What’s the remedy for a Super Bowl hangover? Basketball. And the NBA has provided the perfect cure. Tonight’s slate features a delectable 10-game slate, 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 9.
Pistons vs Hornets NBA best bet: Hornets ML (+130)
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 the Hornets 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 litmus test for the Hornets 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. The Magic are significant favorites, 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 240s 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: the Jazz 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. As such, this has all the makings of a fast and chaotic game. Those kinds of contests 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 that Chicago doesn’t need to be spectacular; it just needs to avoid extended empty stretches. The Bulls 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. Take advantage.
Kings vs Pelicans NBA best bet: Pelicans -6.5 (-110)
Odds available at Bet365 Sportsbook 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 should make the most of it.
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 the 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 of possessions. Atlanta’s offense can be explosive, but it’s also prone to giveaways and stalled possessions. Minnesota covering as a home favorite comes down to whether it can turn defense into scoring. The bet here is that the T-Wolves can do it.
Read our full Hawks vs Timberwolves prediction
Cavaliers vs Nuggets NBA best bet: Denver ML (-105)
Odds available at Sleeper Sportsbook at time of publishing
If Cleveland relied on 3-point shooting and perimeter attacking before the trade deadline, it is now flexing their muscles with the acquisition of James Harden. Cleveland is sticking to their guns in how it play basketball — pace, 3-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 it 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 the Nuggets’ defense 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 Trail Blazers NBA best bet: Trail Blazers ML (+145)
Odds available at Bet365 Sportsbook 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 Trail 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: Trail Blazers outright.
Read our full 76ers vs Trail Blazers prediction
Grizzlies vs Warriors NBA best bet: Under 223.5 (-110)
Odds available at Bet365 Sportsbook at time of publishing
The mastery of head coach 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 3-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 either team.
Thunder vs Lakers NBA best bet: Lakers ML (+180)
Odds available at Sleeper Sportsbook 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 but also threaten the champs outright. If Los Angeles executes, forget the cover — it can win. That’s the play.
Read our full Thunder vs Lakers prediction
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