NBA Best Bets Today, 2/10: Picks, Predictions & Player Props - Monday
Mark Williams did not play due failing a physical, and his bet was voided. The Boston Celtics covered the teased up spread, but Nikola Vucevic had his worst rebounding game in over 4 weeks.
So, one of two NBA best bets were successful, and the damage was less than a .10 loss.
NBA Picks, Predictions & Best Bets Today, 2/10
The NBA returns with a loaded slate today, including make-up games due to atmospheric conditions.
Almost all of the matches will not be nationally televised, and some are projected blowouts such as the game featured in the NBA best bets ‘Bet of the Night’.
Pelicans vs. Thunder Prediction: Zion Williamson 30+ Points (+400 on DraftKings) *0.5U Bet of the Night
The Big Easy is experiencing its Big Hangover, but not the New Orleans Pelicans. They have been a terrible, injured team all season. The NBA representative of the Crescent City is on the road against the best team in the conference, the Oklahoma City Thunder.
This is a perfect example of teams on opposite ends of momentum. The Thunder are in first place of the Western Conference and on a five game win streak, the Pelicans are the worst team in the West and are on an eight game losing streak. That has influenced this match, and the Pelicans are -15.5-point favorites.
Despite that one player has really stood out, and he has to do well for the Pelicans to have any chase. That player is Zion Williamson. Brandon Ingram was traded to the Toronto Raptors, and DeJounte Murray ruptured his Achilles. That leaves Williamson as the best scoring option on the team, although Trey Murphy is improving his point scoring ability.
Williamson has scored 28 or more points in four of his last five matches, including a forty point effort in his most recent match. He is looking in better shape than at the beginning of the season, and displaying himself to be a valuable piece to a championship team. He does not wish to be in New Orleans, and he will have to stay healthy and play well to improve his salary for a new team.
Draftkings has a ‘No Sweat Bet’ option, that requires opting in and utilizing on the wager. His point line is set at 21.5 due to the Thunder’s defense, but Williamson is a force. The Thunder do not have someone that constantly shut him down. His scouting report is rather simple, left hand to the rim and he has attempted just one three in his last ten games. Yet no team can stop it.
Put a half a unit on this teased up point line at +400 odds, and should it not be successful, up to $25 would come back in a free wager.
Trail Blazers vs. Nuggets Prediction: Denver ML & Braun 20+ Points (+258 SGP on DraftKings) *0.5U
The Portland Trail Blazers play their division rival, the Denver Nuggets. The spread is currently heavily in favor of the Nuggets, with a -9.5 spread. The Trail Blazers have won eight of their last ten matches despite losing their most recent game. The Nuggets are doing well too, winners of their last six, the longest winning streak in the Association.
As crazy as it sounds, the Trail Blazers are going to be the best team the Nuggets have played in this stretch. Ball Arena is a tough place to play, and Denver has been playing well at home, with a 17-8 record. Instead of risking a ten point cover the money line is suggested.
Christian Braun has been building confidence and is one of the best slashers/dunkers in the Association. With Russell Westbrook and Peyton Watson both missing time with injury, Braun has played really well. He has averaged over 36 minutes in his last five of six games, and he has scored 23 points or more in two of those matches.
There will not be much defense in this match, and the total reflects it with a 230.5 total. Braun will be depended on to score, and he should deliver. Put a half a unit on him to cover the teased-up point total and for Denver to win.
NBA Player Props & Other Picks Today, 2/10
One game today is a makeup game, and both teams should be ready to go after resting, which makes it a perfect spot for our NBA best bets today.
Jazz vs. Lakers Prediction: Lauri Markkanen Over 5.5 Rebounds (+120 on Bet365)
The Los Angeles Lakers host the Utah Jazz at Crypto.com Arena. The Lakers have been playing much better but had a huge blow to their roster when Mark Williams did not pass his physical. Now the Lakers do not have a big man to be a true defender, rebounder, and occupy space in the paint.
