What’s the cure for a Super Bowl hangover? Basketball. And the NBA has provided the perfect cure. Tonight’s slate features a delectable 10-game spread, headlined by the defending NBA champions traveling to Los Angeles to square off with LeBron and the Lakers. Tipoff is scheduled for 10:00 PM ET and televised on Peacock. In the earlier slot, the Bucks and Magic meet in Orlando at 7:30 PM ET. You can find our NBA picks for all of today’s matchups, along with EVERY GAME this season. But for now, here are our expert NBA best bets for each of today’s 10 games on Monday, February 9th.
Pistons vs Hornets NBA best bet: Hornets +130 ML
Odds available at Caesars Sportsbook at time of publishing
Are the Hornets for real? We’ll find out. But in the last ten games of basketball, few, if any have played as good as the Hornets have. Charlotte has found a defensive posture, they can make smart shots and convert on them, and they can play with pace at either of the end spectrum. Now, they host the best team in the East in terms of wins and losses this season: the Detroit Pistons. It’s easy to lay the short number with the Pistons here because at the end of the day, Detroit sits 38-13 while the Hornets are still three games under .500. However, the records do not speak into what is actually on the court this evening. This is a litmas test for Charlotte and if they were a paper tiger, they’d be taking back a bigger number. The Hornets are in position to head into the All-Star break with some serious momentum and this is their opportunity for an exclamation point. Hornets outright.
Read our full Pistons vs Hornets prediction
Bucks vs Magic NBA best bet: Under 218.5 (-110)
Odds available at bet365 at time of publishing
The under fits the likely script: Orlando’s defense and game control tend to drag opponents into half-court possessions. This is on a generalized basis, but now they are playing at home in Orlando where this strategy becomes embellished. Orlando is a significant favorite here too (-9 at time of writing). That is significant. When the Magic are favored, it’s usually because their defense travels and their half-court profile is built to grind: long possessions, contested looks, and fewer freebies. Milwaukee can still score, but the path becomes narrower.If the Magic play from ahead, pace slows further, and the clock becomes a huge enemy of the over.
Read our full Bucks vs Magic prediction
Heat vs Jazz NBA best bet: Over 242.5 (-110)
Odds available at Sleeper at time of publishing
Normally there would be hesitation to go over at a 240’s total, but this is one of the rare pairings where the number is high for a reason and still playable. There is plenty of offense to go around. Miami’s tempo has pushed upward this season, and Utah is the kind of opponent that doesn’t punish pace; they invite it. That combination can turn into a possession avalanche: early offense, quick threes, and short defensive possessions that feed the next wave. Utah’s defensive issues aren’t just that they allow points, it’s how: they give up clean looks to multiple archetypes. Miami will take full advantage of those amenities, but when they put the pedal to the floor, they leak points too. Thus, this has all the makings of a fast and chaotic game. Those kind of matches can pummel an over. If both teams are playing up-tempo and generating a lot of shots, 243 isn’t unreachable—it’s the baseline.
Read our full Heat vs Jazz prediction
Bulls vs Nets NBA best bet: Bulls -4 (-110)
Odds available at Caesars Sportsbook at time of publishing
Brooklyn’s problem in games like this isn’t effort—it’s shot creation quality. The Nets in terms of offense are the worst in the league in key drivers and metrics. Brooklyn’s leans on their defense. The problem is Chicago doesn’t need to be spectacular; they just need to avoid extended empty stretches. They have the offensive power to at least manage that, as good as Brooklyn’s defense can be. The Bulls’ edge is that they can score in more than one gear. If Brooklyn switches, Chicago can attack mismatches. Yes, Chicago struggles on the road but playing in the Barclays doesn’t magically fix Brooklyn’s offensive limitations to keep up. Chicago is the better team and this only requires laying a small number to cover here. Take advantage.
