Top NBA Picks and Predictions Today (Bucks Upset Sixers, Keep Fading Lakers on Thursday)

There are two games in the NBA on Thursday night, and basketball fans get to see Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks make their season debut.

LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers are back in action against the Los Angeles Clippers, but do Kawhi Leonard and Paul George send the Lakers to a 0-2 start?

BetSided's Donnavan Smoot has a play for each game on Thursday night:

Milwaukee Bucks vs. Philadelphia 76ers Odds, Prediction and Pick

Against the Boston Celtics, we saw the resurgence of James Harden. He was aggressive, knocking down shots and looking like a superstar. However, Joel Embiid did not – and that was with every Boston big man in foul trouble. Now, they’ll have to go against Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks. 

Giannis is a one man wrecking crew and even with Khris Middleton out, has the ability to take down the Sixers. The Sixers don’t have too much defensive depth at the big man position, which will give the Bucks the advantage down low. 

Two of the last three matchups have been decided by three points or less. With the Bucks ready to make a statement to start the season, this is a Bucks or no play in this one. 

Los Angeles Clippers vs. Los Angeles Lakers Odds, Prediction and Pick

This is the definition of a generous line. It’s going to be hard for the Lakers to be worse than what they looked like on Opening Night. They finished the game shooting 25% from 3, which is going to be a weak point on their team the entire season. The Clippers’ depth is much better than the Lakers, and they’ll be able to outshoot their second unit all night. 

Defensively, the Clippers will also be able to match up with the Lakers better than the Lakers can match up with them. This season, after one game, already seems like one where LeBron will get his and a win after that will be a cherry on top. 

The Clippers are competing for a championship and now that they have two elite wings back on their side, they’ll be able to attack and dominate from the perimeter all game. 

I locked this bet in at -5, but I like it up to -8.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.