The NBA regular season resumes with a relatively light slate this Sunday, with a total of only 5 matchups on the docket scheduled for today. However, our staff of basketball betting experts still dug into the latest odds and identified all the best value on the board.
Our betting experts have looked over the odds and made 6 NBA picks for today's matchups. Continue below for our NBA best bets and predictions for Sunday, February 2.
NBA Best Bets, Predictions, Picks, Odds: Sunday, February 2
Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
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3:30 p.m. | ||
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6 p.m. | ||
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8:30 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. |
Mavericks vs. Cavaliers
By Alex Hinton
For the second time in his career, Darius Garland was named as an All-Star on Thursday night. He validated the nod with 26 points and seven assists on 11-for-20 from the field against the Hawks. Garland is averaging 21.8 points and 6.8 assists for the season.
Over the last 10 games, Garland has bumped those averages to 24.8 points and 7.1 assists. He has been at the controls of a Cavaliers offense that leads the league in offensive rating and ranks second in points per game.
Cleveland scored 134 points in its last game against Dallas and I like them to get close again after scoring 125 points in four of its last five games.
In that first meeting, Garland had 16 points and nine assists. However, he enters this rematch with 20 points and six assists in nine of his last 10 games.
Dallas is allowing 24.9 points and 8.5 assists per game to point guards this season. It was just carved up by Cade Cunningham for 40 points on Friday night.
With Cavaliers having more firepower, Garland will not need to score 40 points today. However, he has consistently gotten to 20 points (63% hit rate) and six assists (72% hit rate) this season.
At -106, we may be getting a steal given Garland's consistency.
Same Game Parlay: Darius Garland 20+ Points / 6+ Assists (-106)
Clippers vs. Raptors
The Clippers come into Toronto having won their last two road games (and four of five), and will bring two former Raptors stars from their lone championship season back in 2019.
Kawhi Leonard and Norman Powell were key contributors for that squad, with Leonard leaving for Los Angeles after one season.
The Clippers won the only meeting this season at home in early November, winning by a score of 105-103 as 6-point favorites.
Meanwhile, (sort of Rocky & Bullwinkle-ish) 'Hokey Smoke' Toronto just has just had a 5-game winning streak end at the hands of Chicago 122-106 Friday night, which was their longest streak of the season.
The Raptors had won 7-of-8 before getting gored by the Bulls, but they are still on the upswing as players are maturing on the floor while others are returning to action after stints on the injured list. Take Toronto.
Pick: Raptors +6 (-115)
Grizzlies vs. Bucks
By Joe Dellera
The Bucks face off against the Grizzlies on Sunday night in what should be a thrilling game between two of the league’s best teams.
The Grizzlies play at the league’s fastest Pace and Milwaukee is 11th, so there should be plenty of possessions in this game.
While the Grizzlies have the seventh-best defense in the league, they allow opportunities from midrange and the rim, which is where Giannis Antetokounmpo thrives.
Giannis has now scored over 31.5 points in 7 of his last 10 games, and in the one matchup against Memphis this season he scored 37.
Zach Edey is not polished enough, and Jaren Jackson Jr. runs the risk of foul trouble too much to be deployed 1-on-1 vs. Giannis.
He’s averaging 31.8 points per game on the season, and even against a tough defense, he should be able to score.
I’ll grab him to exceed 31.5 points in a fast-paced game.
Pick: Giannis Antetokounmpo Over 31.5 Points (-125)
Celtics vs. 76ers
Boston has not been displaying championship form the past couple of weeks, pushed to the brink by the lowly Pels on Friday, and also dumped by the Lakers and Rockets within the preceding 10 days.
The Celtics also have just four ATS covers in their last 12 games.
Meanwhile, the Sixers seem to be playing happy without their surly pair of Joel Embiid and Paul George, who are both currently sidelined, though each were on the floor when Philly scored a surprise win at TD Garden on Christmas Day.
Now, Philly enters on a five-game ATS win streak, winning outright in four of those, with Tyrese Maxey picking up the slack for no George or Embiid, hitting for 42 (vs Denver) and 43 (vs Lakers) points within the last three games. I'll take the points with the Sixers.
Pick: 76ers +11 (-110)
Grizzlies vs. Bucks
After an oblique injury and a brief rough stretch, Desmond Bane has returned to his fringe All-Star form for the Grizzlies.
Over his past 19 games, Bane has shot 53.4% from the field and 43.8% from behind the arc. Talk about incredible efficiency.
With Morant missing quite a few games in that span, Bane has taken on an even bigger offensive load.
In fact, Bane has averaged 23.3 points in his last eight games without Morant, scoring at least 20 points in all eight of those outings.
Now, Bane and company will be taking on the Bucks, a team that has allowed opposing shooting guards to score the sixth-most points per game.
I expect Bane to have a substantial offensive usage rate in this game, as Jaren Jackson Jr. will have a tough matchup against Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Pick: Desmond Bane 20+ Points (-150)
Grizzlies vs. Bucks
I'm attracted to the better team getting points, especially when the situation and statistical matchup favor the underdog.
That's the case in this matchup where the Grizzlies try to make it seven straight wins against the Bucks. Memphis blew out Milwaukee by a score of 122-99 at home back in late-October in the first meeting between these teams this season.
The Bucks showed fatigue getting blown out by the Spurs two days ago. That was the conclusion of a four-game, seven-day road trip for Milwaukee.
The Bucks had to fly back for this home game, and they will take off for Oklahoma City to play the Thunder on Monday. So the Bucks' focus and concentration might not be fully there tonight.
Memphis is one of the most well-rounded teams in the league, ranking fifth on offense and seventh defensively.
The Grizzlies also hold a rebounding edge on the Bucks. Milwaukee will be without Bobby Portis, its second-leading rebounder. That's good news for Memphis big men Jaren Jackson Jr. and Zach Edey.