Top NBA Odds, Picks & Predictions: Thursday (2/8)
With Super Bowl LVIII coming up on Sunday, the NBA schedule has been a bit adjusted this week. We have just two games scheduled on Sunday afternoon prior to the big game while Thursday has a much heavier slate. There are nine games on the docket tonight, including the usual two nationally-televised games on TNT.
Letâs get started building that bankroll to bet on Sundayâs game.
Get instant alerts when a line reaches your target via the BettingPros App >>
Thursdayâs Best NBA Bets
Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook | All wagers are for 1 unit
Golden State Warriors (+215) at Indiana Pacers (-255) | O/U 250.5 (-110/-110)
The Warriors (23-25) wrap up a five-game road trip against the Pacers (29-23) at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis in the early window on Thursday night.
Golden State is coming off an impressive 127-104 road victory in Philadelphia, and the Warriors have won three of the first four games on the road trip, while covering three of those outings, too. The Warriors are 4-1 against the spread (ATS) in the past five outings, while going a solid 7-3-1 ATS in the past 11 games overall, too. The Under is on a 4-1 run for the Dubs.
The Pacers scored a 132-129 win over the Houston Rockets on Tuesday in Indy, failing to cover an eight-point spread. After losing three in a row, Indiana has picked up the pace with two straight wins. Indiana continues to roll up huge offensive totals, going for 115 or more points in seven of the past eight games, while allowing 122 or more points in five of those outings.
A total of 250.5 is rather high, and weâve seen the Warriors allow 107 or fewer points in four of the past five games. It will have its hands full with Indianaâs fast-paced offense, but side with Golden Stateâs offense and take the Under.
Bets: Under 250.5 (-110)
Cleveland Cavaliers (-235) at Brooklyn Nets (+194) | O/U 223 (-110/-110)
The Cavaliers (33-16) picked up a win and a non-cover in Washington on Friday night against the Wizards, and now they take aim on the skidding Nets (20-30).
Cleveland has won the first two meetings, including a victory on Jan. 11 in Paris in a âhomeâ game. In fact, the Cavs have won four straight in the series, while covering five of the past nine meetings. The Over has hit in four of the past five meetings, too.
The Cavs are 2-3 SU and 1-4 ATS in the past five tries when playing in the second end of a back-to-back. Cleveland catches Brooklyn with three losses in the past four outings, while going 1-3 ATS.
The Nets are not a good play straight up, but theyâre worth playing catching the points based upon Clevelandâs poor track record when playing on no rest.
Bet: Nets +5.5 (-108)
Detroit Pistons (+172) at Portland Trail Blazers (-205) | O/U 229.5 (-110/-110)
The Pistons (7-43) and the Trail Blazers (15-35) lock horns in the Rose City at Moda Center in the final game of the evening at 10 p.m. ET.
While both of these teams are well under .500 on the season, Detroit and Portland are each 3-4 SU in the past seven outings, and both have actually been pretty sharp against the number lately.
Portland is 8-3 ATS in the past 11 games against Eastern Conference teams, while covering in four in a row. The Under has cashed in 10 of the past 15 games for the Blazers, too, as the defense has been a little bit better lately.
Detroit has covered in 10 of the past 12 games, while the total has gone high in three of the previous four contests. Portland covered the first meeting in Detroit, winning 110-101 as 3.5-point underdogs with the Under (216.5) connecting.
While the Trail Blazers have been hot lately, at least against the number, Portland is just 1-3 ATS in four games this season as a favorite. Play the Pistons catching the points in what could actually be a surprisingly entertaining game.
Bet: Pistons +5.5 (-112)
Make sure to check out our other best bets for Thursday:
- Top 5 NFL Player Prop Bets: DBro's Picks (49ers vs. Chiefs)
- Premier League Matchday 24 Odds, Picks & Predictions
- College Basketball Odds, Picks & Predictions
- Top NBA Odds, Picks & Predictions
- NHL Prop Betting Cheat Sheet
Cameron Lynch is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Cameron, check out his archive and follow him @captron26.