NBA: Preview and Picks for Raptors vs Mavericks, Clippers vs Lakers Games on Feb 28

Big Game on the West Coast

We’ve been told that when it comes to sports betting in Ontario, the NBA’s Los Angeles Clippers and Los Angeles Lakers are among the more popular teams, along with the Toronto Raptors and Milwaukee Bucks. So, when the two L.A. teams meet head-to-head, that’s going to get the attention of those looking at sports betting. There’s that game tonight, plus the Raptors, winners of three straight, hosting the Dallas Mavericks. 

NBA Schedule: Game Details

Game 1: Raptors vs. Mavericks Insights

The Toronto Raptors (22-36, 12^th in the Eastern Conference) return home following a successful two-game road swing, including a big 130-122 win over the Indiana Pacers Monday night. Toronto is set for a four-game homestand that includes three visiting teams from the Western Conference starting with tonight’s game. Fourteen of the remaining 24 games will be played at home.

The Raptors, who shot 55.2% from the field Monday, had six players score 13+ points for the eighth time this season which tied for second-most such games in the NBA. Toronto has scored 120+ points in four straight games, tied for the longest streak this season.

The big question on the injury front this morning is the status of C Jakob Poeltl, who turned an ankle in the game against the Pacers. The Raptors are a different team with their starting centre in the lineup, that much is true. TSN reports today that Poeltl is questionable for tonight.

🏀 Bet on Raptors vs. Mavericks at DraftKings 🏀

Probable starters for tonight are SG RJ Barrett, SF Scottie Barnes, SG Gary Trent Jr., PG Immanuel Quickley, and likely Kelly Olynyk at centre if Poeltl sits. 

Players to watch out for on the Raptors: Barnes, who finished Monday with 21 points, 12 rebounds and a career-high tying 12 assists for his fourth triple-double of the season, marking a single-season franchise record for the Raptors, and rookie G Gradey Dick, who scored a career-high 11 points in the fourth quarter and finished with 18 points (7-9 FG, 4-4 3PT) Monday. Over his last nine games (Feb. 5-25), Dick is averaging 12.9 points in 21.2 minutes while shooting 59.2% (45-76) from the field, including 54.8% from beyond the arc.

The Mavs (33-25, 8^th in the Western Conference) come into Toronto losers of two games in a row and are 15-12 on the road. They have the league’s leading scorer, PG Luka Doncic, averaging 34.5 points per game. The Mavs are in a tight race in the West – four teams battling for two guaranteed playoff spots. They’re healthy, relatively speaking – G Dante Exum (knee) is the only question mark, although the Dallas Morning News reports there is a good chance he suits up tonight.

Player Props

If you’re into online betting, most bet player props according to DraftKings are Doncic Under 33.5 Points (1.80), Doncic Over 9.5 Assists (2.00), Doncic First Field Goal (6.00), Doncic Three Pointers Made Over 3.5 (1.60), and Barnes Over 7.5 Rebounds (1.63). 

On the BetRivers front, in terms of most wagered-on player props by percentage of money: Barnes over 7.5 rebounds (1.56, 2.7%); Barnes to record double-double (2.00, 1.3%), Barnes over 36.5 pts/rebs/asts (1.95, 1.3%). Most popular player props by percentage of total tickets: Barnes over 7.5 rebounds (1.56, 2.5%), Kyrie Irving over 22.5 points (1.28, 2.0%), Barnes over 36.5 pts/rebs/asts (1.95, 1.8%).

Game 2: Lakers vs. Clippers Insights

FanDuel this morning has the Lakers 2.18 to make the playoffs, 1.69 to miss out. They also have the Clippers (37-19, 4^th in the Western Conference) at 6.50 to be the No. 1 seed for the Western Conference, after the Oklahoma Thunder (2.50), Minnesota Timberwolves (2.80) and the Denver Nuggets (4.50).

Paul George won’t play tonight, out with a knee issue. After streaking through December and January (23-5), they’re 6-4 in February. 

🏀 Bet on Lakers vs. Clippers at FanDuel 🏀

The Lakers (31-28, 10^th in the Western Conference) really need this one.  LeBron James has been getting treatment on his ankle, ESPN reports, so the hope there is trainers can keep the ankle healthy enough to get them into the playoffs without missing time. He’s been averaging 25.0 points per game, 7.2 rebounds, 7.9 assists, and a 52.4 FG%. 

The two teams play out of the same arena, and this game is down as a Clippers home game.

Player Props

On the NBA betting front, most bet player props at DraftKings are Kawhi Leonard Over 25.5 Points (1.83), Leonard Over 6.5 Rebounds (1.74), Anthony Davis Over 24.5 Points (1.91), Austin Reaves Three Pointers Made Over 1.5 (1.77), LeBron James Over 6.5 Rebounds (1.80), James First Field Goal (8.00), and James Three Pointers Made Over 1.5 (1.74). 

And at BetRivers, in terms of most wagered-on player props by percentage of money: LeBron James over 6.5 rebounds (1.78, 11.9%); Norman Powell over 18.5 points (1.79, 9.7%), Ivica Zubac over 9.5 rebounds (1.76, 5.9%). Most popular player props by percentage of total tickets: James over 6.5 rebounds (1.78, 3.7%), James over 20.5 points (1.33, 2.2%), Anthony Davis over 20.5 points (1.30, 2.0%).

Our NBA Picks Today

While as fans of the Raptors, we’d like to see them make up the four games between themselves and the Atlanta Hawks for that last NBA Play-In Tournament spot, and also finish higher in the standings (thus giving up that Top 6 protected first round draft pick to the San Antonio Spurs in last year’s Poeltl trade; get that one off the books). 

So far this morning, 68% of spread bets are on the Mavs -2.5; and 62% of money bets are on the Mavs. We couldn’t agree more. Take the Mavs ATS at BetMGM.

For Lakers-Clippers, it’s Clippers ATS at 888 Sport. The Clippers are No. 10 in the NBA in PPG (117.6) while the Lakers are No. 18 in points allowed per game (117.4).