NBA Best Bets Today (Predictions for Kevin Durant, Warriors-Nuggets on Thursday)
By Peter Dewey
We've got just two games in the NBA on Thursday, but I've got a prop for one game and a pick for another as we try to close out another solid week in the NBA Best Bets column.
I'm looking to fade Kevin Durant (I know, crazy) against James Harden and the Philadelphia 76ers, and I'm also off the Denver Nuggets as they play their fourth game in five days.
Let's get into today's picks!
All odds via WynnBET Sportsbook.
NBA Best Bets Record to Date
- NBA Best Bets Record: 147-149-3
Find Peter Dewey’s full betting record in the NBA this season here.
NBA Best Bets Today
- Golden State Warriors Moneyline vs. Denver Nuggets (-130)
- Kevin Durant UNDER 6.5 Rebounds (-110)
Golden State Warriors vs. Denver Nuggets: Warriors Moneyline (-130)
The NBA’s schedule makers did not do the Denver Nuggets any favors this week, as a makeup game with the Golden State Warriors earlier in the week will now have Denver playing its fourth game in five days on Thursday.
The Nuggets will get the Warriors again in this matchup, and they did beat them on Monday in Denver. Nikola Jokic’s squad pulled out the victory against the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday, their fourth straight, but do they have enough left in the tank to win this game?
Denver has now pulled into a tie with the Dallas Mavericks for the No. 5 seed in the Western Conference, and while every game counts at this point in the season, I’m not sure that Denver will be rolling out its entire team on Thursday.
The Nuggets can’t afford another injury, and playing four games in five days is a recipe for disaster. The Nuggets have already gone 3-0 over this stretch, so it’s possible Nikola Jokic and others sit tonight.
Denver did sit Jeff Green, Bones Hyland and Will Barton on Wednesday, but I still hate this turnaround regardless of who is in.
The Warriors finally got back in the win column in their last game, and they’ll be motivated to get this game with the Utah Jazz creeping up for the No. 3 seed in the West.
The Nuggets are just 5-7 against the spread on back-to-backs this season, and I think this is a solid spot to take the Warriors to win again as they look to turn their season around.
Kevin Durant UNDER 6.5 Rebounds (-110)
Kevin Durant is looking for some revenge tonight against James Harden and the Philadelphia 76ers, but I’m actually going to fade him as a rebounder in this game.
KD has put up four, six and three rebounds in his last three games since returning from injury, and now he’s facing a Sixers team that is 28th in the NBA in pace, which means we’re going to have fewer possessions in this game.
Durant is averaging 7.2 rebounds per game this season, but I think the under is the way to roll until he starts clearing 6.5 boards with regularity.