NBA Best Bets Today (Predictions for Suns-Magic, Cavs-Pacers, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and More)
By Peter Dewey
We've got plenty of playoff teams in action on Thursday night in the NBA, but three of them are facing some of the worst teams in the league.
So, we're going to look at those three games with our four picks in the NBA Best Bets column. First off, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander plays tonight, so another SGA Appreciation Night is in order as he's hit the over on his points prop in six straight games.
That pick and three more for tonight:
All odds via WynnBET Sportsbook.
NBA Best Bets Record to Date
- NBA Best Bets Record: 143-147-2
Find Peter Dewey’s full betting record in the NBA this season here.
NBA Best Bets Today
- Cleveland Cavaliers -3 vs. Indiana Pacers (-110)
- Khris Middleton OVER 20.5 Points (-120)
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander OVER 26.5 Points (-115)
- Phoenix Suns -6.5 vs. Orlando Magic (-110)
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Indiana Pacers: Cavs -3 (-110)
The Cleveland Cavaliers continue to get hit by the injury bug, as they are down Jarrett Allen and Caris LeVert heading into Tuesday’s game against the Indiana Pacers.
Luckily for Cleveland, the Pacers are one of the worst teams in the NBA and have lost to the Washington Wizards, Detroit Pistons and Orlando Magic in three of their last four games.
The Pacers are playing extremely poorly as of late, ranking 28th in the NBA in defensive rating over their last 15 games, and I don’t expect things to change tonight against Cleveland.
The Cavaliers have taken a step back since the All-Star break, mainly due to injuries to Darius Garland, Allen and LeVert, but they have some value laying just 3.5 points in this game.
Cleveland is a top defensive unit in the league, ranking fourth in the NBA in defensive rating this season. While losing Allen certainly hurts, the Cavs can turn to Evan Mobley, Lauri Markkanen and Kevin Love in the frontcourt. Unlike when they lost Garland last month, the Cavs have depth to replace Allen in the lineup.
Tyrese Haliburton and Malcolm Brogdon could pose some problems for Cleveland defensively, but at the end of the day the Pacers simply can’t stop anyone and have lost to three of the worst teams in the NBA in their last four games.
I’m going to trust Cleveland with it vying for playoff position in the East.
Khris Middleton OVER 20.5 Points (-120)
Khris Middleton is coming off a season-high 44 points in the Milwaukee Bucks’ win over the Phoenix Suns on Sunday, and he’s cleared 20.5 points in four of his last five games.
We’re getting one of Middleton’s best stretches of the season, as he’s upped his points per game to 20.5 heading into the matchup with the Oklahoma City Thunder tonight.
I think Middleton can keep things going in what should be an easy win for the Bucks, who are 13.5-point favorites. Milwaukee is 14-7 ATS as a road favorite, so I wouldn't be surprised if this game gets out of hand.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander OVER 26.5 Points (-115)
It will remain SGA appreciation night until he misses on his points prop. Since returning after the All-Star break, Gilgeous-Alexander has cleared this line in six straight games, scoring 32, 36, 37, 29, 33 and 33 points.
He has taken 21 or more shots in five of those six games, and I expect similar usage once again with so many key players out for the Thunder. WynnBET has moved his prop from 25.5 to 26.5 tonight, but it’s not going to scare me away until it creeps closer to 30.
Phoenix Suns vs. Orlando Magic: Suns -6.5 (-110)
Orlando is 3-2 since the All-Star break, but it was blown out on Saturday by the Memphis Grizzlies after beating up on some of the lesser teams in the league.
Orlando has really struggled as a home underdog this season, going just 6-19 against the spread, which is the worst mark in the NBA besides the Suns’ 0-1 record.
Even without Booker and Paul, Phoenix hung tough with the Bucks on Sunday, and Cameron Payne, Deandre Ayton and Jae Crowder all had big games. A repeat performance may be tough, but Orlando is one of the worst offensive teams in the NBA (29th in offensive rating), so the Suns may be able to win a lower-scoring matchup.
I also wouldn’t mind the Suns in a small moneyline parlay tonight, but I’ll lay the points here against one of the worst teams in the NBA.