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 Sunday, February 23rd. 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 23rd
NBA Best Bets Today – February 23rd
New York Knicks at Boston Celtics – 1:00 pm ET
Josh Hart and OG Anunoby are on the injury report for New York, so it’s not yet clear whether or not the Knicks will be at full strength tonight. However, the team did have a day off after Friday’s 37-point loss to the Cavaliers. So, one would think that one — or both — will be out there. Speaking of that 37-point loss, it’s hard to imagine New York not coming out with some fire after that one. Under Tom Thibodeau, the Knicks are 9-3 straight-up and 8-3-1 against the spread when coming off road blowout losses of 20 or more points. Also, the Knicks are 32-15 SU off losses by 15 or more under Thibodeau, in general. Meanwhile, the Celtics are just 6-10 ATS as home favorites of 6.5 to 12 points this season. They have looked lousy as large favorites all year long. They’re also 0-6 ATS when playing with two days of rest or more, which is just odd for a well-coached team with a rotation that includes several players that can use some rest. On top of all of that, Boston is just 2-12 ATS after a blowout win by 20 or more this season. So, while the Knicks respond well to being blown out, the Celtics can struggle after lopsided wins.
We have also seen Boston absolutely dominate New York this year, winning two games by a combined 50 points. Well, I’m not sure the gap between these two is all that large, even if the Celtics are the clear favorites to win the Eastern Conference. New York is going to want to get its lick back. That said, I’m rolling with the Knicks +9 and also sprinkling some moneyline at +290. I think we’re going to see big performances out of both Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns here. The latter is working against a Boston team that has struggled against opposing centers all season.
Bet: Knicks +9 (-113 – 2 units) & Knicks ML (+290 – 0.5 units)
Memphis Grizzlies at Cleveland Cavaliers – 7:00 pm ET
The Cavaliers have won 10 of their last 11 games, and the Grizzlies are just 2-3 in their last five. So, these teams aren’t exactly on level playing fields when it comes to form coming into this one. However, I can’t help but think that Memphis is getting too many points. I might have laid off this thing if the Grizzlies were getting only 4.5 or 5, but I think the oddsmakers have gone a little too far here. For as good as Cleveland has been this season, the group is just 2-3 SU and ATS when facing opponents with winning percentages between 60.0% and 70.0% this season. We have have also seen Cleveland struggle with Houston this year, going 0-2 both SU and ATS in two meetings with the Rockets. I believe that’s because Houston plays at warp speed offensively. Well, Memphis does the same thing and has more shot makers scattered throughout the rotation. So, I’m interested in seeing how this one looks. Seven of the Cavaliers’ 10 losses have come against teams that average 92.0 or more shots per game. But I will note that I think there’s a chance Ja Morant outshines every guard on the floor in this game. And I believe Memphis’ 3-point shooting — and specifically how well the team moves off the ball — will test a Cleveland team that is still somewhat hard to trust defensively.
Bet: Grizzlies +6.5 (-115 – 1.5 units)
NBA Player Props Today – February 23rd
Phoenix Suns at Toronto Raptors – 6:00 pm ET
Immanuel Quickley has gotten himself going as a scorer lately, as he has had at least 20 points in three of his last four games. But I’m actually turning to Quickley to make an impact as a passer this evening. Over the last 10 games, Phoenix is just 24th in the NBA in defensive rating (118.6). This team has been a disaster defensively, and the group breaks down constantly. So, a guard that plays with even a decent amount of awareness should be able to rack up assists against the Suns. Well, Quickley does that. In fact, over the last four games, Quickley is averaging 10.5 potential assists per game. That time span is significant because Quickley has played at least 30 minutes in each of the last four, and he actually just played a season-high 38 minutes against the Heat. He’s as healthy as he has been all year, and it could be time to start leaning on him when it comes to NBA player props.
Bet: Quickley Over 5.5 Assists (+100)
Detroit Pistons at Atlanta Hawks – 6:00 pm ET
In three meetings with the Hawks this season, Cade Cunningham is averaging 27.0 points, 12.7 assists and 7.7 rebounds per game. He has really enjoyed facing Atlanta, as the team plays at a fast pace and isn’t all that good defensively. Well, I’m focusing on the rebounds and assists here. I just love the idea of going Over 15.5 on a total that he has cruised against in three previous showdowns. He’s averaging 20.4 assists and rebounds per game against the Hawks, and the matchup might honestly be worse for Atlanta now. With no Jalen Johnson the rest of the year — and De’Andre Hunter on another team — the Hawks have less size to keep Cunningham from having his way.
Bet: Cunningham Over 15.5 Rebounds + Assists (-113)
Oklahoma City Thunder at Minnesota Timberwolves – 9:30 pm ET
Anthony Edwards has made at least four 3s in five of his last six games, and he’s actually averaging 4.2 triples per game on the season. Honestly, all season long, the Over on Edwards’ 3-point total of 3.5 has been one of the best bets in basketball, and I’m just not willing to go away from it tonight. I know Edwards is going against an elite Oklahoma City defense, but he went 4 for 7 against the Thunder back on December 31st. And while he didn’t clear the number when these teams met on February 13th, he went 3 for 12 in that game. I’ll happily bet on that type of volume. As a 41.1% 3-point shooter, if Edwards approaches 10 attempts in this game, I’d feel really good about this play. I also just love that Minnesota remains without Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo and Rudy Gobert. Edwards is going to continue to take it upon himself to try and win games, so he’s going to be ultra-aggressive.
Bet: Edwards Over 3.5 Made 3s (-110)
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: Warriors ML vs. Mavericks & Pelicans Alt +7.5 vs. Spurs (-146 – 1.5 units)
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2024-25 NBA Record: 252-257-2 (-7.02 units)
