a new BetMGM account & deposit

Place your first bet up to $1,000!

Get refunded up to $1,000 in bonus bets if you don't win

Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER CO, IL, IN, LA, MD, MS, NJ, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY 21+ to wager. Please Gamble Responsibly. Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (KS, NV), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-270-7117 for confidential help (MI). Visit BetMGM.com for Terms & Conditions. US promotional offers not available in DC, Nevada, New York or Ontario
TVG
Get Your First Single-Horse Win Wager Back Up to $200 if you don't win

Register for a new TVG account and make a deposit

Place your first single horse win-type bet up to $200

If your horse doesn't win you'll get a refund up to $300

21+. T&C's apply. Please gamble responsibly.
TwinSpires
Get a $200 Sign-Up Bonus with Twinspires Racebook!

Open your TwinSpires.com account using offer code BET200

$200 bonus cash will be credited in increments of $100 for every $400 wagered

To earn the full $200 bonus players must wager $800 within 30 days

21+. Terms and conditions apply.
Underdog Fantasy
First deposit is 100% matched up to $100 with Underdog Fantasy

Sign up for a new account with Underdog Fantasy

Make your first deposit

Every dollar (up to $100) will be matched! Deposit $25, get $50; deposit $100, get $200, etc

Must be 21+ to play. Terms & conditions apply
Owners Box
First Time Deposit Bonus Up To $500

Sign up for a new DFS account with OwnersBox

User's first deposit will be matched up to $500 in site-credit

Join one of their Daily NFL, NBA, MLB, or NHL contests

You must be at least eighteen (18) years of age to receive deposit bonuses, participate in Contests, or win prizes offered through OwnersBox Contests. In jurisdictions, territories, and locations where the minimum age for permissible use of Contests is greater than eighteen (18) years old, you must meet the age requirement in your local jurisdiction or territory.