This bodes well for our prediction on the match, Lauri Makkanen over 5.5 rebounds. This line has moved to 4.5 on some sportsbooks, and if you don’t mind the juice take it at their offer. Markkanen has recorded games with 11, 7, and 7 rebounds in his last three. He also has an average of 6.2 per rebounds per game.
There are several great rebounders on the court, Luka Doncic, LeBron James, Walker Kessler, and others. However, Markkanen is 6’ 11” and plays with great effort. The reason for the dip is Doncic is expected to make his Lakers debut, and numbers have either inflated or or been juiced.
Markkanen is averaging over 32 minutes per game and the opportunities will be there. Put a unit on him to earn his average tonight against the Lakers.
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Bet Smart, Be Lucky - Iggy
*All odds accurate at time of writing and NBA best bets to be placed at 1 unit unless specified otherwise
Player News
Buddy Hield had 15 points (5-of-14 FGs), three rebounds, one assist, one steal and four three-pointers against the Timberwolves in Game 2 on Thursday.
Hield moved into the Warriors’ starting lineup in the first round and the team became somewhat reliant on his scoring. With Stephen Curry (hamstring) out in Game 2, Hield started and played 29 minutes. The 32-year-old shooting guard led the Warriors in field goal attempts, though no one in a Golden State uniform was able to reach 20 points. The Warriors weren’t able to overcome a double-digit first half deficit. Despite the four made three-pointers, they’re going to need more from Hield as the series shifts to Golden State, especially if Curry remains out.
Jimmy Butler had 17 points (6-of-13 FGs), seven rebounds, four assists, one steal and two three-pointers against the Timberwolves in Game 2 on Thursday.
Butler couldn’t get it done without Stephen Curry (hamstring) on the road in Game 2. The Warriors fell behind by double-digits early and never recovered. Butler had 17 points on 13 shots, which wasn’t far off from the 20 points he had in Game 1. Still, the Warriors have to regroup as they head home for Games 3 and 4 as they try to figure out a way to keep this series close until Curry can return to the court.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker had 20 points (7-of-13 FGs), two rebounds, three assists, one block and four three-pointers in Game 2 against the Warriors on Thursday.
Alexander-Walker was a key scorer off the bench in Game 2. He, Naz Reid and Donte DiVencenzo combined for 10 made three-pointers off the bench. In a game where the Warriors were desperate for scoring without Stephen Curry (hamstring), those bench points were too much to overcome as the Timberwolves won by 24 points.
Julius Randle had 24 points (10-of-17 FGs), seven rebounds, 11 assists and one three-pointer in Game 2 against the Warriors on Thursday.
Randle led the Timberwolves in scoring in the Game 2 victory. The 30-year-old power forward was just three rebounds away from a triple-double. He was a steadying presence in his 33 minutes as Anthony Edwards dealt with an ankle injury towards the end of the first half. Edwards recovered from his injury to play 34 minutes, but Randle is still the next most important player in this series for the Timberwolves.
Anthony Edwards had 20 points (6-of-13 FGs), nine rebounds, five assists, three steals, one block and two three-pointers in the Timberwolves’ 117-93 victory over the Warriors in Game 2 on Thursday.
Edwards appeared to suffer a sprained left ankle towards the end of the second quarter as the Warriors’ Trayce Jackson-Davis landed on his foot. Edwards turned the same ankle in the first round against the Lakers and appeared to re-aggravate the injury. The 23-year-old shooting guard would go on to start the second half and play a team-high 34 minutes in the Game 2 victory. Edwards will only have one full day off before the series resumes in Golden State for Game 3 on Saturday.
Warriors will start Brandin Podziemski, Buddy Hield, Jimmy Butler, Draymond Green and Quinten Post in Game 2 against the Timberwolves on Thursday.
No surprise here as Curry was always a long shot to make it back for Game 2 after leaving Game 1 with hamstring injury. While there has been a report that the 37-year-old point guard is expected to miss a week, there is no firm timetable for his return. The Warriors will go big with their starting lineup for Game 2 with center Quinten Post entering the lineup in Curry’s absence.