The NBA regular season resumes with a relatively light slate this Thursday, 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 today's matchups. Continue below for our NBA best bets and predictions for Thursday, February 13.
NBA Best Bets, Predictions, Picks, Odds: Thursday, February 13
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 8 p.m. | |
  | 8 p.m. | |
  | 8:30 p.m. | |
  | 8:30 p.m. | |
| 8 p.m. | |
  | 9 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. | ||
Warriors vs. Rockets
Since acquiring Jimmy Butler, the Golden State Warriors have opted to deploy small-ball lineups with more frequency.
In fact, the Dubs played Quinten Post and Kevon Looney for a combined 27 minutes in last night's game and their previous matchup against Milwaukee.
As a result, Butler has been relied upon to crash the glass in those two games, pulling down nine rebounds in each outing.
Houston is the top rebounding team (first in rebounding percentage) in the NBA, so Butler will undoubtedly be forced to hit the glass hard if Golden State wants a shot at keeping this game close.
Pick: Jimmy Butler Over 5.5 Rebounds (-114)
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Kings vs. Pelicans
By Royals Props
Rematch from last night where I’m targeting Keegan Murray, who should see a higher workload in this one
Murray finished the game just 1/5, and despite the low volume, I’m willing to back him tonight due to the matchup.
Over the last eight games, the Pelicans are the 2nd-worst catch-and-shoot defense, which is where Murray generates 50% of his scoring volume.
The Pelicans are also dead last in 3-point attempts allowed, which Murray can exploit.
Murray’s shooting splits increase slightly on the road this season, and with all of the focus on DeRozan, LaVine, Monk and company, Keegan should see plenty of open looks tonight from behind the arc.
After a 1/5 game, look for Keegan to bounce back.
Pick: Keegan Murray Over 11.5 Points (-105)
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Thunder vs. Timberwolves
By Joe Dellera
The Thunder and the Wolves both played yesterday and now OKC has to travel to Minnesota for this matchup.
I’m targeting Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who has been incredible on the season with this MVP caliber campaign. He is averaging 32.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 6.0 assists per game for OKC.
His points prop is set at 31.5, a number he’s cleared in 51% of games, but he has hit in 8 of his last 9 against Minnesota including a 40 point performance earlier this season. He has dominated this matchup.
Chet Holmgren may play in this one after resting yesterday. However, his minutes restriction is pretty significant.
So, while he has a slight negative impact on SGA’s points per 100, they do not play enough minutes together under this current rotation for it to have a major impact tonight.
I’ll grab over 31.5 and expect Shai to finish the last game before the break strong.
Pick: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Over 31.5 Points (-102)
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Heat vs. Mavericks
Kudos to the shorthanded Mavericks for upsetting the Warriors at home last night.
Dallas pulled out a straight-up win despite missing key frontcourt players Anthony Davis, Daniel Gafford and PJ Washington.
Dallas has only one player taller than 6-foot-8 available for this game, as those players all remain out.
Miami wants to stop the pain before going into All-Star break.
The Heat have lost three in a row, with the last two coming against the Thunder and Celtics.
This is a big drop in class for the Heat, who have moved on from Jimmy Butler.
Pick: Heat Moneyline (-120)
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Warriors vs. Rockets
This is a clear Rockets spot. The line currently sits at Rockets -6 with the Warriors reporting that Curry, Butler, and Draymond Green are uncertain to play today.
It is the second night of a road back to back for the Warriors, right prior to the All Star Weekend in San Francisco.
Curry has only played 33% (3 of 9) back to back spots this year, and I assume this will be a night off as well since he will need to be very active throughout All Star Weekend in the Bay.
The Rockets, on the other hand, are only sending Sengun, and their recent slide over the last two weeks should ramp up the urgency to win.
This line opened at -1 when we didn't know the injury news and has jumped up to 6 with the uncertainty. It will move to -8.5 or more if the Warriors are missing their guys, which will likely be the case.
Pick: Rockets -6 (-108)
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Clippers vs. Jazz
The Over has cashed in three straight games for the Clippers, producing combined scores of 242, 240 and 231 points, which rounds out a 6-1 Over run for LAC in their last seven contests.
The Over has hit in back-to-back head-to-head meetings between these clubs as well, including LA's 130-110 win over the Jazz this past Saturday that saw 240 combined points soar Over the 226-point total.
When these teams faced each other back on December 16, the Clippers won 144-107, with the 251 combined points easily going Over the 221.5-point tally.
The Jazz have also seen the total go Over the number in five straight games, with those combined scores netting 250, 245, 240, 262 and 259 points. All signs point toward another Over tonight.
Pick: Over 225 (-112)
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