The 2023-24 NBA season is in full swing and we’re tackling it hard at VSiN. As always, Jonathan Von Tobel will be providing you with his exceptional coverage of the greatest league in the world. Just click here for all of his content. However, all of my picks will be featured in this daily column, which will combine my NBA best bets and NBA player props. So, keep reading to find out how I’m playing the NBA slate on Friday, February 23. Also, check out our NBA Odds page for the latest line movement.
MORE: Check out our Pro Picks page for everything our experts have on February 23
2023 Record: 202-184-2 (+5.86 units)
NBA Best Bets Today – February 23
Los Angeles Clippers at Memphis Grizzlies – 8:00 pm ET
The Grizzlies entered the All-Star break on a two-game winning streak, and they had also covered in their last three games. This Memphis team has been sneaky competitive lately, even with Ja Morant, Marcus Smart and Desmond Bane all sidelined. Now, the Grizzlies host a Clippers team that is coming off a tough road loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder last night. Los Angeles is likely going to be a little fatigued. And it wouldn’t be shocking if the Clippers didn’t get up for this one. They could also opt to rest some players on the second night of a back-to-back.
Los Angeles is also just 9-21 against the spread when coming off a road loss of 10 or more points under head coach Ty Lue. Meanwhile, Memphis is 56-38 ATS when playing at home against teams with winning records under Taylor Jenkins. Also, in the last 14 games, the Grizzlies are only giving up 12.1 triples per game (on 35.6% shooting). That’s hard to ignore against a Clippers team that is second in the league in 3-point percentage. If Memphis can just get out and guard the 3-point line here, the team should avoid a double-digit loss.
I don’t think the Grizzlies will actually win this basketball game, but I’m taking the points with one of tonight’s NBA best bets. And if Los Angeles does sit some guys, this line is going to drop.
Bet: Grizzlies +9.5 (-112 – 1.5 units)
Milwaukee Bucks at Minnesota Timberwolves – 10:00 pm ET
The Bucks have had some disappointing performances under Doc Rivers already. However, the All-Star break should serve as a nice reset for this team. And Milwaukee is a group that should only get better as the season progresses. Tonight, the Bucks will face a great test in going on the road to face a very good Timberwolves squad. And while I’m high on Minnesota, I do think this is a good matchup for Milwaukee.
It’s just hard to overlook the fact that the Timberwolves are just 17th in adjusted offensive rating this year (according to Dunks & Threes). This is not the type of team that can take advantage of a Bucks defense that has been dismal this year. That’s especially true at the point guard position, where Mike Conley won’t put constant pressure on Damian Lillard. Meanwhile, the Timberwolves might be first in adjusted defensive rating, but there’s no such thing as stopping Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo when they’re rolling. And I expect that combo to do quite a bit of damage here.
The Timberwolves also won by 24 when they went into Milwaukee on February 8. So, the Bucks will definitely be up for this game. They’ll be looking to get the Timberwolves back. And this is a team that I trust to play high-level basketball when motivated. That said, I’m riding with Milwaukee and the points as an NBA best bet. I’m also putting a little on the moneyline.
Bet: Bucks +4.5 (-110 – 2 units) & Bucks ML (+145)
NBA Player Props Today – February 23
Toronto Raptors at Atlanta Hawks – 7:30 pm ET
Immanuel Quickley just had 24 points and three assists in a win over the Brooklyn Nets. The shifty guard now gets a crack at a Hawks defense that is miserable on the perimeter. Atlanta is last in the league in adjusted defensive rating this year. And the point-of-attack defense is the team’s true weakness. That means that Quickley should have plenty of opportunities to score the basketball. He’ll also get himself in the paint rather often, and that should allow him to rack up assists. On top of that, the Hawks play at the third-fastest pace in the league. And they’re 27th in the league in transition defense, according to Cleaning The Glass. That means that Quickley can do quite a bit of damage by just getting out and running. Overall, this just feels like a game in which he should put up numbers.
Bet: Quickley Over 24.5 Points + Assists (-113 – 1.5 units)
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