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 Sunday, February 25. 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 25
2023 Record: 206-186-2 (+9.38 units)
NBA Best Bets Today – February 25
Milwaukee Bucks at Philadelphia 76ers – 1:00 pm ET
The Sixers have been hard to trust without Joel Embiid, and the Bucks just earned a big win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. Naturally, that sets this up as a game in which the public is going to back Milwaukee. However, I like the idea of taking the points with the home team and sprinkling the moneyline here. We just saw the Sixers beat a good Cleveland Cavaliers team, 104-97. They’ll now unleash Tyrese Maxey on a Bucks team that can’t defend at the point of attack.
Milwaukee also happens to be without Khris Middleton (Ankle). That evens up the playing field quite a bit. The Sixers can focus most of their defensive attention on Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo. That’s where playing at home comes in, as the Bucks role players likely won’t shoot as well in Philadelphia. I also just like the coaching matchup for the Sixers here. Nick Nurse is one of the better coaches in the NBA, while Doc Rivers has looked a bit lost with the Bucks. Nurse will have his guys ready to go in this primetime game.
Bet: Sixers +4.5 (-110 – 1.5 units) & Sixers ML (+158 – 0.5 units)
Los Angeles Lakers at Phoenix Suns – 3:30 pm ET
The Over is 21-8 in Lakers road games this season, and it’s also 15-2 in road games with totals of 230 or higher. That second trend is even more intriguing when considering the average total points scored in those games was 248.2 points per game. This Los Angeles team has just been flying Over the number. I don’t see that changing against a Suns team that is 13-4 to the Over in home games against division opponents over the last two years. Phoenix has also been struggling offensively since the break. But this team is too talented not to pick things up. This is a team that is fully capable of playing elite offense, and the Lakers are nothing special defensively. Also, the Lakers are sixth in pace this year. That could mean that Los Angeles will suck Phoenix into a faster game.
Bet: Over 240.5 (-115 – 1.5 units)
Dallas Mavericks at Indiana Pacers – 5:00 pm ET
Another NBA best bet, another Over on the total. The Pacers are second in the league in adjusted offensive rating and second in pace of play. So, this Indiana team likes to get involved in shootouts. Well, I think the Pacers will get what they’re asking for tonight. They’re hosting a Mavericks team that is sixth in the league in adjusted offensive rating and 10th in pace. And Dallas has been speeding things up with Kyrie Irving now healthy and playing well. Overall, I just don’t see any reason not to play the Over here. Sure, the number is extremely high in this game, but we’ve seen that with Indiana this year. Realistically, there isn’t a number high enough to scare me off the Over in Pacers games. As long as the matchup is right, I’m willing to take it.
Bet: Over 251.5 (-110 – 2 units)
Charlotte Hornets at Portland Trail Blazers – 9:00 pm ET
The Hornets are 4-1 both straight-up and against the spread over their last five games. However, they’re about to play their third game in four nights and the third road game in a row. This is a difficult spot for an inexperienced team. And the Blazers have had a full day to sit on a 15-point loss to the Denver Nuggets. I’m expecting them to come out with more focus and energy. And I think the play of Anfernee Simons can be a huge factor in this one. The Hornets don’t have anybody that can slow him down. Jerami Grant and Deandre Ayton should also impact this game in a big way. All in all, it’s not often that Portland has a talent advantage over an opponent. But the team has one here and is also playing at home. The Blazers also have some length to throw on Brandon Miller.
Bet: Blazers -2.5 (-110 – 2 units)
NBA Player Props Today – February 25
Orlando Magic at Atlanta Hawks – 7:00 pm ET
I was a little surprised to see that Jalen Suggs’ point total is down at 10.5 tonight. I know that Suggs is an inconsistent scoring option, but he’s averaging 17.7 points per game in three meetings with Atlanta this year. He has just had no problem cooking this weak Hawks defense. So, I’m going right back to Suggs in this matchup. I simply don’t see any reason to believe in the Hawks’ ability to defend him. I know Trae Young is out for Atlanta, which could help the team defensively. But the Hawks don’t have many plus perimeter defenders on the roster. So, Suggs should still get some open looks from 3, and he’ll also be a threat to score in transition. I’m playing him to go Over his normal NBA player prop total, and I’m also sprinkling a little on him to have 15+.
Bet: Suggs Over 10.5 Points (-104 – 1.5 units) & Suggs Alt Points 15+ (+265 – 0.5 units)
San Antonio Spurs at Utah Jazz – 8:00 pm ET
The Jazz are giving up more 3s per game (14.5) than any team in the league. Opponents are also shooting 39.1% from deep against them, which is the second-highest mark in the league. That said, I liked the idea of finding a Spurs player to get it going from deep. And rather than overthinking it, I went with Devin Vassell. Vassell is making 2.8 triples per game since the start of February, and he is launching 6.3 per game since then. Volume is crucial in a play like this and I like that we know Vassell won’t be shy. Vassell also had a game in which he made five 3s against Utah on December 26. Of course, it’s not as easy to shoot in Salt Lake City. The altitude makes things somewhat difficult, and so do the fans. But I still like the plus-money odds on Vassell to get hot.
Bet: Vassell Over 2.5 Made 3s (+125)
Added Plays
Jazz -6.5 (-112 – 2 units) vs. Spurs
Warriors ML (-115 – 2 units) vs. Nuggets
Clippers ML (-152 – 2 units) vs. Kings
James Harden Over 19.5 Points (-108) vs. Kings
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