Sunday NBA Best Bets March 1: Can the Knicks make a statement at MSG?

Last Updated on March 1, 2026 3:58 pm by Alex Becker

Sunday has more than two-thirds of the league in action as the first week of March 2026 begins. It features 11 contests on a full NBA slate with start times ranging from 1:00 PM ET to 9:30 PM ET. Can the Knicks cover the 2-point spread as home underdogs against the Spurs? Will the Hawks win by 6+ points at State Farm Arena in Atlanta against the Blazers? I’ll make picks for both contests below. Read on for our Sunday NBA Best Bets March 1 article.

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NBA Best Bet: New York Knicks +2 over San Antonio Spurs

I like New York here. The Knicks are well-positioned to cover the 2-point spread as home underdogs against the San Antonio Spurs due to their consistently solid performance at Madison Square Garden.

New York has been a reliable bet at home this season, posting an impressive 19-11 ATS record in front of their fans. They’ve also been able to generate and maintain momentum, going 21-17 ATS following a win this year. The Knicks sport a 6-5 ATS mark when playing with a rest disadvantage this season, and their grit in tight windows makes them a high-value play to not only cover but win outright.

Final score projection: NEW YORK KNICKS 114, SAN ANTONIO SPURS 111.

NBA Best Bet: Portland Trail Blazers +5.5 over Atlanta Hawks

I’d take Portland in this contest. The Trail Blazers are strong candidates to cover the 5.5-point spread as road underdogs against the Atlanta Hawks, thanks to their exceptional performance in high-fatigue situations.

Portland has been a “bet-on” team in tough spots, going 8-4 ATS on no rest and 5-3 ATS when playing with a rest disadvantage this season. The Blazers’ consistency extends beyond schedule quirks, as they boast a 20-17 ATS record as underdogs and a 26-23 ATS mark in non-division games in 2025-26.

Historically, Portland has dominated this matchup, going 7-2 ATS in their last 9 games against Atlanta, suggesting they have the tactical edge to keep this game tight or win it outright.

Final score projection: ATLANTA HAWKS 120, PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS 117.