It’s Wednesday, and the week is in full swing. The NBA has a slate of six games today. With so much action, I’ve got you covered with the best NBA bets for February 28 to get you a little richer while you enjoy the games.
Best NBA Bets For February 28, 2024
Pelicans @ Pacers
Over 239 (-110)
The New Orleans Pelicans travel to Indianapolis to take on the Indiana Pacers in the first meeting of a two-game series.
The Pacers are the team with the second-best pace in the league. The Pelicans are a slower, more methodical team, ranking 17th in pace.
The Pacers lost their previous game at home to the rebuilding Toronto Raptors. The Pelicans beat an injury-riddled New York Knicks on the road. This will be the second game of a back-to-back for the Pelicans.
Doug McDermott is listed as out for this game, and Aaron Nesmith is a game-time decision for the Pacers. The Pelicans could welcome back CJ McCollum, who is a game-time decision. Jose Alvarado will serve the final game of his suspension, and Dyson Daniels will miss this game with a knee injury.
The Pelicans are willing to match tempos with the faster teams in the NBA on the second nights of back-to-backs. The Pacers are notorious for hosting track meets at home, ranking fourth in the league in fastbreak points scored and 22nd in opponents’ fastbreak points.
The Pacers have scored at least 122 points in seven of their last nine games, and their games have cleared this number in eight of those games.
Over their last 11 games on the road, when facing teams that have a pace of at least 100, the Pelicans have scored at least 114 points in those five games. They have scored 120 points in three of those five games, and those three games have cleared the total set for this game.
This game will be close. Bet the over in a high-scoring match at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Mavericks @ Raptors
Over 237 (-110)
The retooling Toronto Raptors come into this game on a three-game win streak. The Dallas Mavericks travel to Toronto reeling from their close loss last night to the Cleveland Cavaliers off a Max Strus buzzer-beater from 59 feet.
This will be the final meeting of the season series between these two teams. The first meeting was a win on the road for the Raptors. The final score of that game cleared this game’s total easily.
The Mavericks could welcome back Dante Exum, who is a game-time decision. The Raptors could welcome back Jakob Poeltl, who is a doubt for this game.
The Raptors have scored at least 121 points in four straight games. The Mavericks have scored at least 118 points in five of their last seven road games.
They lead the NBA in fastbreak points scored (18.7). This number has swollen to 32.0 in their last three games. Dallas is eighth in the NBA in fastbreak points and 27th in opponent’s fastbreak points.
Both teams rank in the top five in the NBA in pace over the last five games, each averaging over 119 points per game.
Bet on this NBA game to be a high-scoring track meet.
Cavaliers @ Bulls
Cavaliers -5.0 (-110)
Morale will be high in the Cavaliers locker room after their close win against the Mavericks at home. That was the second win in a row and their third in five games.
The Chicago Bulls lost convincingly to the Detroit Pistons at home. It was their fourth loss in their last six and their fourth in their last five at home.
This will be the final game of their four-game season series, and the Cavaliers will be looking to extend their win streak against their division rivals to nine. The Cavaliers are 2-1 against the spread in the series.
There are no new injuries for either side, but the Bulls have as many as four players in the treatment room. Both teams will be playing on the second night of a back-to-back.
This is a straightforward NBA bet. The Cavaliers have lost just three times on the road over the last two months. In this span of 11 wins, they have covered the spread eight times. Two of the three times they didn’t cover the spread, the number was a double-digit spread. During this run, they have won seven games by double digits.
Bet on the Cavaliers to cover this small spread on the road.
Grizzlies @ Timberwolves
Under 209.5 (-110)
The Minnesota Timberwolves host the Memphis Grizzlies in the second game of their homestand. It’s also the second night of a back-to-back.
The Timberwolves defeated the San Antonio Spurs to record their sixth win in seven games. It was their fourth win in six at home.
The Grizzlies head into this game on a two-game losing skid. They have won only two of their last 13, losing four in a row on the road.
The Grizzlies continue to have a lengthy injury list, with the team missing Ja Morant, Brandon Clarke, Desmond Bane, Marcus Smart, and Luke Kennard. John Konchar is a doubt for this game. Karl-Anthony Towns is also a doubt to miss his second straight game. Kyle Anderson is also a doubt.
The Timberwolves have played the most games since the league resumed the All-Star break, and I expect all that fatigue to catch up to them in this game.
Over the last five games, the Grizzlies have scored less than 100 points in three outings. Mind you, this was during a homestand. Things will get tougher on the road, especially against teams like the Timberwolves.
The Timberwolves are the top-ranked team in the league in most defensive metrics like defensive rating and defensive efficiency. The Grizzlies are a hard-nosed, gritty team, ranking 11th in the league in those stats.
Over the last five games, these teams rank in the bottom 10 in pace, with the Grizzlies being dead last.
With the sheer number of absentees for the Grizzlies, it’s hard to see them putting up points on the board. The Timberwolves will most likely rest Towns, and that’s a huge loss for them offensively.
I won’t be surprised to see both teams shoot in the sub-40s from the field. Bet on a low-scoring affair at Target Center.
Good luck with your bets.
Odds courtesy of DraftKings as of approximately 11:00 a.m. EST on February 28th. These are for entertainment purposes only and by no means a guarantee. Wager responsibly.
