We’re more than halfway into the 2024-25 NBA season. I’ll continue 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 Thursday, February 20th. 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 20th
NBA Best Bets Today – February 20th
Boston Celtics at Philadelphia 76ers – 7:00 pm ET
It’s hard to back this Sixers team. All year long, Philadelphia has struggled to get up for games, which is wild considering the team is currently outside the Eastern Conference playoff picture. However, while many think the Sixers could look to tank the rest of the way, there’s simply no chance the team will willingly waste any of Joel Embiid’s time. Also, for as bad as things look right now, the Sixers are just 1.5 games back from the 10th seed. There’s a very real chance they’ll end up in the Play-In Tournament, and they’d have a great shot at grabbing the eighth seed from there. That said, this should be a locked-in group moving forward. And I like them to give the Celtics a game tonight.
It’s just hard to ignore the fact that Philadelphia is 2-0 against the spread versus Boston this year. On Christmas Day, the Sixers went into TD Garden and earned a 118-114 win as 9.5-point underdogs. That was a game in which both teams were relatively healthy. Then, on February 2nd, Philadelphia nearly beat Boston on the back of Tyrese Maxey. There was no Embiid or Paul George in that one.
This Sixers team is simply dangerous for a group like the Celtics. Boston has had some trouble guarding the center position all season, so defending one of the best bigs on the planet is a challenge. And while Derrick White and Jrue Holiday play physical, chest-to-chest defense, it’s hard for the two of them to keep Maxey in front of them. He’s one of the quickest guards in the league. Philadelphia also happens to have some nice length on the wing, giving the team a shot at disrupting Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.
Bet: 76ers +7.5 (+100 – 1.5 units) & 76ers ML (+260 – 0.5 units)
Memphis Grizzlies at Indiana Pacers – 7:00 pm ET
I’m as high as anyone on the Pacers this year. For weeks, I have been referencing how strong Indiana has looked since a pivotal turning point in December, and I have even suggested a play on the Pacers to win the Eastern Conference. While I don’t think they’re quite there yet, I’m not sure much separates Indiana from the other top-tier teams in the conference. However, this is a problematic matchup for the Pacers.
One of the things that has gotten Indiana back on track is a nice balance in how the team is playing both offensively and defensively. But this season, Memphis is fifth in the league in adjusted offensive rating (117.2) and seventh in adjusted defensive rating (111.5). This Grizzlies team is better than the Pacers on both ends of the floor, and the All-Star break allowed the team to get healthy. Memphis has had guys in and out of the lineup all year, but that should be less of an issue moving forward.
This is also the type of matchup in which Tyrese Haliburton tends to struggle. This game has an insanely high total, so a track meet is expected. If that’s the case, Haliburton should put up numbers. But when things slow down, Haliburton doesn’t like facing physical teams that get up in his grill. That’s why we have seen him turn in some duds against elite opponents in the past. It does help him that this game is in Indiana, where he is a much better version of himself. But late in the game, I feel better about Ja Morant and Co. generating easy offense.
Bet: Grizzlies -2 (-110)
Cleveland Cavaliers at Brooklyn Nets – 7:30 pm ET
This feels like a rough spot for the Cavaliers. While most players get a nice vacation during the All-Star break, Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley were all in California representing the franchise. So, three of Cleveland’s most important players had to deal with the distraction of All-Star Weekend, and then that trio had to fly across the country for this meeting with Brooklyn. The Cavaliers are also going to be without Dean Wade in this game, and Ty Jerome is listed as questionable. That could mean two key rotation players out.
This also happens to be a Nets team that was playing some great basketball before the break. Brooklyn was 6-1 both straight-up and ATS before getting a week off. In that span, the Nets had a defensive rating of 103.4. That’s better than the Thunder’s season-long defensive rating of 104.5, and people have been calling Oklahoma City historically good on that end of the floor.
Considering all of that, I just wouldn’t be surprised if the Nets give the Cavaliers a game. And not only do I have Brooklyn at +13.5, but I’m taking a little +7.5 at +225 odds.
Bet: Nets +13.5 (-110 – 2 units) & Nets Alt +7.5 (+225 – 0.5 units)
NBA Player Props Today – February 20th
Chicago Bulls at New York Knicks – 8:30 pm ET
Since the start of February, Matas Buzelis is averaging 14.8 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game. The rookie wing has played at least 26 minutes in six of his last seven games, and the only game in which he didn’t was a blowout loss to the Pistons. Well, Buzelis is in for another solid workload tonight, as Patrick Williams remains out for Chicago. That should mean some solid numbers for Buzelis, who is a remarkable athlete and plays with a real motor. At 244, this game has one of the highest totals on the board, so points should come in bunches for both teams. And a lot of them will likely come in transition, which is where Buzelis thrives. That said, I just wouldn’t be shocked if Buzelis has a nice game as a scorer tonight. That would then mean very little is required of him in the rebounds and assists columns.
Bet: Buzelis Over 17.5 Points + Rebounds + Assists (-115)
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.
PARLAY: Suns Alt +7.5 vs. Spurs & Blazers Alt +7.5 vs. Lakers (-120 – 2 units)
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2024-25 NBA Record: 247-242-2 (+1.58 units)
