The National Basketball Association (NBA) is back from the All-Star break with a full slate of games on Thursday night. Technically, play resumed Wednesday, but that was a standalone game between the Charlotte Hornets and Los Angeles Lakers. We also have a nationally televised doubleheader with the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers squaring off at 7:00 p.m. ET and the Phoenix Suns and Antonio Spurs playing at 9:30 p.m. ET on TNT/truTV/Max.
Let’s build a bankroll for the upcoming betting events like March Madness and the stretch run of pro ball with our best NBA picks for Thursday, February 20th.
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Thursday’s Best NBA Picks
NBA odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook | All picks are for 1 unit
Orlando Magic (-124) at Atlanta Hawks (+104) | O/U 223 (-110/-110)
The Magic (27-29) and Hawks (26-29) renew acquaintances at State Farm Arena on Thursday in the first game after the All-Star break. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET.
The last time we saw Orlando, it posted a 102-86 victory over the Charlotte Hornets last Thursday as a 13-point favorite. The under (203) cashed in that game, too. The Magic have alternated wins and losses in the past six outings while going just 1-3 against the spread (ATS) in the past four outings, 2-7 ATS in the past nine games and 3-12 ATS across the previous 15 contests. That includes a 112-106 loss in O-Town on February 10th, as the Magic lost outright as a 6.5-point favorite as the under (220.5) cashed.
The Magic have ended up going low on the total in three of the past four games and six of the previous eight contests. That includes the most recent game with Atlanta, too.
In that 112-106 win by Atlanta, the Hawks shot 49% (38-of-77) from the field and 38% (12-of-32) from behind the three-point line, while guard Trae Young led the way with 19 points. Newcomer guard Caris LeVert jumped in with 18 points off the bench. He also added eight rebounds with three three-pointers.
Orlando suffered the loss to Atlanta despite explosive games from forwards Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero. Wagner scored 37 points on 15-of-29 shooting, with seven rebounds, three assists and two steals, while Banchero was good for 31 points, six boards and four dimes.
Atlanta heads into this game with three wins in the past four outings, with the lone loss a 149-148 setback in overtime last Thursday, although it held on for the cover as an eight-point underdog. The Hawks have covered seven in a row and nine of the past 10. The under is 3-1 in the past four games.
Based on Atlanta’s play lately, it’s worth playing the Hawks straight up (SU) as short underdogs at home. Yes, Young is considered day-to-day due to his Achilles issue, but he has had a full week to rest. Forward Larry Nance and guard Vit Krejci are question marks, but, again, they’ve had the full week to rest. For Orlando, Jalen Suggs is officially out, so there’s that. He is third on the Magic with 16.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.5 blocks per game.
Let’s also back the under in this battle down south.
Picks: Atlanta Hawks Moneyline (+104) & Under 223 Points (-110)
Phoenix Suns (-126) at San Antonio Spurs (+108) | O/U 235.5 (-110/-110)
The Suns (26-28) and the Spurs (23-29) resume play at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio on Thursday night on TNT/truTV/Max. Tip-off is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. ET.
Phoenix was tripped up in each of the final three games before the break while going just 1-6 SU in the previous seven outings. The Suns are 2-5 ATS in those seven outings. The over is on a 7-2 run in the past nine games since January 29th.
The Spurs were dumped 116-103 in Boston as an 8-point underdog as the under (229.5) cashed while going just 2-5 SU in the past seven outings and covering only once in the past six contests. San Antonio is 5-13 ATS in the past 18 games while hitting the over at a 4-1 clip in the past five outings and going 12-3 across the previous 15 games.
This is the second meeting of the season. The teams met at Footprint Center in the Valley of the Sun on December 3rd, with the Suns coming away with a 104-93 win as a 7-point favorite as the under (228.5) connected. The Spurs have ended up winning three of the past five in the series, however, while also going 3-2 ATS.
On the road, the Suns have dropped four in a row, although they have a 2-2 ATS split in that span. The total has ended up going high in five consecutive games on the road for Phoenix.
At home, the Spurs are 1-5 SU and 2-4 ATS in the past six games. The Over is 4-1 in the past five outings at Frost Bank Center.
Let’s play the Suns laying a few points and go with the over on the total.
Picks: Suns -2 (-110) & Over 235.5 Points (-110)
Daniel E. Dobish is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Daniel, check out his archive and follow him @danieledobish.
