After a week off, I hope all the NBA players and all you bettors are rested up and ready to get back at it on Thursday. Twenty-four of the league’s teams are back in action tomorrow, including a big Western Conference showdown. Here are my NBA picks for February 22nd. Go here for the latest NBA odds.
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NBA Picks February 22nd
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
Tipoff – 8:00 pm EST
Spread: Thunder -2.5
Total: 239.5
The top game on Thursday’s NBA slate has to be the Los Angeles Clippers traveling to Oklahoma City to play the Thunder. It looks like these two teams will continue to be a part of the season-long dogfight for the top seed in the Western Conference, so this game is critical. Plus, you’ve got the league’s fourth-best home team taking on the league’s fourth-best away team. I’ll lean to the home Thunder to cover the 2.5 points for us, and I’m also taking the Under – the total is about five points too high in my estimation.
Best Bet: Thunder -2.5 (-109); Clippers/Thunder Under 239.5 (-111)
Houston Rockets vs. New Orleans Pelicans
Tipoff – 8:00 pm EST
Spread: Pelicans -7
Total: 227
These are two teams going in opposite directions. The Houston Rockets have lost five of their last six games, including losing by eight points to the lowly Memphis Grizzlies. The New Orleans Pelicans, on the other hand, have won seven of their last eight games. What is really sinking Houston is their record on the road, where they are a putrid 5-21. The Pelicans -7 is the play. No play on the total – it’s in the right range.
Best Bet: Pelicans -7 (-111)
If you’d like even more info to help make your NBA bets for February 15th, check out the NBA Gambling Podcast. They’re dropping episodes five days a week to make you the smartest guy/gal at the bar.