Kings vs Pelicans NBA best bet: Pelicans -6.5 (-110)
Odds available at bet365 at time of publishing
New Orleans is a far better team than Sacramento. It could be left at that. But this is also the biggest number that the Pelicans are laying all season long which quietly speaks into how the authors of the line view this game. New Orleans is often considered an afterthought and not a team worthy of laying such a price to anyone. That’s key here. The oddsmakers have enough trust in NOLA to be a mid-range favorite. That is understandable. Top to bottom, the Pelicans have more physicality, a deeper roster, and more talent upside. This is their game to lose and the Pels will make the most of it. Lay the points.
Hawks vs Timberwolves NBA best bet: Timberwolves -6.5 (-110)
Odds available at Caesars Sportsbook at time of publishing
This is all about defensive control and steadier minutes. Minnesota can disrupt Atlanta’s offense, force tough decisions, and cash in on turnovers. The Wolves can also outmuscle the Hawks on the glass, which is key considering that the Hawks won’t get as many second chance opportunities. Atlanta’s path to a cover is if their offense ignites; Minnesota’s defense can shut that down. If the Wolves also generate extra possessions through rebounding and transition play, the margin can build beyond a couple possessions. Atlanta’s offense can be explosive, but it’s also prone to giveaways and stalled possessions. Minnesota covering here as a home favorite comes down to whether they can turn defense into scoring. The bet here is they do.
Read our full Hawks vs Timberwolves prediction
Cavaliers vs Nuggets NBA best bet: Denver -105 ML
Odds available at Sleeper at time of publishing
If Cleveland relied on three-point shooting and perimeter attacking before the trade deadline, they are now flexing their muscles with the acquisition of “The Beard” James Harden. Cleveland is sticking to their guns in how they play basketball – pace, three-point volume, and outscoring opponents. On a good night, it looks brilliant. On a poor night, the Cavaliers look like a college basketball squad. Put them as the favorite on the road in Denver and there is plenty of reason to scrutinize that position. Denver can match Cleveland in scoring but both the environment and physical style of Nuggets defending can prompt miscues. Asking the Cavaliers to win here in a hostile environment against a tactical and assertive opponent by way of variance-oriented shooting is a bit of a reach. Nuggets for the win.
76ers vs Blazers NBA best bet: Blazers +145 ML
Odds available at bet365 at time of publishing.
Here is today’s upset special. Given how up and down the Sixers can play, it’s hard to trust them laying points to a team like the Blazers in a place like Rip City. The Blazers have an ability to keep the game “possession-rich” through generating extra chances and optimizing possessions through rebounding. Ironically, this is where Philly has struggled recently and it also gives Portland the kind of edge that keeps underdogs inside a number even if shot-making is mediocre. Portland catching points at home is appealing, but this is the recipe for an outright win. We’re going for the kill on this one: Trailblazers outright.
Grizzlies vs Warriors NBA best bet: Under 223.5 (-110)
Odds available at bet365 at time of publishing.
The mastery of Steve Kerr is the shift in Golden State’s tactics with their primary offensive weapon on the shelf. The Warriors can win without relying the three-pointer or turning games into track meets, and Memphis’ current profile doesn’t force anyone to run. Golden State is incentivized to control tempo and possessions. Memphis can struggle to generate consistent offensive pressure against set defenses, leading to tougher late-clock shots and overall inefficiency. If the Warriors avoid a run-and-gun approach, the total has a clean path to stay below even without a poor shooting night from them or Memphis.
Thunder vs Lakers NBA best bet: Lakers +180 ML
Odds available at Sleeper at time of publishing.
LeBron vs. SGA; the defending champs against the benchmark franchise; an emerging dynasty against an empire of old; the storylines go on forever. But this is not about narrative, it’s about value. The Lakers’ have a path to winning this game outright by slowing the pace and winning inside. The Thunder also love to snipe turnovers and turn them into points. If Los Angeles limits turnovers, OKC loses its easiest scoring source—transition. We can be rest assured that in a game of this context, LeBron will have the troops ready to play clean basketball. Also there is the thing that the Lakers do better than everyone else, including Oklahoma City: efficiency. The Lakers lead the league in field goal percentage (nearly 50%). A clean game, efficient shooting, and playing physical in the paint is what is required to not only cover here, but threaten the champs outright. If Los Angeles executes, forget the cover, they win. That’s the play.
Read our full Thunder vs Lakers prediction
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