The weekend is nearly in sight and the NBA has plenty of action to get you ready for it. Tonight’s menu features a robust 10-game slate, headlined by the Minnesota Timberwolves travelling to the City of Angels to square off with the resurgent Los Angeles Clippers. Tipoff is scheduled for 10:00 pm ET and televised on Amazon Prime Video. In the earlier slot, the Rockets square off with the Magic 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 Thursday, February 26.
Heat vs 76ers NBA best bet: Heat ML (+110)
Odds available at Caesars Sportsbook at time of publishing.
This is essentially lined as a coin flip, and Miami is a modest underdog. In a high-total environment (241), variance increases, and that makes this a game that can go either way. That makes the underdog moneyline more valuable than laying short chalk. Both teams have tremendous offensive upside, but if this becomes a game where tempo matters and late shots are the difference maker (as indicated), the Heat are the more trustworthy side. The best part is they are the outfit on offer at a plus money return.
Read our full Heat vs 76ers prediction
Hornets vs Pacers NBA best bet: Hornets -12.5 (-110)
Odds available at bet365 at time of publishing.
There is no reason to wipe your eyes here. The Hornets deserve to be a heavy road favorite. Big numbers cover when the underdog can’t control game flow, and that’s the risk for Indiana. The Pacers struggle to slow games when trailing, and once possessions speed up, defensive stability disappears. Charlotte has proven they can play at any speed.
The best part is that the Hornets don’t need to be elite, they just need to avoid turnovers, and let their scoring depth create the separation. Indiana is at risk for too many scoring drought paths to stay within range for 48 minutes against a Charlotte team that has shown stellar improvement on both ends of the floor.
Read our full Hornets vs Pacers prediction
Spurs vs Nets NBA best bet: Spurs -12.5 (-110)
Odds available at FanDuel Sportsbook at time of publishing.
This is the kind of big spread that’s justified because it’s tied to a repeatable advantage: San Antonio can win the possession battle every way. Brooklyn’s turnover rate and lack of offensive stability makes them the type of underdog worth fading. San Antonio’s current form also matters: they’ve been stacking wins, and the offense isn’t dependent on one hot shooter. When a team can score through rim pressure, second chances, and effective perimeter shooting, they don’t need a perfect night to build margin.
Brooklyn’s best cover path would be slowing the game down, but that requires secure possessions and effective defensive rebounding. The problem is San Antonio can getter the better of the Nets there too. The Spurs can create separation without needing variance. That’s the recipe needed for laying double digits.
Wizards vs Hawks NBA best bet: Under 234 (-110)
Odds available at Caesars Sportsbook at time of publishing.
The line says there may be scoring, but the environment points the other way. These teams last met on Tuesday and the Hawks cruised to a 119-98 win, which marginally speaking is nowhere near the posted total. The Hawks were a 12.5-point choice. Once again, the spread is large with Atlanta as an 11.5-point favorite. That means that Atlanta can easily be in position to control Washington again on both ends of the court like it did on Tuesday.
While match-up familiarity is likely to alter the landscape of this rematch, the total is assuming that there will be more offense when the goal for Washington is to slow Atlanta down. One extended lull can put the Over in jeopardy. If Atlanta does control the game again, they can win comfortably without turning it into a track meet. Take the Under.
Rockets vs Magic NBA best bet: Magic ML (+120)
Odds available at bet365 at time of publishing.
This matchup is being framed around Houston’s physical identity, but Orlando is one of the few teams that can meet that style head-on. The Magic don’t need to avoid contact or speed the game up to compete, they’re comfortable playing through physical possessions, protecting the paint, and turning the game into a half-court battle. That’s important because it removes one of Houston’s biggest advantages: imposing their strength and defensive pressure.
The other edge here is environment. Orlando has consistently played with more energy and defensive intensity at home, where their physical style tends to wear opponents down over four quarters. At home, with a defensive profile built for this type of matchup, the Magic are live to take this outright.
