The NBA All-Star break is almost upon us, and tonight is the final night before the festivities ensue. Today’s slate features a slim 3-game selection following last night’s 14-headed monster, but tonight is headlined by the defending NBA champion Thunder hosting the Milwaukee Bucks in Oklahoma City. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 pm ET and televised on Amazon Prime Video. Following that contest, Prime will televise the Mavericks traveling to Los Angeles to square off with the Lakers at 10:00 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 3 games on Thursday, February 12.
Bucks vs Thunder NBA best bet: Bucks +12.5 (-110)
Odds available at Kalshi at time of publishing.
This is a situational value play with the All-Star break approaching. Oklahoma City may prioritize rest and rotation management, reducing late-game urgency even if they control the game. Large favorites in pre-break spots often protect minutes rather than extend margins, creating backdoor risk. Milwaukee, with little to lose, should compete for meaningful stretches. The concern isn’t the winner, it’s how the 2nd half unfolds, where the double-digit cushion becomes a liability for OKC backers.
Read our full Bucks vs Thunder prediction for tonight’s matchup on Amazon Prime Video
Trail Blazers vs Jazz NBA best bet: Over 238.5 (-110)
Odds available at bet365 at time of publishing.
This game has Over written all over it. Both teams love to play with pace, they can score at will, and defense becomes optional. Add in that the Jazz get to curate hosting duties, where playing on their own court enhances these possibilities. The Notes love to step it up at home and Portland has succumbed to the rigors of the road, as they are 10-16 SU outside of Rip City. The upset possibility, however, is irrelevant because the game can go in a million directions. It’s about understanding the context and situation.
The Blazers are actually a mid-range favorite, but that’s not the point. Even if Portland wins, they are going to be a product of the environment. This means they are going to have to score to win and cover too. The Jazz invite pace, they love track meets, and this is a stage where they get to stretch their legs. If that transpires, Portland will have to volley, and the Over should eclipse easily.
Head into the NBA All-Star break in style with our expert’s Bucks vs Thunder parlay picks after we cashed 3 SGPs last weekend!
Mavericks vs Lakers NBA best bet: Lakers -7 (-110)
Odds available at FanDuel Sportsbook at time of publishing.
This is an Amazon Prime Video spot where the Lakers can make a statement. LeBron and company get to host a Dallas team that has won just 5 games on the road this season and has summarily bowed out into the lottery pool. You may recall that this game was supposed to have a different connotation before the trade deadline, but now that the Mavs have unloaded Anthony Davis and liquidated most of their talent, this is nothing more than a formality.
The Lakers are the better team on both sides of the ball. They are the most efficient shooting team in the NBA, they are strong on the glass, and they are formidable on defense. Dallas’ offense, meanwhile, can disappear in away tilts and their ability to defend is tenuous at best. This is a scenario where laying the points and trusting the Lakers to hammer the Mavericks is the best move. All signs point to this being a rout by Los Angeles.
Check out our full Mavs vs Lakers prediction for today’s curtain closer on the first half of the NBA season
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