It’s Saturday, and the weekend is in full swing. We have a small slate of NBA games and bets today after back-to-back days of 10+ games. I will provide a few NBA player props, bets, and predictions for each game. Though we have just three games today, we still can win a few bucks.
Best NBA Props, Bets, and Predictions for February 24, 2024
Magic @ Pistons
Magic -8.0 (-110)
The Detroit Pistons are at the Little Caesar’s arena for the first time since Feb. 4th, where, interestingly, they faced the Orlando Magic. This will be the third meeting this season between both ballclubs, and the Magic are up 2-0 in the season series.
The Pistons started their recent road trip with wins against the Sacramento Kings and the Portland Trailblazers Trail Blazers. They would follow those wins up with losses and are currently on a four-game losing streak.
The Magic head into this game full of confidence after their victory on the road at Cleveland. That means they have won four of their last five games SU and covered the spread in four of their last five games.
In the two games these sides have faced this season, the Magic have won convincingly, covering the spread in both games and then some. The Magic are a bad matchup for most teams in the NBA with their length and ability to force teams to go on scoreless runs. The Pistons aren’t immune to this.
Also, the Pistons have acquired a lot of new talent following some roster moves at the trade deadline. It takes time for teams to gel on the court. The Magic have the advantage of continuity, as they barely made any moves at the deadline.
The Pistons will be without the suspended Isaiah Stewart, while Cade Cunningham and Quentin Grimes are game-time decisions. Only Markelle Fultz is listed as unavailable for the Magic.
While the Pistons have more shooting than the Magic, their defense is almost non-existent. That bodes well for this spread. Even if the game is close heading into the final minutes of the fourth quarter, with a medium spread of eight points, a few free throws will seal the deal for us. Give me Magic to cover the spread.
Franz Wagner Over 21.5 Points (-125)
This number is around Franz Wagner’s average for the season (20.9 PPG). He has covered this number twice already this season against the Pistons. Wagner and Paolo Banchero are mismatches for Detroit with their size.
The Pistons don’t have wings strong enough to guard them or bigs agile enough to keep up with them. Also, with Banchero being an All-Star now, he will get the most defensive attention. That will give Wagner more room to operate.
Celtics @ Knicks
Over 223.5 (-112)
The New York Knicks are undermanned but should not be underestimated. The Knicks, after their incredible trade deadline, have planted themselves firmly in the title-contending conversation.
With the addition of Bojan Bogdanovic and Alec Burks, the Knicks have given their bench a huge scoring boost. The Boston Celtics are favorites against almost all opponents in the league, but the Knicks will fancy their chances against them at Madison Square Garden.
The crowd will be electric for this game, which will galvanize this Knicks team to keep it close.
These teams have already faced three times this season, and the Celtics are 3-0 in the series. The Celtics have won the last four meetings. Though there is one more game left between these two teams after this game, the Knicks will be keen to avoid the sweep.
The over is 1-2 in their matchup this season, though the last game went over. Both teams are 3-2 over their last five games in favor of the over. The Knicks know that for them to stand a chance against the Celtics, they will need to score in bunches, so expect to see elite shot-making from both sides.
The Knicks are still without Mitchell Robinson, Julius Randle and OG Anunoby, while the Celtics have a clean bill of health. This factors into our over bet because these missing players set the tone for the Knicks defensively. Give me the over in a potential classic at MSG.
Bojan Bogdanovic over 14.5 points (-120)
We already know the Knicks are missing key players, especially a premier scoring threat in Randle. While it will be tempting to pick Jalen Brunson’s points to go over, it will be a risky venture. He will have Jrue Holiday and Derrick White guarding him throughout the game. Welcome to Hell’s Kitchen.
So, the value lies in projecting who will be the Knicks’ second scoring option on the night. In their last game, Bogdanovic finished with a team-high 22 points on 13 shot attempts. He has cleared 15 points in two of his three games for the Knicks. He will have a spot-up role in this game, which figures perfectly into this prop bet.
Nets @ Timberwolves
Timberwolves -8.5 (-108)
In the final game of the evening, the Brooklyn Nets will head to Target Center to take on the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Timberwolves are having a sensational year, tied at the top of the Western Conference with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Timberwolves are desperate to finish as the first seed, something they have done only once in their history (2003-04). They can’t afford to drop many games if they hope to achieve that.
This will be the second and last meeting of the regular season between these two teams, and the Timberwolves will be aiming for the sweep. The Nets covered the spread in a tight affair in the first meeting.
This pick is pretty obvious. The Nets are poor travelers, winning just eight times all season. And when they lose, they usually get blown out.
The Timberwolves head into this game after a close loss to the Bucks at home. The Nets got blown away by the Raptors in Toronto and are on a three-game losing streak. While it is a back-to-back for the Timberwolves, fatigue will not be as big an issue because both games are in Minnesota.
We’re picking a Timberwolves team with title aspirations to beat a Nets team low on confidence. While I usually worry about a backdoor cover, the Timberwolves are a great defensive team, so I’m confident about this pick. Give me the Timberwolves to lay an emphatic win on the retooling Nets.
Cam Thomas Over 19.5 Points (-105)
We are picking a volume scorer to score; it’s an easy bet, right? This is below Cam Thomas’ season average (21.1), probably because he’s going up against the league’s best defense.
He passed this mark in three of his last five games when these teams faced earlier.
While there’s the potential of a blowout by the Timberwolves, I’m not concerned about that affecting his points overlay. Thomas will get his own. Even if inefficient, he finds ways to put points on the board.
Good luck with all your NBA bets, and play responsibly.
Odds courtesy of DraftKings as of approximately 11:00 a.m. EST on February 24th.
