The Milwaukee Bucks suffered a rare loss this weekend, just their eighth of the 2019-20 NBA season. However, their lead in the Eastern Conference remains solid, as they are 6 ½ games ahead of Toronto and eight games ahead of Boston. Philadelphia is creeping back up toward the fourth slot in the East despite a 9-19 road record, as they have a three-game winning streak going. The Chicago Bulls are the coldest team in the East, on a six-game losing streak. In the Western Conference, the Lakers have a three-game winning streak and a four-game lead on the Denver Nuggets atop the standings. The Memphis Grizzlies are the hottest team in the conference, winners of eight of their last ten and four games ahead of Portland in the last playoff slot. We’ve picked a couple of this week’s games for you to consider in your NBA betting — check out our thoughts as you ponder your wagering.
Top NBA Betting Picks of the Week February 17th Edition
Thursday, February 20
Brooklyn at Philadelphia (8:00 pm ET, TNT)
The Brooklyn Nets have won four of their last five, with wins over the Warriors and the Suns coming before a one-point loss in Toronto. The Nets followed that up with a win in Indiana over the Pacers and then a ten-point home win over Toronto on Wednesday that ended a 15-game winning streak for the Raptors. Brooklyn held the Raptors to 37.8 percent shooting from the floor. Caris LeVert put up 20 points in the win — after putting 37 points in the loss two games previously. Joe Harris chipped in 19 points, and Spencer Dinwiddie put up 17 points and nine assists.
Next up for the Nets is a trip to Philadelphia, where the 76ers have only lost two home games all season long. They have beaten Memphis, Chicago and the Clippers, posting a three-game winning streak (all at home). In that win over the Clippers, Josh Richardson had 21 points, 17 in the fourth quarter to help the 76ers pull away. Joel Embiid had 26 points, and Ben Simmons had another triple-double, with 26 points, 12 boards and 10 assists. Philadelphia has a 25-2 home record, tops in the NBA — and I see them keeping that going against Brooklyn.
Final Score Prediction: Philadelphia 111, Brooklyn 104
Friday, February 21
Dallas at Orlando (7:00 pm ET)
The Dallas Mavericks have slid to seventh place in the Western Conference standings, largely due to inconsistent defense at home and having to spend a lot of time playing without their star, phenom Luka Doncic. Going into the All-Star break, the Mavericks had dropped three of five, but they did finish the first half with a 130-111 thumping of the Sacramento Kings. In that game, Doncic was finally back after a seven-game absence with a right ankle sprain, and he went off for 33 points and a dozen boards, along with eight assists. Kristaps Porzingis also had a huge night, putting up 27 points and 13 rebounds. Porzingis is coming on for the Mavericks; in the last three games of Doncic’s absence, he had put together three straight games with at least 30 points and 10 rebounds.
Next up for Dallas is a trip to Orlando to take on the Magic. They finished up the first half of the season with a nine-point win over Atlanta and a four-point win over Detroit, both at home. In that win over the Pistons last Wednesday, Orlando needed overtime to hold off a Pistons team that had erased a 22-point deficit to send the game to extra time. Aaron Gordon put up 25 points, and Markelle Fultz chipped in 21. Gordon also grabbed nine boards and dished out nine assists. Luckily for Orlando, Detroit only scored four points in overtime. The Mavericks have had trouble with Orlando over the past few seasons — Orlando beat Dallas on the road earlier this season — but given the return of Doncic and how well he and Porzingis are playing together, Dallas should win this game.
Final Score Prediction: Dallas 120, Orlando 113
