Top NBA Parlay Picks for Thursday: Cavaliers Keep it Close Against Raptors

Kenny Ducey

Last Updated: March 24, 2022 6:37 AM EDT • 2 min 31 sec read. Twitter link Google News Link

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A short NBA slate on Thursday is filled with plenty of great defenses and should create some close games and lower-than-normal stat lines. We lean on that angle with our NBA parlay picks for Thursday.

We have the treat of watching some of the best defenses in the NBA play on Thursday. I think the Phoenix Suns — even if it’s ultimately in defeat — will succeed in slowing down Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic inside and force him to shoot the ball. The New Orleans Pelicans should also keep things up against big man Nikola Vucevic and the Chicago Bulls.

Then, there’s the Cleveland Cavaliers, who have been terrible on defense. That’s not stopping me from backing them, though, against a Toronto Raptors offense which has been a major disappointment of late.

Here’s a look at my top parlay picks for Thursday’s NBA action (odds via FanDuel Sportsbook; pick confidence based on a 1-to-5-star scale).

Thursday's NBA Parlay Picks

Cleveland Cavaliers +5.5 (-112) vs. Toronto Raptors ????Nikola Vucevic Under 29.5 points and rebounds (-108) ?????Nikola Jokic Over 1.5 made 3-pointers (+134) ????

NBA Parlay Predictions

Cavaliers +5.5 (-112)

I realize the Raptors are on a bit of a heater as winners of six of their last eight games, but this line is set far too high. Sure, the Cavaliers have struggled on defense, but you’re going to need to help me understand why the public has been all over Toronto.

Perhaps it’s forward OG Anunoby, who’s trending toward a return, or the continued absence of Cavs center Jarrett Allen, but Toronto has rarely run away with games even in situations like this. The last six times the Raptors were 5.5-point favorites, they failed to cover. That’s a pretty damning trend.

Toronto ranks 23rd in offensive efficiency since the All-Star break and has done little to inspire me. I am generally bullish on this team’s ability to push toward a good playoff spot, but I’m not sure the Raptors are going to be blowing out opponents.

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Vucevic Under 29.5 points and rebounds (-108)

Here’s one thing we know: the Pelicans are a physical team. They do an excellent job of stopping post scorers and rebounding the ball. Since the break, they’re the third-best rebounding team in the league.

Here’s another thing — Vucevic hates playing these guys. The last time he saw the Pelicans — very early in the season — he had just 10 points and four rebounds. It was one of his least-productive games of the season.

The Pelicans have been a revelation since the All-Star break, ranking fourth by defensive efficiency, and I think their run continues here against the talented Vucevic. It’s just not going to be his night.

Jokic Over 1.5 made 3-pointers (+134)

It’s always difficult to pinpoint when exactly Jokic is going to step out and shoot the three. While he’s very capable of knocking down multiple long-distance attempts per game, he rarely does due to his dominance in the post and his passing ability.

He does have 28 games with multiple 3-pointers made this season, and I think this price is just a little off. Why? Well, the Suns have center Deandre Ayton, who has done an exceptional job against opposing bigs this year. The Suns have allowed just 43% shooting in the paint since the All-Star break and a superb 63.9% shooting inside the restricted area — a mark which is seventh in the NBA during that period in time.

Jokic launched six attempts from three the last time he matched up with the Suns, and I think we’ll see a similar story unfold on Thursday.

Combined NBA Parlay Odds: Cavaliers +5.5 (-112) + Vucevic Under 29.5 points & rebounds +Jokic Over 1.5 3-pointers (+134) = +753

Where to Bet on NBA Parlay Picks

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NBA parlay picks made 3/24/2022 at 12:06 p.m. ET.

Written By:
Kenny Ducey

Kenny is a contributor for DraftKings and a former member of the Baseball Writers' Association of America. He's covered Tennis, Football, Basketball, and Baseball dating back to his time at Sports Illustrated. He's based out of New York, where sports have taken a turn for the worst, yet somehow his support for the Jets and Knicks has not wavered in the slightest.