The 2023-24 NBA season has begun and we’re excited over here 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 Thursday, February 1. 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 1
2023 Record: 185-169-1 (+11.75 units)
NBA Best Bets Today – February 1
Indiana Pacers at New York Knicks – 7:30 pm ET
I had the Utah Jazz to cover against the Knicks last game, and I also sprinkled the moneyline. That ultimately ended with New York blowing Utah out. However, I still think Julius Randle’s absence will get to the Knicks soon. This is a team that many believed needed another scorer to begin with. So losing Randle’s 24.0 points per game is going to have to catch up to them eventually. I think it’ll happen in a meeting with a Pacers team that is second in the league in offensive rating and first in pace.
New York is just going to need a little more than what Jalen Brunson brings to the table. Other guys have been stepping up over the course of this winning streak, but Indiana might have a little too much firepower. It seems like this is a game in which the Pacers will have both Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam on the floor. That’s bad news for New York.
The Pacers are also 15-5 against the spread when facing teams that outscore opponents by 6.0 or more points per game over the last three seasons. So, I’m playing Indiana to cover and also sprinkling the moneyline for tonight’s NBA best bets.
Bet: Pacers +4 (-110 – 1.5 units) & Pacers ML (+140 – 0.5 units)
Philadelphia 76ers at Utah Jazz – 10:00 pm ET
The Jazz have struggled offensively over the last two games, but they’ll turn it around soon. This Utah team is simply too good offensively to struggle for long. And the Jazz are also coming back home after a six-game road trip. That should have them rather fired up, and they’ll now face a Sixers team with no Joel Embiid. That’s one of the best defensive bigs in the NBA, so the Jazz should be able to freely attack the rim.
Philadelphia’s offense will also play at a faster pace with no Embiid. The Sixers don’t need to slow things down and feed the post. They’ll instead look to get up and down and try to get up a bunch of 3s. And I’ll feel especially good about this play if the Sixers do end up having Tyrese Maxey. He’s listed as questionable for this game.
This just boils down to the Jazz being a team that leans Over more often than not. They’ll now dictate pace against a beaten-up Sixers team. So, I’m hoping for a high-scoring game with this NBA best bet.
Bet: Over 235 (-110 – 2 units)
NBA Player Props Today – February 1
Los Angeles Lakers at Boston Celtics – 7:30 pm ET
LeBron James is averaging only 23.6 points per game since the start of January. However, the 39-year-old has still had seven games with at least 25 points this month. And considering how big this match-up is, I think there’s a good chance he’s aggressive here. James had only 16 points the last time he faced Boston. But James wasn’t looking for his shot in that game. I expect him to play with a lot more purpose here. And the fact that Anthony Davis is banged up doesn’t hurt. James is going to need to score some points in order to keep Los Angeles in this game. And while Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are excellent wing defenders, James has the muscle to post them up or finish through them. That’s why he’s a play with tonight’s NBA player props.
Bet: James Over 24.5 Points (-105) & James Alt Points 30+ (+210 – 0.5 units)
UPDATE: LeBron James and Anthony Davis are now OUT for this game.
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