Read our full Rockets vs Magic prediction
Trail Blazers vs Bulls NBA best bet: Bulls ML (+155)
Odds available at Caesars Sportsbook at time of publishing.
Chicago has looked dreadful lately, they have dropped their last ten overall. However, Portland being a road favorite still doesn’t make sense, which is exactly why the moneyline is priced like this with Chicago offers tremendous value. The Blazers are 12-16 SU on the road but skids create deflated perceptions, and no one wants anything to do with the Bulls at this point.
As a result, the situation creates a plus-money spot on the home side who would be favored otherwise. Chicago also has an emotional intangible in this contest too, they’ve won seven of the last eight meetings. This is an uncomfortable click but that is usually where the most value lies.
Read our full Trail Blazers vs Bulls prediction
Kings vs Mavericks NBA best bet: Kings +7 (-110)
Odds available at FanDuel Sportsbook at time of publishing.
Sacramento’s stock remains in the doldrums but that’s key here. Because situationally, this is a spot where the favorite’s incentive is simply to win, not to chase margin. Dallas survived the Kings back in January in a two-point win and though the Kings have reprised their losing ways, the Mavs are not exactly a team that has shown they can separate from lower-tier teams.
In their last two wins against Indiana and Brooklyn, the Mavs won by an average of 6.5 points. Dallas is being asked to lay more than that here. The line suggests Dallas can create separation but the best move is betting the opposite. If the Kings play clean, they can not only cover, but threaten an upset here.
Read our full Kings vs Mavericks prediction
Pelicans vs Jazz NBA best bet: Pelicans -4.5 (-110)
Odds available at bet365 at time of publishing.
The key question is do the Jazz get to play offense comfortably? New Orleans is well positioned to make that uncomfortable without needing to shoot lights out. The Pelicans can win this game with paint pressure and physical possessions, exactly the kind of scoring that travels because it doesn’t rely on a three-point heater like the Jazz often require to be competitive.
New Orleans also has low public appeal as a favorite. They’ve been inconsistent enough in this role that bettors hesitate to lay points with them, which can keep spreads from inflating into truly uncomfortable territory. However, this is a scenario where the Pels can dictate. Sure, Utah can score, but when they can’t get their shot volume up or play with pace, they can get in trouble quick. If New Orleans strings together just a couple defensive stands which they are more than capable of, the Pels can win at margin easy.
Lakers vs Suns NBA best bet: Suns ML (+165)
Odds available at FanDuel Sportsbook at time of publishing.
This is all about environment and game shape, and how the Suns can take advantage. Phoenix at home is a different team, especially in matchups that project to slow down and turn into half-court execution battles. That’s the likely script here. The total sitting at 217 suggests that this is a defensive affair. When the pace tightens and possessions become deliberate, the Suns are built to operate comfortably through structured offense rather than relying on transition or volume shooting.
The Lakers are at their best when they can create pressure at the rim and generate efficient scoring. But against a physical bunch like Phoenix in a controlled game, their offense can become more possession-to-possession dependent, with longer stretches where scoring has to come through contested half-court looks. That plays right into the Suns’ hands. This is a game where one could argue that the wrong side is favored. Phoenix outright.
Timberwolves vs Clippers NBA best bet: Clippers ML (+175)
Odds available at Caesars Sportsbook at time of publishing.
Minnesota may have the more attractive record on paper, but their performance level has fluctuated game to game. That volatility makes laying points with them against a disciplined home underdog like Los Angeles quite risky. The Clippers’ path to covering is simple: slow the pace, protect possessions, and force half-court execution. That’s what they have done all season long.
If the game stays controlled, separation becomes difficult for the Wolves. That’s exactly what the Clips want and should they get their way, Los Angeles will take this game into the deep end. In a matchup likely played in a grind-heavy script, the resurgent Clippers can not only cover here, but win outright. This Clippers team with its new enhancements and mid-season renaissance have all the makings of a squad that can make a deep run in the postseason. Los Angeles makes yet another statement tonight in Inglewood. Clips for the straight-up win.
Read our full Timberwolves vs Clippers prediction
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