Handicapper Bryan Bash posted a solid 5-2 record on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, connecting on five of seven NBA picks to finish the day well in the black. The card featured a mix of favorites and underdogs, with Bash’s winners coming in convincing fashion while his two losses included a blowout that exceeded the generous spread.
Knicks @ Rockets
Bash opened the evening with Houston -1.0, and the Rockets delivered a comfortable win with a 111-94 victory over New York. Kevin Durant led the way with 27 points, six rebounds, and eight assists as Houston never trailed in the contest. The Rockets set the tone with a dominant 37-21 first quarter that built a cushion they would maintain throughout. Houston’s offensive efficiency was on full display, shooting 53.8% from the field and 42.9% from three-point range compared to New York’s struggles at 42.4% and 29.4% respectively. The Rockets also distributed the ball effectively with 35 assists, controlling the game from start to finish in their third consecutive victory.
Cavaliers @ Lakers
The Lakers -1.5 proved to be another winner for Bash as Los Angeles cruised to a 127-113 victory over Cleveland. Luka Doncic put on a show with 42 points and 12 assists, while the Lakers extended their winning streak to four games. Los Angeles took control with a 33-19 second quarter advantage and then blew the game open in the third, outscoring Cleveland 45-30 in that frame. The Lakers’ shooting was exceptional, hitting 54.2% from the field, 41.9% from beyond the arc, and an impressive 92.3% from the free-throw line. That third-quarter surge effectively put the game out of reach and made the spread a comfortable winner.
Raptors @ Pistons
Detroit -2.5 cashed easily as the Pistons celebrated a Central Division title with a 127-116 win over Toronto. Jalen Duren led Detroit with 31 points and nine rebounds in a historic night for the franchise, clinching their first division crown since the 2007-08 season. The Pistons’ shooting was phenomenal, connecting on 60.3% from the field and a scorching 56.5% from three-point range. Detroit built separation with a 41-27 third quarter that pushed their lead to double digits and provided enough cushion to cover despite Toronto’s 35-point fourth-quarter effort.
Suns @ Magic
Bash stayed hot with Orlando -2.0, as the Magic held off Phoenix 115-111 for a winning ticket. Desmond Bane scored 21 points and Jalen Suggs added 20 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists in a crucial victory for Orlando. Despite Devin Booker’s 34 points for Phoenix, including a late three-pointer that cut the deficit to two with 3.1 seconds remaining, Tristan da Silva’s two free throws sealed the outcome. The Magic built their cushion with strong first-half play, leading 70-56 at the break, which proved just enough to withstand Phoenix’s 38-24 third-quarter rally.
Trail Blazers @ Clippers
The first loss of the night came on LA Clippers -6.5, as Portland upset the home team 114-104 to snap the Clippers’ five-game winning streak. Deni Avdija posted 28 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists while Jrue Holiday exploded for 30 points on seven three-pointers as the Trail Blazers dominated the boards 48-30. Portland’s second quarter proved decisive, outscoring the Clippers 28-15 in that frame to take control. The Trail Blazers also shot an outstanding 94.4% from the free-throw line and controlled the glass, which was the difference in a loss for Bash.
Mavericks @ Bucks
Bash bounced back with Milwaukee +1.0, as the Bucks snapped a four-game losing streak with a dominant 123-99 victory over Dallas. Ryan Rollins led Milwaukee with 24 points, seven rebounds, and nine assists, while Kyle Kuzma added 20 points. The Bucks led 65-51 at halftime and never looked back, with Milwaukee making 11 of their first 22 three-pointers in the second half to put the game away. The Bucks’ rebounding edge was massive at 59-50, and Dallas struggled mightily shooting just 35.4% from the field and 27.8% from three-point range.
Hornets @ Nets
The second and final loss came on Brooklyn +16.0, as the Hornets routed the lottery-bound Nets 117-86 in a stunning blowout that exceeded even the large spread. Brandon Miller scored 25 points and Miles Bridges added 19 for Charlotte, which dominated from the opening tip. The Hornets jumped out to a 35-18 first-quarter lead and never let Brooklyn back in the game, with the 31-point margin representing a loss for Bash despite the generous cushion. The Nets shot just 38.4% from the field and a dismal 20.0% from three-point range, while Charlotte controlled the boards 47-30 in a thorough dismantling.
Bash’s 5-2 performance on Tuesday was highlighted by five convincing winners, with most of his successful picks never in doubt down the stretch. The two losses came in different forms—a competitive game that went the wrong way against the Clippers and a complete blowout with the Nets—but the overall day was a profitable one for the handicapper.
