Top NBA Odds, Picks & Predictions: Thursday (2/22)
The National Basketball Association is back from the All-Star break, and we have a total of 12 games on the schedule. That’s unusual for a Thursday, as there is usually just a smattering of games on the slate. We’ll pick three of the best options to help you get into the black. Let’s get started!
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Thursday’s Best NBA Bets
Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook | All wagers are for 1 unit
Orlando Magic (+235) at Cleveland Cavaliers (-290) | O/U 215 (-110/-110)
The Magic (30-25) travel to meet the Cavaliers (36-17) at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland. The Cavs have picked up wins in six of the past seven meetings, and eight of the past 10 in the series, and Cleveland is a healthy 5-1-1 against the spread (ATS) in the past seven battles.
Cleveland belted Orlando 126-99 as a 2.5-point favorite in Orlando in their most recent meeting, as the Over (215) connected. For the Magic, Markelle Fultz has been ruled out, although Gary Harris and Jalen Suggs are off the injury report, which is good news. For the Cavs, the good news is that Evan Mobley will no longer have a minutes restriction, but leading scorer Donovan Mitchell carries a questionable tag due to an illness.
So the pick is the Cavs laying the points. However, hold off on finalizing your bet. Wait to see the official injury report, and if Mitchell is sidelined, switch to the Magic catching points.
Bet: Cavaliers -7 (-110)
Detroit Pistons (+520) at Indiana Pacers (-720) | O/U 246.5 (-110/-110)
The Pistons (8-46) travel to meet the Pacers (31-26) in Indianapolis, which did a tremendous job with the All-Star festivities over the weekend.
Detroit had been playing pretty competitive basketball, going 6-1 ATS in seven games from Jan. 28-Feb. 10, and 12-2 ATS in the prior 14 games before going 0-2 SU/ATS in the past two contests. The Pistons were underdogs by 11.5 or more points in those two games.
The Pacers have alternated wins and losses in each of the past five games, while going just 1-4 ATS during the span. As a double-digit favorite, Indiana is just 2-2 ATS this season. However, the Pacers are 2-0 SU/ATS in two meetings with the Pistons so far this season, averaging 133.5 PPG, while allowing just 118.0 PPG. Look for another Pacers win and cover.
Bet: Pacers -11.5 (-110)
Houston Rockets (+220) at New Orleans Pelicans (-270) | O/U 228.5 (-110/-110)
The Rockets (24-30) will face the Pelicans (33-22) in a Gulf Coast battle at the Smoothie King Center in NOLA. These teams just met in Houston, with the Pelicans coming away with a 110-99 win as a 1-point underdog as the Under (231) hit. Houston won the first two meetings while covering their most recent trip to New Orleans on Dec. 23. The Rockets won outright as a 7.5-point underdog in that game, 106-104.
However, the trends against the spread are all over the board. The one constant in this series in recent years has been low scores, with the Under going 7-0 in the past seven meetings, and 7-8-1-1 in the past 10 games in the series.
Houston is also on a 3-1 run in the past four games, while going 4-2 in the past six games on the road. New Orleans has hit the Under in two of the past three games, while the Pels are 6-3 in the past nine.
Bet: Under 228.5 (-110)
Make sure to check out our other best bets for Thursday:
- NHL Prop Betting Cheat Sheet
- Top NHL Odds, Picks & Predictions
- Top NBA Odds, Picks & Predictions
- College Basketball Odds, Picks & Predictions
- Premier League Matchday 26 Odds, Picks & Prediction
Cameron Lynch is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Cameron, check out his archive and follow him @captron26.