The NBA regular season is back in full swing this Thursday, with a total of 9 matchups on the docket scheduled for today. So, our staff of basketball betting experts dug into the latest odds and identified all the best value on the board.
Our betting experts have looked over the odds and made NBA picks for all 9 of today's matchups. Continue below for our NBA best bets and predictions for Thursday, February 20.
NBA Best Bets, Predictions, Picks, Odds: Thursday, February 20
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
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  | 7 p.m. | |
  | 8 p.m. | |
  | 7:30 p.m. | |
  | 7 p.m. | |
  | 7:30 p.m. | |
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  | 9 p.m. | |
  | 9:30 p.m. | |
  | 10 p.m. | |
Specific betting recommendations come from the sportsbook offering preferred odds as of writing. Always shop for the best price using our NBA Odds page, which automatically surfaces the best lines for every game. | ||
Grizzlies vs. Pacers
This is a clear matchup advantage Grizzlies.
Right now Memphis is playing the up tempo style of basketball the Pacers have been known for under Carlisle, the Grizzlies are leading the league in pace.
They can score from all 5 positions, inside and out, and have depth off the bench.
Ja Morant might return tonight, which would be another boost to Memphis.
Jaren Jackson Jr is ascending to superstar and was playing at such an elite level prior to the All-Star break.
Look for him to be the best player on the court and dominate vs Indy. Currently the spread is -2.5 across the board, but i would play -3 as well.
Pick: Grizzlies -2.5 (-110)
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Clippers vs. Bucks
By Joe Dellera
The Bucks take on the Clippers today in their first game out of the break. One player that I expect to be locked in is Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Giannis last played on February 2, but has gotten nearly three weeks of rest.
This is the front end of a back-to-back, so there is a bit of risk that he sits today to play the Wizards tomorrow. However, this is the final crunch down the regular season as the Bucks jockey for positioning in the East.
Giannis is averaging 31.6 ppg and has 30+ in 67% of games this season.
On January 25, he scored 36 points against this same Clippers team, and was dominant while getting the free throw line 15 times.
While the Clippers limit rim opportunities, they have allowed the seventh-highest shooting percentage in the league at the rim, an area where Giannis lives. I’ll back Giannis to start the second half strong.
Pick: Giannis Antetokounmpo 30+ Points (-125)
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Bulls vs. Knicks
Truthfully, I really wanted Nikola Vucevic over rebounds plus assists instead, but it's at 13.5.
And look, that may still hit, but I think the rebounds are a touch safer in this matchup.
We've gotten word already: No Josh Hart for the Knicks.
Regardless, Vuc is over 9.5 boards in both games against the Knicks this season, with 11 and 12 respectively.
Additionally, he's pulled down 10 or more boards in five of six against the Knicks going back to December 2022.
For what it's worth, his rebounds + assists (RA) line has been 14+ against the Knicks in three straight and in those same five of six.
If you prefer over 13.5 RA — and the number is better — I won't talk you off. It's a good matchup and the Bulls will play him.
Pick: Nikola Vucevic Over 9.5 Rebounds (-125)
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Celtics vs. 76ers
By Matt Moore
Road favorites coming out of the All-Star Break are 39-25 ATS since 2003, and they are 14-5 ATS in the last five seasons.
I project this spread at Celtics -9, though it’s a Sixers game, so trying to figure out how to power rate it with their injuries is a nightmare.
Lay the points with Boston.
Pick: Celtics -7.5 (-108)
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Magic vs. Hawks
By Alex Hinton
The Orlando Magic provide a difficult matchup for most big men and Onyeka Okongwu has been no exception. Last Monday, these teams matched up in Orlando and Okongwu had nine points and seven rebounds. That is below his average of 13.8 points and 9.1 rebounds and an average game would also keep him under this line.
Tonight, the matchup shifts to Atlanta, but I am expecting Okongwu to struggle once again. Orlando is allowing the second-fewest points and rebounds per game overall and are allowing the seventh-fewest points and second-fewest rebounds per game specifically to centers.
He has recorded less than 25 PR in nine of his last 10 games against Orlando. While several matchups came while he was coming off the bench, he started and played 29 minutes in the last meeting.
Overall, he has stayed under this line in seven of his last 10 games. If those trends continue, he will remain under 25 PR once again tonight.
Pick: Onyeka Okongwu Under 24.5 Points + Rebounds (-125)
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Cavaliers vs. Nets
By Ray Monohan
Cleveland has the value in this spot as the Cavs tip off the second half against Brooklyn.
Cleveland covered these big spreads all first half long, and they blew Brooklyn out a few times in head to head meetings.
Cleveland is just far too powerful, as the Cavs are putting up 122.7 ppg so far this year.
They're going to run and gun on this Nets defense that has had a ton of issues this year.
Look for the pace to be too much for the Nets to handle in a game that will likely be a blowout from the start. Back Cleveland.
Pick: Cavaliers -13 (-110)
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Hornets vs. Nuggets
By Nick Galaida
Miles Bridges scored 29 points last night against the Lakers, but he was extremely efficient from 3-point territory (5-of-11) in addition to shooting his most free throw attempts in a single game since January 3.
Suffice it to say, yesterday was an outlier performance for Bridges in a few different ways.
Tonight, the Hornets have the unenviable task of facing the Nuggets, in Denver, on the second night of a back-to-back.
Bridges has been considerably less efficient on the road this season, shooting only 41.6% from the field.
There is legitimate blowout potential in this matchup as well, which could lead to Bridges playing slightly fewer minutes than we saw last night.
The math favors the under here.
Pick: Miles Bridges Under 25.5 Points (-105)
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Suns vs. Spurs
By Kyle Murray
Will happily grab this number for the Suns with Wemby listed as doubtful on the Spurs injury report.
The Suns essentially have a clean injury report, aside from Devin Booker, and the week of rest should benefit a player like Kevin Durant in a big way.
The Spurs have lost 7 of their last 10 games, and they own a brutal record of 10-24 when underdogs.
Pick: Suns Moneyline (-130)
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Lakers vs. Trail Blazers
By Kyle Murray
The Lakers find themselves on the back end of a back-to-back here after the NBA rescheduled a game for them last night.
This game still has a tight 3.5-point spread, so I would expect the usual cast of guys to suit up, but this Blazers team has been improved defensively of late, while the Lakers are bottom-10 in pace.
I'll grab the Under.
Pick: Under 227 (-110)
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