We have a total of three games on the schedule for Thursday, which is the final day before the All-Stars convene in Indianapolis. This weekend, we will have the NBA Rising Stars event on Friday, the HBCU Classic and Saturday Night Skills Challenge, and, of course, the G League UP Next Game and NBA All-Star Game on TNT on Sunday.
Let’s get started building that bankroll for the next big betting events: the NBA All-Star Game, UFC 298, and March Madness.
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Thursday’s Best NBA Bets
Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook | All wagers are for 1 unit
Milwaukee Bucks (-720) at Memphis Grizzlies (+520) | O/U 223.5 (-110/-110)
The Bucks (35-20) open up a three-game road trip against the Grizzlies (19-36). While Memphis has won the past three meetings in this series, and went 6-1 against the spread (ATS) in the previous seven meetings, that was with superstar Ja Morant. He is out for the rest of the season, and Memphis is also without G Desmond Bane (ankle), F Brandon Clarke (Achilles), F Jake LaRavia (ankle), and G Marcus Smart (finger). The team could also have a rather short bench if G Scottie Pippen Jr. (back), who carries a questionable tag, cannot go.
Milwaukee is coming off an ugly 123-97 defeat at home against the Miami Heat, losing outright as a 7.5-point favorite. The Under (224) cashed for the third straight game, and the eighth time in the past nine contests. The Bucks are just 3-6 straight up (SU) in nine games since head coach Doc Rivers took the reins for the fired Adrian Griffin, who was 30-13 SU.
Memphis topped the Houston Rockets 121-113 on Wednesday, winning outright as a 2-point underdog and halting a nine-game losing streak. The Grizzlies have covered two in a row after a 1-4 ATS skid from February 2-10.
Memphis scored 110 or fewer points in three of the past four games, and 11 of the past 13. Milwaukee’s defense has been a little better lately, which was the main reason for canning Griffin. The Under is on the big 8-1 run for the Bucks, and that’s the way to go here.
Bets: Under 223.5 (-110)
Golden State Warriors (-118) at Utah Jazz (+100) | O/U 237.5 (-110/-110)
The Warriors (26-25) and Jazz (26-29) play in a make-up game from January 17, when GSW assistant coach Dejan Milojevic passed away from a heart attack in Salt Lake City.
Golden State suffered a 130-125 loss against the LA Clippers on Wednesday, losing outright as a 3.5-point favorite as the Over (238.5) cashed. Golden State is still 5-1 ATS in the past six games, while the Under is on a 5-1 run, too. That includes a 129-107 win as a 1-point favorite in Wednesday’s game in SLC, where the Under (240.5) cashed.
Utah is skidding lately, dropping three straight and six of the previous eight while also going 2-6 ATS in that eight-game span. The Jazz defense has struggled lately, allowing 129 or more points in three in a row, while coughing up 127 or more points in eight of the previous 13 contests. The best play on the board is to go high on the total, which is actually pretty reasonable with a line set well below 240.
Bet: Over 237.5 (-110)
Minnesota Timberwolves (-420) at Portland Trail Blazers (+330) | O/U 214.5 (-110/-110)
The Timberwolves (38-16) hook up with the Trail Blazers (15-38) in the final game across the board before the break.
Minnesota has ripped off three straight wins and covers; two of those games came against Milwaukee and the LA Clippers, which is rather impressive. The Timberwolves are an impressive 6-2 ATS in the past eight games, including 4-1 ATS in the past five away from home.
The Trail Blazers were on the short end of a 121-109 loss at home to the Timberwolves in the front-end of the back-to-back set. Despite the 0-3 ATS skid, Portland is still keeping their head above water with a 9-6 ATS mark across the previous 15 outings.
Portland got pounded 121-109 last time out against Minnesota, just missing the cover as an 8.5-point underdog. We’re looking at the total a little closer, especially since the T’Wolves have covered three in a row. They’ll get revenge in a big way in the Rose Garden.
Bet: Minnesota -8.5 (-112)
Make sure to check out our other best bets for Thursday:
- NHL Prop Betting Cheat Sheet
- Top NBA Odds, Picks & Predictions
- 2024 NBA All-Star Game Slam Dunk Contest Odds & Picks
- College Basketball Odds, Picks & Predictions
- UFC 298 Preliminary Card Odds, Picks & Predictions
Cameron Lynch is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Cameron, check out his archive and follow him @captron26.