Handicapper Bryan Bash finished with a split record on Thursday, March 19, 2026, posting a 4-4 mark across eight NBA selections. The day featured a mix of blowouts and close finishes, with Bash finding success on several underdog plays while favorites proved costly.
Lakers @ Heat
Bash’s selection of Miami -3.0 resulted in a loss as the Lakers pulled away for a 134-126 victory. Luka Doncic delivered a spectacular 60-point performance—tying his second-highest career total and breaking the record for a Heat opponent. The Lakers shot an efficient 53.1% from the field and 43.8% from three-point range, while Miami’s 31.6% from beyond the arc proved insufficient despite Bam Adebayo’s 28 points and 10 rebounds. After Miami built a 42-29 first-quarter lead, the Lakers dominated the middle quarters, outscoring the Heat 68-46 in the second and third periods combined to seize control and extend their winning streak to eight games.
Magic @ Hornets
The Charlotte -5.0 play delivered a comfortable win as the Hornets routed Orlando 130-111. Charlotte’s 3-point shooting was the difference, as they connected on 21 of 46 attempts (47.8%) with four players making three or more triples. Reserve Coby White led the barrage with 27 points, while Brandon Miller added 25 points and eight assists. The Hornets built their advantage in the second and third quarters, outscoring Orlando 76-45 during that stretch. Orlando’s 41.9% field goal percentage and 31 rebounds—10 fewer than Charlotte—left them unable to keep pace.
Suns @ Spurs
San Antonio -9.5 resulted in a loss despite the Spurs securing a 101-100 victory on Victor Wembanyama’s 17-foot jumper with one second remaining. While the dramatic finish clinched a playoff spot for San Antonio, ending their six-season drought, it provided no comfort for spread backers. Wembanyama’s 34 points and 12 rebounds led the Spurs, but their 42.2% field goal percentage and 29.4% three-point shooting kept the game tight throughout. The Spurs never established the double-digit cushion needed, making this a painful bad beat on a game-winning shot.
Cavaliers @ Bulls
Bash’s Chicago +13.0 selection cashed as a win despite the Bulls falling 115-110. James Harden’s 36 points and seven three-pointers helped Cleveland build a commanding 29-point third-quarter lead, but the Bulls stormed back with a 37-22 fourth quarter. Chicago cut the deficit to 103-102 late, easily covering the generous spread. The Cavaliers were without Donovan Mitchell due to a bruised left eye, and their inability to maintain composure down the stretch turned what should have been a blowout into a comfortable cover for underdog backers.
Clippers @ Pelicans
New Orleans -1.5 proved successful as the Pelicans defeated the Clippers 105-99 for a win. Trey Murphy III’s 27 points led New Orleans to their seventh consecutive home victory. The Pelicans shot 47.4% from the field and 38.2% from three-point range, while the Clippers struggled to 59.4% from the free-throw line. The game remained close throughout, with no quarter decided by more than four points, but New Orleans controlled the final period 18-15 to secure the cover.
Bucks @ Jazz
Utah +5.0 delivered an emphatic win as the Jazz demolished Milwaukee 128-96. Ace Bailey exploded for 33 points on seven three-pointers, while Cody Williams added 23 points with 19 coming before halftime. The Jazz dominated from the opening tip, building a 30-19 first-quarter lead and never looking back. Utah’s 53.9% field goal percentage and 34 assists overwhelmed a Bucks team that shot just 41.0% from the field. The 32-point margin made this underdog play a stress-free winner.
76ers @ Kings
Sacramento +3.5 resulted in a loss as Philadelphia rolled to a 139-118 victory. Rookie VJ Edgecombe posted a career-high 38 points with 11 assists, while Justin Edwards went 7-of-11 from three-point range to finish with 32 points. The 76ers, playing without Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, shot 50.0% from the field and a scorching 47.2% from deep. Philadelphia’s 45-33 first-quarter explosion set the tone, and they maintained control throughout despite the Kings’ 48.3% shooting. The 21-point margin left no doubt.
Pistons @ Wizards
The Washington +15.5 selection ended in a loss as Detroit cruised 117-95. Jalen Duren recorded 24 points and 11 rebounds in just 25 minutes, dominating a Wizards team that never found rhythm. The Pistons, playing their first game since losing Cade Cunningham to a collapsed lung, jumped out to a 35-14 first-quarter lead and never trailed. Detroit’s 56 rebounds—21 more than Washington—and 32 assists provided complete control. The 22-point final margin exceeded the spread by more than six points.
Bash’s even 4-4 record reflected a day where underdogs provided value, with three of his four winning selections coming on plus-money lines. The losses included two painful results: a game-winning shot that fell short of the spread and a blowout that exceeded a generous number. The split card demonstrates the fine margins in NBA handicapping, where execution and closing stretches often determine outcomes.
