The NBA regular season resumes with another excellent slate this Friday, with a total of 9 matchups on the docket scheduled for today. So, our staff of basketball betting experts dug into the latest odds and identified all the best value on the board.
Our betting experts have looked over the odds and made 7 NBA picks for today's contests. Continue below for our NBA best bets and predictions for Friday, February 21.
NBA Best Bets, Predictions, Picks, Odds: Friday, February 21
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 7 p.m. | |
  | 8:30 p.m. | |
  | 7 p.m. | |
  | 8:30 p.m. | |
  | 10 p.m. | |
  | 7:30 p.m. | |
  | 9:30 p.m. | |
Specific betting recommendations come from the sportsbook offering preferred odds as of writing. Always shop for the best price using our NBA Odds page, which automatically surfaces the best lines for every game. | ||
Grizzlies vs. Magic
On Friday, Jaren Jackson Jr. and the Memphis Grizzlies will be on the second night of a road back-to-back.
Even worse, Triple-J goes from an advantageous matchup against a smaller Indiana frontcourt to one of the league's toughest matchups for power forwards (Orlando).
The Magic have held opposing power forwards to the second-fewest points in the NBA, with Franz Wagner, Paolo Banchero, and Jonathan Isaac all having elite positional size and strength.
If Orlando opts to alternate Banchero and Isaac on JJJ throughout the game, it could be tough sledding for the two-time All-Star.
Pick: Jaren Jackson Jr. Under 20.5 Points (-110)
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Pelicans vs. Mavericks
By Joe Dellera
The Pelicans face off against the Mavericks tonight in their return to action following the All-Star Break.
Dallas continues to survive while being extremely thin on the interior after injuries to Anthony Davis, Daniel Gafford, and Dereck Lively.
This sets up well for Zion Williamson.
Zion has been a wrecking ball when healthy this season. He is averaging 24.4 ppg in 28 minutes. He was even better over his last 10 with a 26.5 ppg scoring average.
Without both Dejounte and Brandon Ingram, his scoring jumps, and that’s a significant factor in this scoring rise of late.
Without both of them, he is right in line with that 26.5 average.
Zion is extremely well-rested for this one coming off the All-Star break, so I expect him to have fresh legs and put on a show.
Pick: Zion Williamson Over 23.5 Points (-110)
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Knicks vs. Cavaliers
The Knicks weren't playing at top speed like they were before the All-Star break, when they scored at a 128 ppg clip their previous six games, but they still managed to squeeze by the Bulls in OT last night.
That makes it 10 wins in 12 for New York, and as usual, Karl-Anthony Towns (32 more points last night; 39 ppg across last three) and Jalen Brunson (22 points) led the charge, so the main hands are on deck for Tom Thibodeau.
The Cavs have won five straight and eight of nine themselves, but they were involved in a scrap at Brooklyn last night, not putting away the Nets until the 4th quarter.
A much tougher test awaits tonight. Take the points with the Knicks.
Pick: Knicks +8.5 (-110)
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Pistons vs. Spurs
Often a team suffers a letdown in their second game after losing a superstar following winning initially. I believe that's going to be the case with the Spurs in their game tonight against the Pistons.
San Antonio gave an inspired, gutty performance in upsetting the Suns on Thursday after learning Victor Wembanyama would be out for the rest of the season because of deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder.
All Wembanyama was doing was averaging 24.3 points, 11.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists while leading the league in blocked shots with 3.8 per game. Keep in mind, too, that Charles Bassey, who is Wembanyama's backup, has missed the last six games with a knee injury.
Also note that the Spurs defeated Phoenix in Austin not San Antonio. The game tonight also will be in Austin.
It takes two, though, to make the right handicap. The key question is have the Pistons improved enough this season to justify laying mid-range points with them on the road?
I'm going to say yes. The Pistons enter this matchup with a season-best four-game win streak. Their 29-26 record at this point of the season is their best mark in seven years. Only six teams have had a better record than the Pistons since Dec. 21.
Detroit is 18-9 during its past 27 games, registering the fifth-best defensive rating and nine-best offensive ranking during this time span. San Antonio, by comparison, is 24-29 and has lost 13 of its last 19 games.
The wild card is Detroit last played nine days ago. The Pistons went into All-Star break riding a lot of confidence and optimism. I have to trust that JB Bickerstaff will have the Pistons ready to play to keep their momentum going.
Pick: Pistons -4.5 (-110)
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Warriors vs. Kings
Domantas Sabonis has put up 22-13-7 and 26-18-3 this season against the Warriors, and will be starting across Draymond Green and or Quentin Post.
It's a favorable matchup against a team without a formidable center, and who likely won't be able to stop him on the glass, in particular.
Plus, there's only but so much you can do to negate his offense with Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan and Malik Monk also on the roster.
I like this at over 39.5 as well if it moves.
Pick: Domantas Sabonis Over 37.5 Points + Rebounds + Assists (-115)
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Heat vs. Raptors
By Kyle Murray
This number seems a bit too high, and although Herro's assist numbers are up over his last 10 games, he's still averaging 5.5 assists per game this season.
This game has a low total of over/under 221, and the Raptors are allowing the 4th-fewest potential assists per game to opposing guards this season.
I'll back Herro to stay under 6.5 assists.
Pick: Tyler Herro Under 6.5 Assists (-130)
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Timberwolves vs. Rockets
The Houston Rockets are now getting healthy after the first half of the season, when injuries were seen up and down the roster.
The Rockets won two of their last three games and may have the services of their starting point guard, Fred Van Fleet.
The Minnesota Timberwolves have a list of injuries and are sweating over superstar Anthony Edwards' fitness ahead of their clash with the host Houston Rockets on Friday night.
Edwards' status is day-to-day after he was a last-minute withdrawal from last weekend's All-Star Game with groin tightness. Rudy Gobert and Julius Randle are also banged up.
Despite the injuries, the Rockets are in 4th place in the Western Conference. The Rockets are 17-9 on their home court, and they are allowing just 105 points per game.
The improved health of the Rockets and the deteriorating health of the Wolves will be the difference in this game. Lay the points with Houston.
Pick: Rockets -4 (-110)
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