Today’s top games to watch, best bets: Mavericks-Celtics, St. John’s-Seton Hall and more

Here’s a short — and incomplete — list of amazing recoveries from injuries: Kobe Bryant returns just 240 days after tearing his Achilles tendon, and Steve Austin returns “better, stronger, faster” after his horrific accident. The first happened in Hollywood; the latter was created by Hollywood.

Although Jayson Tatum’s recovery from a torn Achilles took a little longer than Bryant’s and isn’t on the same level as that of the fictional Six Million Dollar Man, the comeback is just as remarkable. Consider: Just 288 days ago, the Boston Celtics’ star forward was injured in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Knicks. But on Friday, he is expected to make his return to the court in his season debut for the Celtics against the Dallas Mavericks.

For comparison: Kevin Durant took 561 days to return from his Achilles injury, and Klay Thompson needed 416 days.

If Tatum can contribute this soon after his injury, he could be the difference in a tight race to win the East. The Celtics (41-21) are in second place in the conference, 4½ games behind the Pistons (45-16). The Knicks (40-23) and Cavaliers (39-24) are behind by six and seven games, respectively.

Tatum’s return has already changed the Eastern Conference odds at DraftKings. Just two weeks ago, Cleveland was the favorite to win the East, at +300, ahead of Boston (+310), Detroit (+350) and New York (+380). Now, the Celtics (+240) are favorites, ahead of the Cavaliers (+300), the Pistons (+380) and the Knicks (+400).

For Friday night, Boston is a heavy 15.5 point favorite against Dallas.

While Tatum’s return will be Friday’s star attraction, there are other options in a sports landscape that includes six more NBA games and a partial college basketball schedule. Below is a preview of what to watch and bet on for Friday, March 6. All times are Eastern.

NBA best bets, where to watch

Mavericks at the Celtics

Time: 7 p.m. | Location: Boston | TV: ESPN | Flow: Fubo (Try for free)

SportsLine Choice – Model: Celtics -15.5

There aren’t many easier times for Tatum to get back on the court than Friday against the Mavericks. Dallas has lost five straight and 15 of its last 17 games. Granted, No. 1 overall pick and do-it-all rookie Cooper Flagg missed nine of those games, but, strangely, the Mavericks won two of those games while losing all eight he played in during that stretch. Dallas ranks 26th in the NBA in scoring offense (109.9 points per 100 possessions), while Boston is second (119.9). The SportsLine Projection Model, which simulates every game 10,000 times, says the Celtics have a 69.0% chance to cover and gives Boston a B grade -15.5.

Clippers at the Spurs

Time: 9:30 p.m. | Location: Saint-Antoine | TV: ESPN | Flow: Fubo (Try for free)

SportsLine Choice – Model: Spurs -6.5

Check out this current six-game homestand for the San Antonio Spurs: Pistons (last night), Clippers, Rockets, Celtics, Nuggets and Hornets. These six teams are all in playoff contention and combine for a record of 225-145 (60.8 winning percentage). But there’s arguably no hotter NBA team right now than the Spurs (45-17), who are 13-1 in their last 14 games. They have just won 121-106 against Detroit, leader of the Eastern Conference, on Thursday, in a match in which they have never been led. On Friday, they will face a Los Angeles Clippers team that will be playing without newly acquired point guard Darius Garland (toe). The SportsLine projection model says San Antonio has a 67.0% chance to cover and gives the Spurs a B grade -6.5.

Best college basketball bets, where to watch

VCU at Dayton

Time: 7 p.m. | Location: Dayton, OH | TV: ESPN2 | Flow: Fubo (Try for free)

SportsLine Choice – Model: VCU +109

The VCU Rams can strengthen their case to make the NCAA Tournament when they hit the road to take on the Dayton Flyers at Dayton Arena. The Rams (21-9, 12-5 in Atlantic 10) are currently in the final four games of CBS Sports Bracketology and are widely considered a bubble team for the tournament. Their strength lies in their ability to get to the free throw line; they rank eighth in the nation in free throws made per game (19.5). In the game against the Flyers earlier this season, VCU made 31 of 38 from the charity stripe and knocked off Dayton, 99-73, in a game that was never in doubt once the Rams took control late in the first half. The SportsLine projection model says VCU has a 53.0% chance of winning and gives the Rams’ money line a B grade (+109).

No. 18 St. John’s at Seton Hall

Time: 9:00 p.m. | Location: Newark, New Jersey | TV: FS1 | Flow: Fubo (Try for free)

SportsLine Choice – Model: Saint John -4.5 | Expert: First half under 64.5 (Chip Patterson)

When these teams met on January 20, the Seton Hall Pirates took a 15-point lead early in the second half over the St. John’s Red Storm before Rick Pitino’s team fought back for a 65-60 victory. Patterson believes St. John’s will benefit from the way this game played out. “Now Pitino, who is expected to call upon the team after a scare against Georgetown, can make the adjustments to ensure that a Seton Hall offense that has not been dominant in Big East play will not have the same success,” he said. Additionally, Patterson notes that the Under went 11-5 in Pirates home games this season. Meanwhile, the SportsLine projection model says the Red Storm have a 55.0% chance to cover and gives St. John’s a C grade -4.5.

No. 19 Miami (Ohio) to Ohio

Time: 9:00 p.m. | Location: Athens, Ohio. | TV: ESPN2 | Flow: Fubo (Try for free)

SportsLine Choice – Model: Miami (OH) -5.5

The Miami (Ohio) RedHawks can finish the regular season as the nation’s only undefeated team when they take on their rival Ohio Bobcats on Friday. The RedHawks (30-0, 17-0 MAC) have already set the school record for wins in a season, but although they are undefeated, they still have some doubters. Former Auburn coach Bruce Pearl recently said of Miami: “They’re not built for the job of a Big Ten or even a Big East. In the Big East Conference this year, they would finish in the bottom half.” The SportsLine Projection Model, however, is not among those RedHawks skeptics — at least not tonight. It lists Miami, who beat the Bobcats 90-74 earlier this season, as having a 57.0 percent chance to cover and gives the RedHawks a C grade -5.5.