NBA: Preview and Picks for Feb. 22

It’s a busy night on the NBA schedule, as teams get back at it after the All-Star break. Boston looks like the runaway favourite in the Eastern Conference, with the Minnesota Timberwolves, L.A. Clippers, Oklahoma Thunder and Denver Nuggets battling it out in the Western Conference. We look at three games to check out tonight, including the hometown Toronto Raptors.

NBA schedule: Game details

Game 1: Raptors vs. Nets Insights

The Raptors (19-36) begin their post All-Star break with back-to-back home games, starting tonight against the Nets (21-33). Tomorrow night they play the Atlanta Hawks. Scottie Barnes is coming off his first NBA All-Star selection, having been named an injury replacement for the Eastern Conference. Since being acquired from New York on Dec. 30, RJ Barrett is averaging a team-high 20.5 points while shooting .549 (151-275) from the field and .366 (26-71) from three-point range. 

🏀 Bet on Raptors vs. Nets at DraftKings 🏀

The Nets are eleventh in the Eastern Conference and have lost two in a row. The team fired head coach Jacque Vaughn Tuesday night. The team has gone 6-18 since Christmas.

No real injuries to report for each team. Probable starters for the Raptors are SG Barrett, SF Barnes, C Jakob Poeltl, SG Immanuel Quickley, and SG Gary Trent Jr.

Player Props

If you’re into online betting, most bet player props for this game are Poeltl Under on Points (12.5, 1.85), Mikal Bridges to Score 35+ Points (11.00), and Trent Jr. Over on Points (10.5, 2.00), according to FanDuel. 

At BetMGM, Quickley Under 6.5 Assists (1.72), Poeltl Under 12.5 Points (1.80), and Barrett Over 6.5 Rebounds (1.95) are leading the way.

Game 2: Clippers vs. Thunder Insights

The L.A. Clippers (36-17) are in control in the Pacific Division, four games ahead of the Phoenix Suns, but are half-a-game back of the Thunder (37-17) for second place in the Western Conference. The last time these teams played, the Clippers win 128-117. The Thunder have won four straight at home.

🏀 Bet on Clippers vs. Thunder at FanDuel 🏀

No injuries reported for the Clippers this morning. Same with the Thunder. Canadians of course have a vested interest in following Thunder PG Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, averaging 31.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, 6.5 assists and a 54.6 FG% this season. He had 32 points in the Thunder’s last game – a 127-11 win over the Orlando Magic Feb. 13.

Player Props

On the NBA sports betting front, most bet player props according to FanDuel are Paul George to Score 20+ Points (1.50), Russell Westbrook to Score 10+ Points (1.59), and Kawhi Leonard to Score 25+ Points (1.91). 

At BetMGM, it’s Harden Over 13.5 Assists + Rebounds (1.95), Harden Under 2.5 Three-Pointers (2.10), and Chet Holmgren Over 14.5 Points (1.78).

Game 3: Knicks vs. 76ers Insights

The Knicks (33-22) have been dropping of late, losers of four in a row. Injuries are the story there – SF OG Anunoby, who had right elbow surgery Feb. 8, and C Mitchell Robinson (ankle) are out, as is PF Julius Randle, with ESPN reporting today that surgery for that injured shoulder isn’t out of the question. SF Bojan Bogdanovic is listed as probable for tonight according to ESPN, as is C Isaiah Hartenstein. Head coach Tom Thibodeau said yesterday he is optimistic Hartenstein, Bogdanovic, and SG Donte DiVincenzo (hamstring) will play, according to Sportsnet.

🏀 Bet on Knicks vs. 76ers at DraftKings 🏀

With the 76ers (32-22), the storyline on the injury front is C Joel Embiid, expected to be out at least another six weeks after knee surgery. PF Robert Covington (knee) and SG De’Anthony Melton (back) are all listed as out this morning for tonight’s game. PF Nicolas Batum (hamstring) is questionable. The Sixers could get a lift after signing PG Kyle Lowry. PF Tobias Harris (hip) wasn’t listed on yesterday’s injury report, so he appears to be playing tonight.

The 76ers sit half-a-game back of the Knicks in the Eastern Conference. 

Player Props

At FanDuel, Jalen Brunson to Score 25+ Points (1.26), DiVincenzo to Score 20+ Points (1.80) and Buddy Hield to Score 20+ Points (2.55) are most bet player props.

At BetMGM, Josh Hart Over 7.5 Rebounds (1.65) and Hartenstein Over 11.5 Assists + Rebounds (1.90) are most bet player props. According to DraftKings, Hartenstein Over 8.5 Rebounds (1.63) is a player prop generating a lot of interest. 

Our NBA Picks Today

The Clippers, winners of seven road games in a row, at +1.5 - take the Clippers ATS. With the Knicks and 76ers, the PG Jalen Brunson versus PG Tyrese Maxey showdown is going to be fun, and it’s going to be tight, but we like the 76ers on home court. Take Philadelphia ATS.

According to NorthStar Bets, the Under is the best play for the Raptors at home tonight. We concur. Two poor offences going head-to-head. The two teams had just 218 total points the last time they met.