NBA Expert Picks and Best Bets | February 8

Thursday’s NBA lineup doesn’t feature the biggest selection of games, but there’s nothing wrong with the matchups on tap. There are some games on the schedule that no fan will want to miss. In terms of basketball betting, we took a close look at every game on Thursday’s schedule and came up with our three favorite picks.

Grizzlies +5.5 | -110 at FanDuel

At times, the Bulls look like they could be a half decent team, but they’ve had too many ups and downs recently to trust them as a road favorite. To be fair, Chicago is 5-2 against the spread as a road favorite. However, the Bulls have also lost four of their last seven games, including losses in two of the last three games in which they’ve been favored. Zach LaVine’s absence is being felt while several other Bulls are battling injuries, which is enough of a reason to fade them in Memphis.

On the other side, the Grizzlies are nursing a six-game losing streak. Yet, Memphis is 4-2 against the spread during that streak and 7-2 against the spread in the team’s last nine games. That's oddly encouraging for a team that’s in the midst of a lost season. Obviously, the Grizzlies aren't at full strength right now either, but look for Memphis to put up a fight at home and keep this game close.

Bucks - 1 | -110 at BetMGM

Admittedly, it’s tough to get behind the Bucks these days. Doc Rivers hasn’t turned things around with Milwaukee coming off a 1-4 road trip. That being said, this is a toss-up game that the Bucks desperately need to win. They should be fired up after that road trip and get an edge from being at home. Milwaukee is 21-4 straight-up at home this season, tying them for the second-best home record in the NBA. Since they don’t have much of a spread to cover, this feels like a safe time to back the Bucks.

Meanwhile, the T’Wolves have looked a little shaky over the past week. They lost as a home favorite to the Magic last Friday and lost as a road favorite to the Bulls on Tuesday. That doesn’t inspire much confidence despite Minnesota having one of the best road records in the league. With things not clicking right now, the T’Wolves are going to be vulnerable on the road against a Milwaukee team that has some problems but is ultimately more talented.

Lakers ML | +146 at BetRivers

In the bigger picture, the Lakers aren’t in great shape. However, they’ve won three in a row and five of their last seven games, including road wins over the Celtics and the Knicks in the last week. That speaks highly of this aging team that understands that desperation time has arrived. They’ve had two days off and are coming home with plenty of momentum, making this a great opportunity for the Lakers to take down a good. 

Keep in mind the Nuggets are just 2-5-1 against the spread in their last eight games. They’ve also lost their last two road games. It’s also worth noting that Denver has the fifth-worst winning percentage as a road favorite, going just 12-8 straight-up and 6-13-1 against the spread. Needless to say, winning on the road has been a struggle for the Nuggets, making them vulnerable against a surging Laker team.