Now that the weekend is here, it’s time to simplify the grind. Instead of splitting sides/totals and player props into separate pieces, my weekend columns will bring everything under one roof — a streamlined look at my favorite bets for the day’s slate. Fewer words, hopefully the same results. Keep reading for my NBA picks and predictions for Saturday, February 21.
RELATED: Check out the Pro Picks page for more selections from our talented VSiN hosts and analysts!
NBA Best Bets Today (Sides/Totals)
PARLAY: Suns Alt +7.5 vs. Magic & Rockets Alt +7.5 vs. Knicks (-115)
Magic at Suns – 5:00 pm ET
Rockets at Knicks – 8:30 pm ET
I don’t particularly love any sides or totals tonight, so I’m giving myself a little extra cushion with two of my leans. I’m taking Phoenix and Houston up to the key NBA number of 7.5, doing so at a pretty reasonable price.
With the Suns, it obviously hurts that Devin Booker will be out. However, Jalen Green played 26 minutes last game, suggesting he’s close to shedding his minutes restriction. Phoenix is also getting Dillon Brooks back from a one-game suspension, meaning the team will have its tone-setter in the lineup. Realistically, the Suns just have enough shot-making talent in the backcourt to keep this one tight, especially when you consider some of the wing-stoppers Phoenix has for Orlando. The Suns also have a major edge at the center position.
I just trust what I’m getting from Phoenix, even without a superstar on the floor. The Suns are a top-10 defensive team, and they’re going to scrap like hell to avoid a three-game losing streak. Meanwhile, the Magic have lost the plot a little, as they’re sliding defensively and still can’t score efficiently. They’re also missing Franz Wagner, who is their most important player.
In the other game, you’d have to think the Knicks are going to be eager to bounce back after an embarrassing loss to the Pistons the other night, and I do think New York will turn in a stronger effort. However, the Rockets are also going to show some fight, they have some good defenders to throw on Jalen Brunson, and their overall toughness might be hard for the Knicks to match. After all, New York just got punked by a Detroit team that was missing some key pieces in the frontcourt. Do you really trust anybody on the Knicks to slow down Alperen Sengun here? I don’t. So, while New York could win this game, I’m banking on it being somewhat tight.
NBA Player Props Today
Zion Williamson Over 22.5 Points (-106) vs. 76ers
76ers at Pelicans – 7:00 pm ET
It seems like Trey Murphy III will miss another game for New Orleans, which could mean a big game for Williamson. In the four games Williamson has played without Murphy this season, the talented forward is averaging 28.5 points per game and has had at least 23 points in three of the contests. Also, in the one game he didn’t go Over tonight’s total without Murphy, he finished with 22 points. So, it’s not like he was far off. Williamson will also be going up against a Philadelphia team that will be missing Joel Embiid, meaning one less high-level rim deterrent to keep the southpaw from finishing at the rim. With that in mind, I’m firing Williamson up to have 23 or more. The numbers show that the Sixers are the 25th-ranked defense when it comes to rim defense, and Williamson scores 80% of his points at the cup.
Patrick Williams Over 8.5 Points + Rebounds (-112) vs. Pistons
Pistons at Bulls – 8:00 pm ET
I bet you weren’t expecting to see a Patrick Williams prop today, but why not spice up your Saturday? Williams has an absolutely brutal contract, as he hasn’t even come close to delivering on his five-year, $90 million deal. However, Williams is still getting decent minutes for Chicago, and he has been chipping in a little on the box score. In fact, over the last eight games, Williams is playing 26.8 minutes per game and averaging 10.4 points and 4.3 rebounds per night. He has also gone Over his combined points and rebounds total of 8.5 in eight straight games, which is why I pulled that eight-game sample size. Another relevant sample size is the last five games, as the Bulls have played five games since significantly shuffling up their roster at the trade deadline. Well, Williams is averaging 11.4 points and rebounds per game over the last five, playing 25.0 minutes per game. So, even with new faces in the locker room, he’s getting the same workload and finding ways to contribute. I don’t see that changing tonight. He’s actually averaging 11.0 points and rebounds per game in his last two meetings with Detroit.
Additional Plays (Late Adds, Teasers, Parlays, Futures)
Nothing yet.
2025-26 NBA Record: 345-331 (+4.97 units)
