For a Thursday night in the National Basketball Association, we have just a pair of games scheduled for broadcast on NBATV. Despite the lack of choices, we still have a parlay opportunity ready for you. Let’s get started!
Get instant alerts when a line reaches your target via the BettingPros App >>
Thursday’s Best NBA Bets
Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook | All wagers are for 1 unit
Milwaukee Bucks at Indiana Pacers
The Bucks eeked out a 120-118 victory against the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday night, and Milwaukee has picked up a season-high three victories. Now, the boys from Cream City head down to Indianapolis to tangle with the Pacers.
Milwaukee has managed an ugly 1-5-1 against the spread (ATS) mark in seven games overall, including a pair of non-covers in both of its previous road games. The Bucks rank No. 8 in the league with 117.1 PPG, while hitting 36.8% from behind the 3-point line. Defensively, Milwaukee has struggled, allowing 119.4 PPG, while teams are hitting 48.8% from the floor. The Bucks are 25th in both of those categories, and they’ll need to pick up the pace in those departments if they’re going to realize their championship dreams.
Milwaukee has hit the Over in the past two games while going 4-1 in the past five games and 5-2 in seven games overall this season.
Indiana’s offense has been high octane, going for 121 or more points in four consecutive outings, including an insane 152 points against the San Antonio Spurs on Monday and 134 points against the Utah Jazz on Wednesday, both at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The Over has hit in five in a row and seven of the past eight games.
The rankings just boggle the mind, as Indiana averages 126.0 PPG to lead the NBA while checking in No. 2 in The Association with 49.8% shooting from the field. It’s also red-hot from behind the arc, knocking down 38.2% to rank No. 5, and Indiana is a strong free-throw shooting team, too, connecting at 80.5%.
On the flip side, the Pacers have allowed 121.3 PPG to rank No. 26 in the league, and teams are hitting at a 38.4% clip from behind the 3-point line.
While it’s a really big number, the Over is the play, based on Indiana’s red-hot offense and its very forgiving defense. The total has also gone high in five straight meetings in this series, while going 8-2 in the past 10 head-to-head battles.
Bet: Over 243.5 (-110)
Atlanta Hawks at Orlando Magic
The Hawks and the Magic do battle at Arena Ciudad de Mexico in an International Series game. This is the 32nd time in NBA history that the NBA has visited Mexico, and it’s Orlando’s fourth trip to the capital.
Atlanta saw its four-game winning streak snapped on Monday night in Oklahoma City. It was 3-1 ATS in the win streak, but it failed to cover as a 1-point favorite in OKC.
Atlanta’s offense has been hot like Indiana, nipping at the heels of the Pacers with 122.0 PPG to rank No. 2 in the NBA. The Hawks are a very good free-throw shooting team, too, connecting at an 84.3% clip, so they don’t leave a lot of points on the floor.
The ATL defense has allowed 116.7 PPG, while teams are hitting 48.3% from the field and 36.0% from behind the 3-point line, each ranked 20th or worse. The Over has cashed in three of the past four games.
The Magic have a handful of players on the injured list, with C Wendell Carter Jr. (hand), G Markelle Fultz (knee), and G Gary Harris (groin) each on the shelf. Orlando was missing a gear against the visiting Dallas Mavericks on Monday, falling 117-102 as a 1-point underdog in O-Town. It was just the second non-cover in seven games overall for the Magic while cashing the Under for the fifth time in seven contests.
This game will be played at elevation at Arena CDMX, and it will be interesting to see how these teams adjust. But they do get to play in Denver, so it will be similar. The Over has cashed in each of the past three in this series, and we should see plenty of points with Atlanta running hot on offense.
Bet: Over 231.5 (-110)
Make sure to check out our other best bets for Thursday:
- NFL Thursday Night Football Anytime Touchdown Scorer Picks
- Top 4 Picks for NFL Thursday Night Football
- Top NBA Odds, Picks, & Predictions
- NBA First Basket Scorer Odds, Picks & Predictions
- College Football Week 11 Totals Odds, Picks & Predictions (2023)
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | RadioPublic | Breaker | Castbox | Pocket Casts