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 Wednesday, February 5th. 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 5th
NBA Best Bets Today – February 5th
Cleveland Cavaliers at Detroit Pistons – 7:00 pm ET
This is the second night of a back-to-back for the Cavaliers, and it’s not exactly a normal one either. Cleveland hosted Boston in a potential preview of the Eastern Conference Finals last night. Both teams played with a lot of energy, and the Cavaliers also fought hard to battle back in the second half. They badly wanted that win, but they weren’t able to get it. Now, Cleveland is in a bit of a letdown situation. I’m also not sure this is the right night for that, as J.B. Bickerstaff will surely want to beat the team that fired him. And Bickerstaff’s players have been bought in all year long, so they’re going to want it for him. To me, that means the Pistons will have fresher legs and a lot more energy.
For as good as the Cavaliers have been under Kenny Atkinson, they are just 5-6 against the spread when playing their third game in four nights. Nobody in the league is immune to tired legs. Also, the Pistons are 7-5 ATS as home underdogs under Bickerstaff, and they’re also 7-4 ATS when facing teams that outscore opponents by at least 3.0 points per game under him.
Detroit should also be eager to face Cleveland at home, as the team has lost two road games against the Cavaliers by an average of 15.5 points per game. Playing in Detroit should help the Pistons quite a bit, as the Cavaliers are 24-4 with a net rating of +12.7 in Cleveland.
This is also a game in which Cade Cunningham should really be able to impose his will. One of the clear needs for the Cavaliers is a strong defensive wing that can’t be played off the court. Until Cleveland has one of those, Cunningham should feast in this matchup. And that’s especially true with some adequate floor spacing, which I believe he’ll have in this big home game.
Bet: Pistons +6.5 (-110 – 2 units) & Pistons ML (+200 – 0.5 units)
NBA Player Props Today – February 5th
Memphis Grizzlies at Toronto Raptors – 7:30 pm ET
Zach Edey has reached double digits in four of his last six games, and he’s averaging 15.0 points per game over the last two contests. Well, Edey is now going up against a Raptors team that lost Jakob Poeltl to an injury last night. It’s not clear whether Poeltl will be out there, but it’ll be hard for Toronto to handle Edey without him. The other bigs on the roster just aren’t very reliable defensively, and none of them have the size required to bang with Edey in the paint. But even if Poeltl is out there, I like Edey to play well offensively in his time on the court. And I wouldn’t be shocked if Taylor Jenkins gives him a little extra playing time here, as Edey is Canadian and will likely have some friends and family in the crowd.
Bet: Edey Over 9.5 Points (-120 – 1.5 units)
Orlando Magic at Sacramento Kings – 10:00 pm ET
According to our VSiN NBA prop bet analyzer, Wendell Carter Jr. has gone Over tonight’s 16.5 points, rebounds and assists total in 17 of the 26 games he has played this season. Well, I like him to clear the mark again. Carter has’t been playing his best basketball lately, but he’s heading into a matchup in which he won’t be undersized in his battle at the center spot. So, he should do pretty well on the boards, allowing him to put a nice dent in this total. But I also believe Carter has a lot more to offer offensively than we have seen lately. He had scored at least 10 points in seven of his previous eight games before scoring a total of 12 over the last two. And this is the type of matchup that should bring out the best in him. Carter should be able to move Sabonis around near the rim, and he should also be able to step out and knock down a 3 or two. And of course, Carter is a solid passer, so a good mark in the assists column is always a possibility. Also, for what it’s worth, Carter had 22 combined points, rebounds and assists against the Warriors last game, despite the fact he only played 28 minutes and wasn’t a factor as a scorer.
Bet: Carter Over 16.5 Points + Rebounds + Assists (-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.
PARLAY: Spurs ML vs. Hawks & Jazz Alt Spread +10.5 vs. Warriors (+136 – 1.5 units)
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2024-25 NBA Record: 227-221-2 (+4.20 units)
