NBA Best Bets Today, 2/7: Picks, Predictions & Player Props - Friday
The plus odds alternate line on the Portland Trail Blazers came through, as they upset the Sacramento Kings. However the Houston Rockets had an epic collapse in the last few minutes of the fourth quarter, as the Timberwolves stormed with a surge of points. Anthony Edwards earned over 40 points, becoming the Timberwolves all-time leader in 40+ point games, adding to his legacy.
Kawhi Leonard was unable to earn six rebounds for the Los Angeles Clippers, as they allowed a fourth quarter comeback by the Indiana Pacers. The Law of Averages got both Leonard and Fantasy Alarm’s NBA best bets.
NBA Picks, Predictions & Best Bets Today, 2/7
There are seven games across the Association, and several of the games are projected blowouts.
All but one game has a -6.0 spread or higher, and several have double digit projections. The NBA best bets ‘Bet of the Night’ is not one of those games.
76ers vs. Pistons Prediction: Detroit Money Line (+150 on Bet365) *Bet of the Night
The Detroit Pistons are underdogs on their own court, Little Caesar Arena, against a team with five fewer wins. The Philadelphia 76ers are traveling to Detroit and are 4.5 games behind the Pistons. Despite the fact, they are favored in this match.
Joel Embiid is expected to play in the game, but does it really tilt it that much in favor of Philadelphia? Both teams are playing after a loss, and are trying to find a win streak before the All-Star break. However, Detroit is the better team this year. They have a true leader in Cade Cunningham (day-to-day), capable of scoring and finding open teammates.
Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewert are more than capable of playing with Joel Embiid, and the Pistons have a deeper bench. Although underdogs the Pistons have a chance to win against an Eastern Conference opponent and move one game closer to sixth place.
Put a unit on an ‘upset’ today.
Heat vs. Nets Prediction: Tyler Herro Over 22.5 Points (-120 on Bet365)
Tyler Herro was selected to his first All-Star match, and with Jimmy Butler traded to the Golden State Warriors, is the true leader of the Miami Heat. Today the Heat put their new lineup on the court at Barclays Center to play the Brooklyn Nets.
The Nets displayed how terrible they are with a double digit loss to the Washington Wizards. The entire organization from owner, general manager, down the team play-by-play Frank Isola seem on board with the tank of the season.
Brooklyn is 17-34 this season, and allowing over 112 points per game. Herro has been freed up to score at will, and has the full support of Pat Riley. He is playing at an elite level and playing with confidence which should translate to several field goals.
Herro has scored 23 or more points in his last two matches, four of his last six matches, and is averaging 23.9 points per game. Why the sportsbooks have set Herro’s point line below his average against a poor defensive team, we have not a clue. Put a unit on him to score his average if not more.
NBA Player Props & Other Picks Today, 2/7
The NBA trade deadline brought one of the most rambunctious, high profile trading periods in the Associations history.
Several teams made moves, and one organization made clear signs they are looking at the future.
Spurs vs. Hornets Prediction: Victor Wembanyama Over 3.5 Blocks (+115 on Bet365)
The Charlotte Hornets have given up on their season, traded several great players, and amassed numerous draft picks for the future. Will it work out for them? Only time knows, but what is for certain is that they host the San Antonio Spurs at the Spectrum Center tonight.
Victor Wembanaya is also making his first All-Star appearance and was drafted by Team Charles Barkley last night. Wembanyama is a true sensation who is gaining confidence and voicing it against his opponents.
Although he doesn’t have three combined blocks in the Spurs last three games, he is playing a decimated Hornets roster, compiled of people that were not with the team last week, or players that have been injured for over a week. This is an advantage for Wembanyama.
Four players are listed out, and three players are listed as day-to-day for the Hornets. Wembanyama will be playing against backups and players that have not played with each other. He is averaging 3.9 blocks per game this season and should record over his average against a team essentially playing its second unit.
Put a unit on the first time All-Star to do what he does better than anyone in the Association, block shots.
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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.