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 Sunday, February 1.
RELATED: Check out the Pro Picks page for more selections from our talented VSiN hosts and analysts!
NBA Best Bets Today (Sides/Totals)
Knicks -4.5 (-110) vs. Lakers
Lakers at Knicks – 7:00 pm ET
These teams are somewhat similar in that both are tremendous offensively and shaky defensively. However, the Knicks are a bit better on both ends of the floor. Mike Brown’s team is third in the NBA in adjusted offensive rating (119.1) and 14th in adjusted defensive rating (114.4), while Los Angeles is seventh in aORTG (116.8) and 25th in aDRTG (117.1). The Knicks are also playing a little better right now. New York has won five consecutive games, and four of the victories were double-digit wins.
The Knicks are also 16-7-1 against the spread as home favorites this year, and they’re 6-2 ATS when facing teams with winning percentages between 60% and 70%. The latter is a big one, as it shows that New York gets up for tough matchups.
I also just think there’s a chance that Mitchell Robinson makes a big mark on this game. His activity on the glass should be a factor against an LA team that is a little soft inside.
Also, good luck to the Lakers perimeter players defending Jalen Brunson. Los Angeles has some of the worst defensive guards in the league, and Brunson is an elite offensive engine.
Nuggets +8.5 (-118) vs. Thunder
Thunder at Nuggets – 9:30 pm ET
It seems like something might be going on with injury report in this one, as the spread keeps getting bigger and bigger. However, as of 11:00 am ET, it looks like Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray will be out there for Denver. That’s enough for me to grab the points.
While Aaron Gordon, Cameron Johnson, and Christian Braun are out for the Nuggets, it’s not like the Thunder are healthy. Oklahoma City will be without Jalen Williams, Alex Caruso, and Ajay Mitchell here, and the team also has to deal with playing in one of the most difficult road venues in sports. With that in mind, I think the playing field is somewhat level here, even with this being a tough rest spot for Denver.
I’m just not sure the Thunder should be expected to win this one big. We saw a full series of Denver hanging with Oklahoma City in last year’s playoffs, and that was a healthier Thunder team than this one. Also, Oklahoma City is coming off an up-and-down January.
NBA Player Props Today
Ryan Rollins Over 26.5 Points + Assists (+100) vs. Celtics
Bucks at Celtics – 3:30 pm ET
The Bucks still don’t have Giannis Antetokounmpo or Kevin Porter Jr., so I’m going back to Rollins to go Over his combined points and assists total. In the eight games that Rollins is playing without those two, he’s averaging 23.8 points and 7.4 assists per game. He has also had at least 27 combined points and assists in six of the eight games.
The matchup is also rather strong for Rollins, as the Celtics are a below-average defense and happen to rank 29th in the NBA when defending above-the-break 3s. Well, Rollins scores 36% of his points from the non-corners, so there’s a good chance he does damage as a scorer. However, I also like him to do his usual solid work as a passer.
Zach LaVine Over 17.5 Points (-118) vs. Wizards
Kings at Wizards – 6:00 pm ET
The Kings just traded Dennis Schroder to the Cavaliers, which clears up the team’s guard logjam a little bit. That should be good for LaVine, who is averaging 20.9 points per game in the games he has played without Schroder this year. LaVine is also going up against a Washington team that is near the bottom of the league in adjusted defensive rating (119.7), while also being in the top-10 in pace (102.0). The Wizards are also a bottom-10 team when it comes to guarding above-the-break 3s and shots at the rim, where LaVine scores a combined 63% of his points. I’d be surprised if he can’t get himself going as a scorer here — especially if Russell Westbrook or Malik Monk, who are both questionable, end up sitting.
Anthony Black Over 25.5 Points + Rebounds + Assists (-105) vs. Spurs
Magic at Spurs – 7:00 pm ET
In the 21 games that Black has played without Franz Wagner this season, the talented guard is averaging 28.3 combined points, rebounds, and assists. Also, even in the last five in which Jalen Suggs was active and Wagner was inactive, Black averaged 29.8 combined points, rebounds, and assists, and he went Over tonight’s 25.5 PRA in four of the five games.
I know tonight’s matchup with the Spurs is a little more difficult, as San Antonio has some feisty point-of-attack defenders. However, it’s hard for anyone to keep Black from getting to the basket, and he’s always a threat to knock down some triples. Also, he rarely fails to show up in the assists and rebounds columns.
Additional Plays
PARLAY: Raptors ML vs. Jazz & Suns Alt +8.5 vs. Clippers (-164)
2025-26 NBA Record: 309-295 (+2.66 units)
