NBA Best Bets Today: Odds, predictions and picks for Thursday, February 16th

By Jonathan Von Tobel  (Senior NBA Analyst) 

February 16, 2023 09:07 AM
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Devin Booker & the Suns look to go into the All-Star break on a 12-3 SU/11-4 ATS run

Welcome to the daily NBA best bets page, your source for analysis on the betting lines for the day in professional hoops. For updates throughout the day follow me on Twitter, and make sure to subscribe to the Hardwood Handicappers podcast!

All game lines via the VSiN NBA odds page

Stay up to date on injury news with our injury report page as well.

*Indicates team is on the second leg of a back-to-back

**Lines are opening numbers

Best Bets

Record: 47-52 | Units: -7.96 | ROI: -8.15%

Milwaukee Bucks (-7.5, 230) at *Chicago Bulls

This is a terrible situation for Chicago. The Bulls are playing on no rest, and are coming off an embarrassing loss to the Pacers last night in which they allowed 75 points in the second half. Chicago is now 0-5 SU and ATS in its last five games, and given this negative scheduling spot before the All-Star break it's hard to invest in the Bulls here. Milwaukee barely got by a short-handed Boston team on Monday, but they are more than capable of containing Chicago. 

The Bulls have averaged 98.4 points per 100 possessions during this losing streak, and DeMar DeRozan remains out with his hip injury. Games prior to the All-Star break can have some odd flow to them, an in-game number on Milwaukee would be the way to go here for side bettors. For me, this will be a play Under the total, given the Bulls’ offensive struggles and the Bucks’ ability to exacerbate those issues.

Bet: UNDER 230.5

 

 

Los Angeles Clippers at Phoenix Suns (PK, 224)

Phoenix extended its run to 11-3 SU/10-4 ATS when it won and covered against Sacramento on Monday night. The market has slept on how much better the Suns are now that they are healthy, but we’re finally starting to see bettors come around. This line is now sitting at -1 consensus, and Phoenix should go off as a favorite at home against Los Angeles. However, the Clippers should not be slept on either. 

Los Angeles is 9-4 SU and ATS in its last 13 games, and those lineups with Paul George and Kawhi Leonard continue to impress with a +11.1 net rating. This team is also better than it was prior. Mason Plumlee coming off the bench gives them multiple centers to throw at Deandre Ayton, who has given this smaller Clippers team trouble in the past. Phoenix is also severely lacking the size and athleticism to match up with George and Leonard on the defensive end. The market might finally be in on the Suns, but this might be the wrong matchup to do so on.

Bet: Clippers ML (+100)

Best Bet Recap

Bucks/Bulls UNDER (230.5)

Clippers ML (+100)

NBA Games & Odds

Washington Wizards at Minnesota Timberwolves (-3, 235.5)

Kyle Anderson and Rudy Gobert carry their usual questionable designations into this game with Washington, so bettors will have to confirm their status before getting involved. If neither plays this game could close PK and the market is starting to move in that direction. Washington is 9-4 SU and ATS in its last 13 games, and their offense has put up 122.0 points per 100 possessions. If neither Anderson or Gobert can play tonight the Timberwolves’ defense will suffer greatly and this total is sure to rise.

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PRO PICKS

Thom Cunningham: Golden Knights at Stars  - 1P - OVER (1.5). View more picks.

PRO TIPS

The Handle: With the recent news on Jimmy Garoppolo's injury clause, consider fading the Raiders in NFL futures markets now in case Las Vegas does in fact move on from the QB. View more tips.

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