Another month in the books as the 2019 NBA season gets closer to the playoffs. It’s the end of Feb. with some key matchups for Thursday night.
Listed below are top free NBA picks, predictions and analysis for February 28, 2019 from our expert handicappers.
Click on a handicapper’s name for more of their NBA plays, subscriptions, season packages and records.
Brandon Lee
Minnesota Timberwolves @ Indiana Pacers
Thu, Feb 28 ’19, 7:05 PM ET
I’ll take my chances here with Indiana laying a short number at home against the Timberwolves. I think we are getting great value here with the Pacers, due to the fact that they come in having lost their last two against what most would view as sub-par teams in the Pistons and Mavs, while Minnesota has been a covering a machine, going 6-1 ATS over their last 7.
For me, I just trust the Pacers at home and both of those losses to Detroit and Dallas were on the road. Prior to that they had gone 5-1 over a 6-game homestand and the only loss came to the Bucks. Minnesota is 4-2 SU over their last 6, but the only road win during this stretch was against the Knicks. For the season the Timberwolves are 9-22 SU on the road.
These two played way back in October at Minnesota, which the Timberwolves won 101-91. That’s worth noting, as the Pacers are 14-3 ATS over the last 2 seasons when playing at home and revenging a road loss. Minnesota is also just 1-12 ATS last 13 road games after covering 3 of their last 4.
Pick: Pacers -3.5 (-104) at Pinnacle
Rob Vinciletti
Cleveland Cavaliers @ New York Knicks
Thu, Feb 28 ’19, 7:35 PM ET
The Cavs fit a solid 88% system in this game that plays on rested road teams with a 200+ total that failed to cover as a home dog at +5 or more vs an opponent like NY that covered as a 5+ home dog.
NY has failed to cover 12 of 15 vs losing teams, 8 of 10 with 1 day of rest and 9 of 10 at home vs .400 or less teams.
The Cavs have covered 4 of 5 off a spread loss and 7 straight on the road vs .400 or less teams and 4 of 5 here at the Garden. Look for the Cavs to get the cover.
Pick: Cavs +3 (-105) at Pinnacle
Dave Price
Philadelphia 76ers @ Oklahoma City Thunder
Thu, Feb 28 ’19, 8:05 PM ET
The Oklahoma City Thunder will be in a sour mood tonight when they host the Philadelphia 76ers. They have failed to cover 4 straight and have lost 3 of their last 4 outright with their only victory coming at home against the Jazz by a single point in overtime.
I think the price is now right to take the Thunder at home tonight. They host a Philadelphia 76ers team that they have owned over the years, and one that will now be without their best player in Joel Embiid.
The Thunder have won 19 straight meetings with the 76ers dating back to 2008. Oklahoma City is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 against Eastern Conference teams.
Philadelphia is 7-15 ATS in its last 22 road games against a team with a winning home record.
Pick: Thunder -4.5 (-110) at Mirage
John Martin
Miami Heat @ Houston Rockets
Thu, Feb 28 ’19, 8:05 PM ET
The Miami Heat have done their best work on the highway this season.They are 15-15 SU & 19-11 ATS on the road this year. And now they are catching 9.5 points against the Houston Rockets, which is too much.
Both the Rockets and Heat played last night, so the back-to-back cancels each other out.
The Heat are 21-7 ATS in road games off two straight home games over the last three seasons.
Houston is 6-18 ATS after scoring 115 points or more this season.
Miami is 20-6 ATS in its last 26 against Southwest Division teams.
The Heat are 23-10-1 ATS in their last 34 games when playing the 2nd of a back-to-back.
The Rockets are 1-6-1 ATS in their last eight against Eastern Conference teams.
Miami is 4-1 ATS in the last five meetings.
Pick: Heat +9.5 (-108) at Pinnacle
For more plays and predictions with analysis for Thursday, visit the free NBA picks and expert NBA picks pages.
