2024 NBA bets, lines and stats for Saturday - ESPN

As the NBA season continues forward, Saturday brings us a basketball bonanza with seven captivating games on the schedule. The matchup I'm most excited about is the one between the Boston Celtics and Phoenix Suns, which will be on ABC. With star players like Jayson Tatum, Kevin Durant and Devin Booker, among others, this game promises a showcase of talent. However, from a betting perspective, my focus will be on a few other games.

Here are some of my favorite bets for Saturday:

Nic Claxton over 24.5 points, rebounds and assists: The Hornets have been an abomination on defense all season, ranking 28th in points allowed per 100 possessions. The game between the Nets and Hornets has the lowest point total on the slate, but Claxton can contribute to multiple statistical categories. He has cleared this line in four of his past five games. The Hornets rank near the bottom of the league in points allowed (20th), rebounds allowed (27th), and assists per game allowed (26th) to centers.

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Mikal Bridges over 3.5 assists: The Hornets rank 26th in assists per game allowed. Bridges has surpassed this line in 11 of his past 20 games and in 54% of his games this season. He has also cleared this line in two games against the Hornets. Bridges has had a usage rate of 25.7% in games without Ben Simmons this season.

Cade Cunningham over 7.5 assists: He has cleared this line in six of his past 10 games. The Pistons and Mavericks have the highest point total on the slate and neither of these teams are great on defense. Plus, they both play at a fast pace. Dallas ranks 22nd in assists per game allowed and 27th in