Bryan Bash posted a 4-5 record on Monday, March 23, 2026, navigating a challenging slate that featured several blowouts and a pair of close finishes. The handicapper found success with underdog plays on Detroit and Chicago while connecting on favorites Atlanta and Portland, but losses on Miami, Philadelphia, Dallas, Utah, and Orlando prevented a winning day.
San Antonio Spurs @ Miami Heat
Bash’s pick of Miami Heat +5.0 Lost decisively as the Spurs rolled to a 136-111 victory. Victor Wembanyama dominated with 26 points, 15 rebounds, and five blocked shots as San Antonio clinched the Southwest Division with their sixth consecutive win. The Spurs controlled the game from the opening tip, building leads of 38-31 and 76-58 through the first two quarters. San Antonio’s rebounding advantage (62-38) and superior field goal percentage (47.5% to 40.0%) proved overwhelming. The Spurs are now an NBA-best 22-2 since the start of February, and this performance showcased why, as they led by as many as 30 points against a sliding Miami squad.
Los Angeles Lakers @ Detroit Pistons
The Detroit Pistons +2.5 selection Won as the Pistons ended the Lakers’ nine-game winning streak with a 113-110 victory. Daniss Jenkins scored a career-high 30 points, including six crucial points in the final 34 seconds. Detroit’s second quarter proved decisive, as they outscored Los Angeles 42-25 to build a commanding halftime lead. The Pistons’ exceptional three-point shooting (42.3%) compared to the Lakers’ struggles from beyond the arc (27.6%) created the margin needed to withstand Luka Doncic’s 32-point performance. Detroit won their fourth straight and seventh in eight games with the upset.
Oklahoma City Thunder @ Philadelphia 76ers
The 76ers +15.5 pick Lost as Oklahoma City cruised to a 123-103 victory, covering by nearly five points. The defending NBA champions improved to 57-15 with their 12th consecutive win. Philadelphia’s dismal free throw shooting (44.4%) highlighted their struggles against the league’s best team. The Thunder dominated the first half, outscoring the short-handed 76ers 65-43 through two quarters. Despite VJ Edgecombe’s 35-point effort for Philadelphia, Oklahoma City’s balanced attack and superior shooting percentages (53.3% from the field, 43.9% from three) made this one a comfortable cover.
Houston Rockets @ Chicago Bulls
Chicago Bulls +8.0 Won outright as the Bulls defeated Houston 132-124. Matas Buzelis’ layup in the final seconds put Chicago ahead to stay after the Bulls had squandered a 22-point lead. Chicago’s explosive 41-point first quarter set the tone early, building a 41-21 advantage. The Bulls’ remarkable three-point shooting (50.0%) proved crucial, as did their free throw advantage (82.1% to Houston’s 62.5%). Collin Sexton came off the bench to score 25 points for Chicago, who improved to 29-42 while helping San Antonio clinch the Southwest Division with Houston’s loss.
Memphis Grizzlies @ Atlanta Hawks
The Atlanta Hawks -14.5 selection Won comfortably as the Hawks routed Memphis 146-107, covering by nearly 25 points. Eight Atlanta players scored in double figures, led by Nickeil Alexander-Walker’s 26 points. The Hawks dominated every quarter, building a 10-point lead after one, extending it to 25 at halftime (71-46), and holding an insurmountable 41-point advantage after three quarters. Atlanta’s shooting efficiency (53.3% from the field, 46.3% from three) and assist distribution (37 assists) overwhelmed the Grizzlies. The victory marked Atlanta’s 11th straight home win and 13th victory in 14 games.
Golden State Warriors @ Dallas Mavericks
The Mavericks +2.0 pick Lost as Golden State prevailed 137-131 in overtime. Moses Moody scored 23 points before suffering an apparently serious left knee injury late in overtime. Dallas extended their home losing streak to 12 games, their longest in 32 years, despite Cooper Flagg’s 32-point, 9-assist performance. The Mavericks actually shot better from the field (58.6%) and from three (44.4%), but Golden State’s significant rebounding advantage (49-26) and superior overtime execution (11-5) made the difference. The Warriors dominated the extra period to secure the cover.
Toronto Raptors @ Utah Jazz
Utah Jazz +12.5 Lost as Toronto won 143-127, covering by more than three points. The Raptors’ third quarter proved devastating, as they outscored Utah 49-30 to break open a close game. Toronto’s exceptional shooting performance (61.4% from the field, 54.1% from three) and franchise-level 49 assists overwhelmed the Jazz. RJ Barrett led with 27 points while Scottie Barnes added 20 points and 10 assists. Despite Ace Bailey’s 37-point effort for Utah, the Raptors’ offensive explosion kept them comfortably ahead of the number.
Indiana Pacers @ Orlando Magic
The Orlando Magic -13.0 selection Lost as Indiana snapped their franchise-record 16-game losing streak with a 128-126 upset victory. Pascal Siakam scored 37 points and blocked Paolo Banchero’s potential game-tying layup in the final seconds. Indiana’s third quarter surge, outscoring Orlando 44-31, turned a 15-point halftime deficit into a lead. The Pacers’ superior shooting from three-point range (45.7% to 35.3%) and the free throw line (91.7% to 75.0%) provided the edge. Banchero’s 39 points weren’t enough as the Magic lost their fifth straight.
Brooklyn Nets @ Portland Trail Blazers
Portland Trail Blazers -14.5 Won convincingly as the Blazers demolished Brooklyn 134-99, Portland’s largest margin of victory this season. Toumani Camara posted career highs with nine three-pointers and 35 points, making 10 of 12 shots from the field. Portland’s shooting efficiency (55.0% from the field, 47.4% from three) and rebounding advantage (45-32) dominated the Nets, who have now lost eight straight and 18 of their last 20 games. The 35-point victory gave Bash a comfortable cover to close the night.
Bash’s 4-5 performance reflected the difficulty of handicapping a slate featuring several mismatches and unpredictable outcomes. While the handicapper correctly identified value in Detroit’s upset of the Lakers and Chicago’s resilience against Houston, losses on Miami and Philadelphia against elite opponents, plus the tough beat on Orlando’s collapse against Indiana, prevented a profitable day. The comfortable wins on Atlanta and Portland provided some consolation in an otherwise challenging evening.
