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 Thursday, February 6th. 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 6th
NBA Best Bets Today – February 6th
Dallas Mavericks at Boston Celtics – 7:30 pm ET
Anthony Davis is listed as questionable for the Mavericks tonight, but he was doing some on-court work this morning. That said, I think there’s a good chance he’ll be out there this evening. And that makes it a little crazy to me that Dallas is out there at +10.5 and +10.
I know the Mavericks will be without PJ Washington tonight, but I think they have enough to keep things from getting out of hand against the Celtics. This season, Boston is just 12-18 against the spread when playing as a favorite of 10 or more. The Celtics are also just 5-9 ATS as home favorites of 6.5 to 12 points. This team just hasn’t been blowing opponents out regularly, and I’m not even sure why they’re expected to do that against a good Mavericks team. Dallas wasn’t able to come up with a few key stops against Philadelphia the other night, but the team looked good offensively with Klay Thompson and Max Christie next to Kyrie Irving. And if Davis is out there, that adds another player that can score in a variety of ways — while also completely shoring up the team’s defense.
It also seems like there’s a chance Jrue Holiday will miss this game for the Celtics. If he does, that’s one less player that can slow down Irving.
Bet: Mavericks +10.5 (-115 – 1.5 units)
Orlando Magic at Denver Nuggets – 9:00 pm ET
The Magic are coming off a game in Sacramento last night, so this is the second night of a back-to-back. However, Orlando won that game by 19 points, and Paolo Banchero is the only player that played more than 30 minutes — and he only played 31. So, this Magic team should be alright in the rest department, and I feel that’s being underrated a bit in the market.
I know Orlando had lost nine of its last 10 games before winning last night, but it was only a matter of time before the team found itself. The Magic played so well with Banchero and Franz Wagner in and out of the lineup, and it just doesn’t make a lot of sense to believe they won’t figure it out with the two All-Stars together.
This matchup is also very good manageable for Orlando. The Nuggets have been miserable defensively for weeks now, so the Magic should be able to get their offense going — especially after finding a little something last night. And Orlando is still third in the league in adjusted defensive rating (108.8), so I like the Magic to make things difficult on the Nuggets offense.
Orlando is also 33-24-1 ATS as a road underdog of 6.5 to 12 points under Jamahl Mosley. The team is also 67-51-2 ATS when facing teams that force 13.0 or fewer turnovers per game in that span.
Bet: Magic +8 (-108)
NBA Player Props Today – February 6th
Minnesota Timberwolves at Houston Rockets – 8:00 pm ET
Over the last two games, Naz Reid is averaging 26.0 points, 7.5 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game. The big man is also playing 38.0 minutes per game. Reid is enjoying life without Julius Randle right now, as he is getting more playing time and more opportunities to make plays. And I really don’t see anything changing in Houston tonight. The Rockets might be fourth in the league in adjusted defensive rating (109.1), but Jabari Smith Jr. and Steven Adams won’t be out there. And the less big bodies Houston has to stop Reid from barreling towards the rim, the less likely it is the team will be able to keep him from going off. We already know Reid is going to knock down a couple of 3s, so letting him get going as a driver would be a dangerous game for the Rockets. Reid should also pitch in as a rebounder and passer. He’s good for seven or eight boards in extended minutes, and he’s a good ball handler.
Bet: Reid Over 26.5 Points + Rebounds + Assists (-115 – 1.5 units)
Sacramento Kings at Portland Trail Blazers – 10:00 pm ET
The Kings threw Zach LaVine into the fire last night, as he played 31 minutes in his team debut. Unfortunately, LaVine went 0 for 4 from 3 and Sacramento got blown out in the game. However, nerves were certainly a factor there. Now that LaVine is going and playing on the road, he can just focus on basketball. And I have a hard time believing he won’t make at least three 3s in this one. LaVine made at least three triples in nine of the 14 games he played in January, and he was shooting 44.6% from 3 on 7.3 attempts per game in Chicago this year. He’s an absolute sniper from behind the 3-point line, so I don’t see him struggling for long. I also think this is a good matchup for him. I know the Blazers have been playing some inspired ball lately, but I’m not a long-term believer in the team’s defense. There’s too many weak perimeter defenders. So, I wouldn’t be surprised if LaVine gets a ton of open looks tonight.
Bet: LaVine Over 2.5 Made 3s (+100)
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: 231-222-2 (+10.24 units)
