Munaf Manji and Dave Essler talk betting for Thursday. Cash That Ticket returned Thursday, March 5, 2026, with Munaf Manji and Dave Esler recapping a Best Bet win on Arkansas over Texas and pivoting to Thursday night picks across the NBA, plus two MLB win totals. Manji said his prior play, 76ers Jazz over 237.5, missed badly, while Esler noted Arkansas delivered without stress. In the NBA, they opened Pistons at Spurs, with San Antonio favored by 3.5 and a 228.5 total, and both teams largely healthy. With the clubs meeting recently in Detroit, Esler framed the matchup as a Pistons revenge spot and questioned whether the Spurs were becoming overvalued, leaning Detroit plus the points and the under, expecting a tighter, playoff type game. Manji agreed on the under and said Detroit’s season long defensive profile supported another lower scoring result, while suggesting a better Pistons number could appear closer to tip. Esler also highlighted Jalen Duren points and rebounds over 29.5, and Manji backed it with Duren’s production in recent Spurs matchups. Next was Lakers at Nuggets, with Denver favored by 5.5 and a 240.5 total. Manji cited a clean Lakers report aside from Maxi Kleber questionable and noted Denver’s report included Cam Johnson questionable, Spencer Jones and Peyton Watson out, and Aaron Gordon not expected back yet. Esler said the rising total was the most notable market feature and leaned Lakers plus the points, including a first half look, along with the over. Manji also leaned Lakers and the over, pointing to Denver’s recent defensive issues and shaky home cover results. The show then promoted a pregame.com special, described as $10 for $50 in bulk dollars, limited to one per person. On MLB win totals, Esler and Manji both leaned under 83.5 on the Rangers, citing injury concerns and rotation uncertainty, and both leaned under 84.5 on the Brewers, citing rotation questions and a step back expectation. For Best Bets, Esler played Arkansas State minus 7 or 7.5 over Georgia Southern in the Sun Belt Tournament, while Manji made Pistons Spurs under 228.5 his Best Bet, and both closed with caution on conference tournament betting volatility.

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