The 2024-25 NBA season is in full swing. I’ll be giving out NBA best bets and player props here as often as possible, and I’ll also occasionally write up features on big news that shakes up the league. So, make sure you check out my work throughout the season. With that out of the way, let’s get into some NBA best bets and NBA player props for Saturday, February 1st. Also, make sure you check out the picks page (linked right below) before games tip off. I occasionally add picks throughout the day.
MORE: Check out our Pro Picks page for everything our experts have on February 1st
NBA Best Bets Today – February 1st
Atlanta Hawks at Indiana Pacers – 5:00 pm ET
The Hawks are coming off a 137-115 loss to the Cavaliers, and we’ll probably see some more high-scoring games in Atlanta’s future. Losing Jalen Johnson for the season is a blow offensively, but it’s also going to hurt the team defensively. And the Hawks now face a Pacers team that has scored 134.5 points per game over its last two games. Indiana has also gone Over the total in three consecutive games.
These teams also happened to combine to score 272 points the last time they met, which was in April of 2024. Last season, the two teams actually played three games that featured at least 266 points scored. Of course, this is a new season. However, these are still two teams that are in the Top 6 in the NBA in pace of play. Also, both groups are outside the Top 10 in adjusted defensive rating.
This is simply a game in which Trae Young and Tyrese Haliburton will be looking to make plays. Both groups are going to want to play an up-and-down game, and stops likely won’t be easy to come by. The only way I see this going Under is if both teams shoot poorly — or if Haliburton is distracted by tonight’s WWE Royal Rumble.
Bet: Over 239.5 (-115)
NBA Player Props Today – February 1st
Orlando Magic at Utah Jazz – 5:00 pm ET
While Walker Kessler is mostly known for his ability to protect the rim, our VSiN NBA prop bet analyzer shows that he has gone Over tonight’s 8.5-point total in 24 of the 36 games he has played this season. Also, before scoring just two points in a tough matchup with Rudy Gobert last game, Kessler had scored at least 11 points in five consecutive games. With that in mind, I’m going to Kessler to score nine or more in tonight’s game against the Magic. Kessler actually had 10 points in 29 minutes against Orlando on January 5th. I know the Magic are a good defensive team, but they are somewhat undersized at the center position. So, Kessler can do some damage with his length around the basket.
Bet: Kessler Over 8.5 Points (-110)
Washington Wizards at Minnesota Timberwolves – 8:00 pm ET
I considered going with Anthony Edwards to go Over 3.5 triples tonight, which is something I have had a lot of success backing all season. However, with the Timberwolves hosting the Wizards, I feel a little better about Edwards impacting the game as a playmaker. Washington is 29th in the NBA in adjusted defensive rating (117.5), and the team plays at the fourth-fastest pace (102.5) in the league. So, the Wizards like to get involved in shootouts, and they’re unorganized defensively. That said, if Edwards just takes what the defense gives him and makes solid reads, he should set his teammates up for some easy buckets. Edwards had seven assists against Washington on January 13th, and he also happens to be coming off an 11-assist game against Utah. When he faces bad, disjointed defenses, he likes to show off his passing ability.
Bet: Edwards Over 5.5 Assists (-120)
Los Angeles Lakers at New York Knicks – 8:30 pm ET
As one of the shorter stars in basketball, nobody is mistaking Jalen Brunson for an elite rebounder. However, the 28-year-old is averaging 2.9 rebounds per game this season, and he has had at least three boards in 28 of his 47 games this year. He definitely needs a little luck to put up decent rebound totals at his height, but he does try to chip in and puts himself in the right positions. And tonight, Brunson should be somewhat juiced up in a home game against the Lakers. That extra adrenaline should help him a little bit as he fights to secure an extra board or two. Also, while Los Angeles does generally do a good job of keeping opposing guards off the glass, Anthony Davis is out tonight. So, I think you can throw out most Lakers stats here.
Bet: Brunson Over 2.5 Rebounds (-120)
Additional Plays
This is where I’ll include any late added plays, teasers/parlays or in-season futures. Come back before tip if you don’t want to miss anything. It’s always possible I’ll add something to my card.
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2024-25 NBA Record: 219-208-2 (+11.82 units)
