Tiny Nick’s Gambling Picks: 03/26

Locks

NBA (0.5 Unit) Milwaukee Bucks/Denver Nuggets First Quarter Over 56.5 (-110; Odds via DraftKings): 8:00 PM CT on Altitude

You’re not going to find a lower number for a first quarter in Denver, and I have to jump in on the discount. Yes, there’s very good reason for this being an abnormal total, with Damian Lillard out, Nikola Jokic likely to be out, and Giannis Antetokounmpo also questionable. But both squads still have plenty of excellent shooters among their role players and others that will get more run early in this game. These are excellent three-point shooting teams no matter who’s on or off the floor, and they’re not going to go away from their up-tempo styles, so I’ll buy low here and expect another early over in Denver.

CBI Tournament (0.5 Unit) Illinois St/Cleveland St First Half Under 66.5 (-110; Odds via Caesars): 4:00 PM CT on ESPN2

After a busy schedule for both teams in this CBI tournament, I think we see them get out to a slower start in the title game today. Despite these teams combining to go 3-1 to the over in their quarter and semifinal games, none of those games got to this first half total. It makes sense, even against more up-tempo opponents in those games, as these defenses are strong and these two teams love to slow it down.

Both defenses are good at slowing down how the opposing offense wants to score, and Cleveland State is a top-10 team nationally in forcing turnovers which will disrupt some possessions here. But with title game stakes, I’m seeing a feeling out process early in this game and want to avoid late fouling madness, so I like the under early here.

Degenerates

No degenerates today.

Tiny Nick has been writing betting picks for Zone Coverage since 2020. Every day he will offer his Locks and Degenerate picks. Locks are what he’s most confident in, while Degenerates are entertaining but riskier picks.