NBA Odds, Picks & Predictions: Saturday (2/8)
The National Basketball Association (NBA) has 11 total games on the schedule Saturday, as the schedule is frontloaded this weekend with the NBA clearing things out Sunday evening so as not to go up against Super Bowl LIX. We have two matinee games, including a battle between the Indiana Pacers and Los Angeles Lakers at 4 p.m. ET on ESPN. On the evening slate, two games tip off at 7 p.m. ET, and the rest tip off at 8 p.m. ET or later. We’ll focus on those evening games to give you a little more time to formulate your wagers. The Boston Celtics and New York Knicks tip off at 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC/ESPN+, too.
Let’s get that bankroll in the black with our best NBA picks for Saturday, February 8.
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Saturday’s Best NBA Picks
NBA odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook | All NBA picks are for 1 unit
San Antonio Spurs (+128) at Orlando Magic (-152) | O/U 218.5 (-110/-110)
The Spurs (22-27) and Magic (25-28) meet at Kia Center in Orlando on Saturday night at 7 p.m. ET.
San Antonio is making the fourth stop on a six-game road trip. The Spurs were on the short end of a stunning 117-116 loss against the Charlotte Hornets on Friday night, failing as a 9.5-point favorite. The Spurs have dropped three of the past four games, and they’re 0-3 against the spread (ATS) on the trip so far. The Over has cashed in each of the past two games, averaging 121.0 points per game (PPG) on offense, while allowing at least 117 points in each of the three games so far.
A potential game-winning shot by newcomer De’Aaron Fox came too late in Charlotte, but he still ended up with 22 points, six assists and four steals with two 3-pointers. He was a nice secondary scoring option to Stephon Castle, who tore it up with 33 points on 10-of-15 shooting, including three triples. Victor Wembanyama was up to his usual solid play, as well, posting 16 points with 11 rebounds for the double-double, while Jeremy Sochan also had 11 points and 12 rebounds off the bench.
The Magic wrapped up a road trip in the Mile High City with a 112-90 loss against the Denver Nuggets, not even coming close as six-point underdogs as the Under (217.5) cashed. Orlando was 1-5 SU/ATS on the six-game trip while cashing low on the total in four of the past five outings.
Orlando is 1-9 SU in the past 10 tries against Western Conference teams while going 1-8-1 ATS in that span. The Under is 9-1 in the past 10 games against Western Conference teams, too, while going 7-3 in the past 10 games overall.
For San Antonio, it is 2-2 SU in the past four against Eastern Conference foes, while going 2-2 ATS in those games. The Over is 10-2 in the past 12 games for the Spurs while cashing at a 6-1 pace in the past seven against Eastern Conference foes.
Let’s back the Spurs to get the job done outright, despite the fact they’re playing on no rest. We’ll go high on the Over, too.
Picks: San Antonio Spurs Moneyline (+126) & Over 218.5 Points (-110)
Boston Celtics (-142) at New York Knicks (+120) | O/U 232 (-110/-110)
The Celtics (36-16) and the Knicks (34-17) will meet at Madison Square Garden at 8:30 p.m. ET, and it can be viewed or streamed on ABC/ESPN+.
In the first meeting this season, Boston routed New York 132-109 at TD Garden as a 6-point favorite while the Over (221.5) cashed. The Celtics have won five of the past six meetings while going 4-1-1 ATS in the span. The Over has cashed in three of the past four in the series, too.
Boston is looking to rebound after a 127-120 loss to the shorthanded Dallas Mavericks last time out despite being favored by 12 points. The Over (232.5) cashed in that one, and the total has ended up going high in three of the past four games, and five of the previous seven contests. While the B’s have won four of the past five outings, the Celtics are 1-3 ATS in the previous four contests.
New York has won back-to-back games at home against the Houston Rockets and on the road against the Toronto Raptors. They’ve averaged 122.5 PPG in the past two games while allowing 116.5 PPG in the span. The Over is on a 5-1 run in the past six games for the Knicks, with New York posting at least 121 points in five of those contests. They’ve allowed 112 or more points in four in a row, too.
Confidence would have been much higher on backing Boston, if not for the shocking loss to Dallas last time out. While New York’s offense has been impressive lately, it hasn’t been able to solve the C’s in the past couple of seasons. Until the Knicks are able to tick off a few wins against the Celtics, keep backing Boston. Let’s go high on the total based on the trends too.
Pick: Boston Celtics -2.5 (-108) & Over 232 Points (-110)
Daniel E. Dobish is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Daniel, check out his archive and follow him @danieledobish.