Bryan Bash posted a solid 3-1 record on March 11, 2026, connecting on three of four NBA selections to deliver a profitable day. The handicapper found success backing underdogs in two outright victories while also cashing a spread play and absorbing just one loss on the evening.
Cavaliers at Magic
Bash opened the night with Orlando +3.5 against Cleveland, and the Magic delivered a winning ticket with a 128-122 victory. Desmond Bane proved instrumental down the stretch, hitting a three-pointer and two free throws in the final 17.4 seconds to cap a 35-point performance and secure Orlando’s fifth consecutive win. Paolo Banchero contributed 25 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, while Tristan da Silva added 23 points with nine coming in the crucial fourth quarter. The Magic built their cushion with a strong third quarter, outscoring Cleveland 34-27 during that frame. Orlando shot 51.8% from the field and controlled the game despite James Harden’s 30 points and Donovan Mitchell’s 25 for the Cavaliers. Cleveland’s 65.4% free throw shooting compared to Orlando’s 75.7% proved costly in a game decided by six points.
Raptors at Pelicans
The second selection proved even more profitable as Bash backed New Orleans at +105 on the moneyline against Toronto. The Pelicans cruised to a 122-111 victory in a winning result, spoiling Brandon Ingram’s return to New Orleans. Trey Murphy III led the way with 28 points while Dejounte Murray posted 27 in his highest-scoring game since returning from a torn Achilles tendon. The Pelicans dominated from beyond the arc, shooting an impressive 48.3% on three-pointers compared to Toronto’s 31.8%. New Orleans also controlled the glass with a 49-43 rebounding advantage and dished out 27 assists to the Raptors’ 20. The third quarter proved decisive as the Pelicans outscored Toronto 33-25 to pull away, extending their recent success to seven wins in their last 10 games.
Knicks at Jazz
Bash’s lone setback came on Utah +12.5 against New York, as the Knicks pulled away for a 134-117 victory that resulted in a loss. Despite trailing 49-31 early in the second quarter, New York mounted a furious comeback behind Jalen Brunson’s 28 points and eight assists. The Knicks dominated the second half, outscoring Utah 40-29 in the third quarter and 38-23 in the fourth to turn a potential cover into a blowout. New York’s 52.2% field goal shooting and 17 made three-pointers at 42.5% overwhelmed the Jazz down the stretch. The Knicks also shot a remarkable 95.5% from the free throw line and out-assisted Utah 37-30. Despite Brice Sensabaugh’s 29 points for the Jazz and Utah’s 50% three-point shooting, the 17-point final margin left the underdog short of the number.
Hornets at Kings
Bash closed the night with a winning selection on Sacramento +12.5 against Charlotte. While the Kings fell 117-109, they covered the spread comfortably despite DeMar DeRozan’s historic 39-point performance that moved him past Tim Duncan into 18th on the NBA’s all-time scoring list. LaMelo Ball scored 30 points with 20 coming in the first half for Charlotte, while Miles Bridges added 26 and rookie Kon Knueppel contributed 24. The Hornets shot 47.5% from three-point range compared to Sacramento’s 32%, and Charlotte’s 94.1% free throw shooting edged the Kings’ 78.6%. However, Sacramento’s 54.2% field goal percentage kept them within striking distance throughout, and the eight-point final margin was well within the 12.5-point spread.
The 3-1 performance gave Bash a profitable evening, with the handicapper successfully identifying value in underdog situations while navigating a mix of moneyline and spread plays. The lone loss came when the Knicks’ second-half surge turned a competitive game into a double-digit defeat that exceeded the generous number.
