The All-Star break is over and the NBA is back. The Association returns with a bang and features a comprehensive 10-game slate, headlined by a clash of titans when the Boston Celtics square off with the Golden State Warriors in a 2022 NBA Finals rematch. Tip-off is scheduled for 10:00 pm ET and televised on Amazon Prime Video. In the earlier slot, the Pistons and Knicks renew hostilities in the Big Apple at 7:30 pm ET, as 2 of the Eastern Conference’s top teams go head-to-head. 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 Thursday, February 19.
Nets vs Cavaliers NBA best bet: Cavaliers -16 (-110)
Odds available at Caesars Sportsbook at time of publishing.
The story here is two teams heading in opposite directions. Brooklyn has once again regressed back into the bottom-feeder lottery team role. Cleveland? They were dangerous before the All-Star break, but now they are even more frightening with James Harden spearheading their fast-paced perimeter attack. The point spread is a reflection of the two states of these franchises and the expectations for either party moving forward. Brooklyn’s offensive consistency can put them in a whole quick and unless their defense bails them out, Cleveland can bury the Nets with an avalanche of three-pointers. The price on offer says its that kind of night for the Nets and the Cavs roll.
Read our full Nets vs Cavaliers prediction
Hawks vs 76ers NBA best bet: Under 237.5 (-110)
Odds available at bet365 at time of publishing.
The price is asking for a clean offensive game right out of the gate, and that’s the part that is a hard sell. Totals in the high 230’s can get there in a lot of ways, but they usually need at least one team to play easy offense for long stretches through either transition fuel, a steady parade to the line, or hot shooting that never really cools off. That’s the problem. The matchup leans the other direction: both teams are offensively inconsistent. A couple of lulls (which is normal basketball, not an outlier) forces the over into a near-perfect finish to cash. The under is the sharp side of the number posted in this totals market.
Read our full Hawks vs 76ers prediction
Pacers vs Wizards NBA best bet: Wizards ML (+120)
Odds available at BetMGM at time of publishing.
A 5-22 road team laying points to anyone? Yeah, not buying that. The Pacers however, are being asked to do that. Against a revamped and retooled Washington Wizards lineup, Washington as a home dog may be the best value bet on the board in the NBA reprise slate. Rewinding to before the All-Star Break, this Wizards team was different. They played with intention and played with purpose. Give Washington a chance to take this paradigm shift with them onto their own court against a beatable opponent and the price dictates the play. It’s Wizards or nothing. In fact, the Wizards should be favored here, but they are not. Move in hard on Washington at the plus-price on offer.
Read our full Pacers vs Wizards prediction
Rockets vs Hornets NBA best bet: Hornets ML (+155)
Odds available at Caesars Sportsbook at time of publishing.
Have the Hornets cooled off? That’s the question. They were red-hot or white-hot or fuchsia-hot, if you prefer, before the break. The play here is roll with them until proven otherwise, especially at this price. If Charlotte limits live-ball turnovers, have balance, and play with flow, they can add another notch under their belt in the form of the Rockets. Houston will want to win with physicality and rim pressure; Charlotte’s best path is to turn the game into a pace-choice contest: speed up when the look is there, slow down when it isn’t. The Hornets have proven they can do that. Charlotte outright at a tasty price.
Read our full Rockets vs Hornets prediction
Pistons vs Knicks NBA best bet: Knicks -4.5 (-110)
Odds available at bet365 at time of publishing
Here we go again. This is a spot where a better record doesn’t automatically mean a better bet. Detroit has been elite overall (40 wins on the season already), but the Knicks are priced as a possession-plus favorite for a reason: context and matchup pressure. New York has already worn the scars of ugly losses in this series, and the motivational angle is real when a team has been blownout twice by the same opponent. The more concrete edge is frontcourt availability. Detroit missing two key centers (Stewart and Duren suspended) changes how they survive here, and it alters rim protection and rebounding, the two areas that Detroit hang their hat on. This sets up as New York’s best spot to finally deliver a complete four-quarter effort against the Pistons.
Read our full Knicks vs Pistons prediction
Raptors vs Bulls NBA best bet: Under 233 (-110)
Odds available at Caesars Sportsbook at time of publishing
With Toronto favored in Chicago, a controlled game script is also likelier which means smart shots, set defense, and fewer chaotic possessions. Chicago’s offense is explosive, but it can also be streaky. If all systems are go, the Bulls can score at will. Nevertheless, if that was expected here, the total would be higher. However, if the Dinos drag the Bulls out into deep water and force them to play a half-court game, things can change dramatically. If the Raptors impose their will on the Bulls as expected, this game turns into a grind. If that be the case, neither opponent will likely break 120, which in turn, makes the under the more prudent option here.
Read our full Raptors vs Bulls prediction
Suns vs Spurs NBA best bet: Spurs -7.5 (-110)
Odds available at BetMGM at time of publishing
The best team against the spread catching points? It looks too easy, doesn’t it? There have been frequent conversations in previous write-ups about how teams that are exceptionally profitable are due for a correction. The perfect venue for that to begin? Right after the All-Star break, when the market has a chance to recalibrate and reassess. What the Spurs bring to the table is well-documented. San Antonio can dictate on both ends of the floor and match the physicality that Phoenix wields. The Spurs’ current identity also travels well inside a game: defend, rebound, and score without relying purely on one shot type. That’s what makes covering easier for San Antonio here, they’re accumulating advantages. The price reflects that.
Magic vs Kings NBA best bet: Magic -9 (-110)
Odds available at bet365 at time of publishing
This isn’t exclusively about trusting the Magic, but more about betting against the situation. Sacramento enters in a deep skid (14 straight losses), and losing streaks of that length usually come with two problems: confidence erosion and fourth-quarter fragility. Even if the Kings play a decent first half, one bad stretch becomes magnified because they don’t have the recent muscle memory to stop runs. Orlando is well-suited to exploit that because they can win without shooting lights out.
Their defense and half-court patience are exactly what you want as a road favorite: limit easy points, force the home team to score through tough possessions, and let the game break the opponent’s will gradually. Indeed, this requires laying points on the road, but its being done against a team currently showing the worst trait for covering: inability to respond to runs.
Read our full Magic vs Kings prediction
Celtics vs Warriors NBA best bet: Celtics -6 (-110)
Odds available at BetMGM at time of publishing
What can the Celtics do better than the Warriors? Shoot the three-pointer. This is before we consider the offensive drop-off without Steph Curry. Boston also plays physical and robust defense that can mitigate any alternatives that Golden State had in mind. Also note the total: 212.5. Low totals increase the value of defense. This plays right into Boston’s hands. If this is a lower-possession game, each empty Warriors trip is magnified, and Boston is exactly the type of team that turns opponent miscues into incremental separation. The C’s get it done in the Bay Area.
Nuggets vs Clippers NBA best bet: Clippers ML (+150)
Odds available at BetMGM at time of publishing
Denver is respected (and for good reason), but the Clippers at home are live in any game where they can keep the turnovers down and make an opponent play from the half court. The script overall gives an underdog teeth because the game becomes about shot-making and late execution rather than run-and-gun separation. That script is also not conducive for the Nuggets. And that’s exactly why the Clippers are better as an outright.
If Los Angeles hangs around late, this game becomes a coin flip, which makes holding a $1.50 ticket that much more equitable instead of paying the vig to catch points. Yes, Denver has owned the series recently, but the Clippers methodical and efficient approach toward hooping gives them a path where, if done right, they can win this outright. This has upset of the day potential written all over it.
Read our full Nuggets vs Clippers prediction
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