The second weekend in March is always a great sports weekend with the PLAYERS Championship, conference tournaments, and the final stretch of the NBA season. Let’s look at our best bets for the weekend.
Pelicans vs Thunder
Matt: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 20+ points
Shai has played some of his best basketball this year and is averaging 31.2 PPG. I think it’s safe to say he gets 20 against a injured Pels group.
James: Trey Murphy III 15+ points
If the Pelicans want to make it into the playoffs, they’ll need help from Trey Murphy as CJ McCollum won’t be able to do it all.
The PLAYERS Championship
Matt: Scottie Scheffler (+200)
Scottie has been playing his best golf in this stretch the last two years and TPC Sawgrass is a place he hasn’t won yet. That changes this weekend.
James: Collin Morikawa (+600)
Even though the Players Championship was suspended on Friday and Morikawa was +1 through 11 holes, that’s the type of reset he could use to eventually win as he’s been tied for third the whole tournament.
United Rentals Work United 500 Winner
Matt: Kyle Larson (+850)
Larson has one win and 4 Top 10s in his career at Phoenix. He got close last weekend by finishing P2, so I could see him cracking through and going to victory lane for the first time this season.
James: Joey Logano (+800)
Logano is really good in Phoenix as in six races there since 2020 he has won twice and has an average finish of fourth.
Celtics vs Hawks
Matt: Tatum 30+/Boston to win (+152)
Jayson Tatum is playing at a MVP level this season, and the Celtics are easily contending for the NBA title. Against a poor Hawks group, Tatum goes off and the Celts win.
James: Jayson Tatum 30+ points (-125)
Tatum is averaging 30 a game and is going against a Hawks team that is ranked 21st in the league in points given up per game.
SEC Mens Tournament Champ
Matt: Alabama (+140)
Alabama won’t be denied in this SEC Tournament, even with all the outside issues in the program. Brandon Miller is a top prospect and has been playing his best basketball as of late.
James: Alabama (+140)
Even with all of the distractions with that program I still think the Crimson Tide will be the winner of the SEC in 2023.
Odds via Fanduel Sportsbook