NBA betting favorites have covered spread at amazing rate since Saturday

Those of you who follow my picks on SportsLine likely know that I back NBA favorites of about 7 points or fewer on the moneyline (anything under -300) to avoid a backdoor cover. If the team I'm backing is up 7 points with 30 seconds left, I don't have to stress the final score as I'll win on the moneyline. Won't win as much as if I had bet the spread at -110, obviously, and now I wish I had been backing NBA favorites on the spread since Saturday as they have a stunning 25-3-1 against the spread mark (86.2 percent).

On Saturday, all six favorites covered by at least two points. The biggest number was Bucks -10.5 in Portland and Milwaukee won 137-108. The smallest was Heat -2.5 in Charlotte and Miami cruised 104-86 thanks to outscoring the Hornets 35-8 in the third quarter.

On Sunday, the favorites were 7-1 ATS. Atlanta actually opened as an underdog in Dallas – which was without Kristaps Porzingis, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Maxi Kleber -- but closed as a 1.5-point favorite and lost 103-94.

On Monday, favorites were 3-1-1 ATS. The loss was by Phoenix in Chicago; the Suns were -6.5 and were blowing out the Bulls nearly all game, leading by 15 with under two minutes left but then Chicago went nuts in garbage time to only lose by three points. The push was Golden State winning 110-98 in Oklahoma City as a 12-point favorite. The Dubs could have covered if they wanted as they had the ball with 22 seconds left but ran out the clock.

On Tuesday, favorites were 9-1 ATS. The loss was Philadelphia -1 at home vs. Phoenix, which prevailed 114-109 in a potential NBA Finals preview. Otherwise, every game Tuesday was a blowout in favor of the favorite with an overall 20-point margin of victory in the 10. That's the second-highest margin of victory on a single day in NBA history, behind only April 2, 2021 (21.7).

There are six games Wednesday with the Raptors the biggest favorites at -10 in Oklahoma City and the Bulls the shortest at -1.5 in Charlotte. Early leans are all heavy on the favorites, each getting at least 60 percent of the spread action. Golden State is a rare dog at +2 in Utah without Draymond Green and Klay Thompson.

The action is just getting started at SportsLine. See what we have planned for NBA, college basketball, golf, horse racing and more this spring.

Looking for the best picks against the spread, sharp plays on the total, and props you can take straight to the pay window? Join Jonathan Coachman on the Early Edge as he speaks with SportsLine's top handicappers to preview the day's biggest games. We promise to keep it short, sweet and to put some green in your pocket. Early Edge is in your feed every single day by 11 a.m. ET. Subscribe right here on YouTube to watch daily, plus don't miss the Early Edge specials and live shows!