NBA Best Bets Today (Predictions for LaMelo Ball, Knicks-Jazz and Heat-Wizards)

We're off to a great start this week in the NBA Best Bets column, as we had a 4-1 day on Sunday.

We're going heavy on road teams today, taking one underdog and one favorite to cover the spread, and we have a player prop pick for LaMelo Ball at home against the Toronto Raptors.

Let's break down the picks for Feb. 7:

All odds courtesy of WynnBET Sportsbook.

NBA Best Bets Record to Date

• NBA Best Bets Record: 113-121-2

NBA Best Bets Today

• New York Knicks +7.5 vs. Utah Jazz (-110)
• Miami Heat -5.5 vs. Washington Wizards (-110) 
• LaMelo Ball OVER 18.5 Points (-130)

New York Knicks vs. Utah Jazz: Knicks +7.5 (-110)

Utah has won back-to-back games since Donovan Mitchell returned to the lineup, but it will be without center Rudy Gobert (calf) in this matchup. The Jazz have not played well without Gobert this season, but can they handle business against a Knicks team that could be a seller at the trade deadline?

The Knicks are not playing great basketball right now, but I think we’re getting some value on them to cover in this game. 

Utah has played 11 games without Gobert this season, going 3-8 straight up in those contests. The Jazz did beat the shorthanded Brooklyn Nets by 23 in their last game, but their other two wins without Gobert have come by just four points. 

I think that sets up well for a Knicks team that is going to want to get downhill and attack the basket with Julius Randle and RJ Barrett, and I discussed it on this morning's episode of Bet & Breakfast. 

The Jazz are 25th in the NBA in defensive rating over their last six games without Gobert, which is a far cry from their No. 14 defense on the season. 

I think New York slows this game down and is able to hang around with Gobert’s presence absent from the Jazz defense.

Miami Heat vs. Washington Wizards: Heat -5.5 (-110)

Washington is just 2-8 in its last 10 games, and it is likely going to be without Bradley Beal (wrist) again in this matchup. 

The Heat have a loaded injury report, as Jimmy Butler, Tyler Herro, Caleb Martin and Max Strus are all questionable for Monday’s showdown. 

Our own Ben Heisler broke down this bet on this morning’s episode of Bet & Breakfast, and I’m tailing his pick tonight. 

Miami has been dominant since it finally got Bam Adebayo, Kyle Lowry and Butler back in the lineup, beating the San Antonio Spurs by 17 and the Charlotte Hornets by 18 in its last two games. 

The Wizards have gone 6-5 against the spread as a home underdog this season, but I’m out on this team considering it has covered just twice over its last 15 games. 

There is some risk in taking this line before Butler or Herro are active, but I think the Heat and their No. 6 defense roll in this game. 

LaMelo Ball OVER 18.5 Points (-110)

LaMelo Ball has failed to clear this line in back-to-back games, but I think he and the Hornets are due for some positive regression offensively, as I outlined in my underdog pick of the day. 

The Raptors are an average defense, ranking 16th in the league this season, and the bright side is that LaMelo has seen plenty of opportunities to score lately. 

Ball has cleared this line in six of his last eight games, and he’s taken 16.6 shots per game this season. LaMelo is going to get his chances, and I think we are getting some value on this prop considering his season average is at 19.6 points per game.

Find Peter Dewey’s full betting record in the NBA this season here.