With five games on the NBA slate for today, there are plenty of opportunities to consider on DraftKings Sportsbook.
Here’s a look at the full NBA schedule for today’s games (all times Eastern):
- Knicks at Hawks, 3 p.m.
- Grizzlies at Pistons, 7 p.m.
- Timberwolves at 76ers, 7 p.m.
- Bucks at Heat, 8 p.m.
- Mavericks at Clippers, 10:30 p.m.
Hawks +3.5 (-115)
The Knicks have been playing well without Jalen Brunson, but the star guard is close to returning. Brunson practiced on Friday ahead of the game against the Hawks, though it’s unclear whether he will play in both games of this back-to-back. Despite going 8-6 without him, the Knicks are coming off a tough loss to Cleveland. If Brunson returns to action, New York will look to bounce back, but Atlanta (36-40) will be tough to beat, especially at home. The Hawks are just one game behind Orlando for the final play-in spot in the East, and they have shown flashes of strong performances. In their most recent game, Atlanta lost 120-118 to the Mavericks despite a 25-point effort from Trae Young.
Atlanta has a good shot at covering this spread at home. With the Knicks’ vulnerability without Brunson, plus Atlanta’s recent solid play, especially from Onyeka Okongwu (who’s been on a strong double-double streak), this +3.5 spread is a favorable option.
Pistons +2.5 (-108)
The Grizzlies are coming off a strong 110-108 win over Miami, but they face a tough challenge against Detroit, a team that recently secured its playoff spot with a victory over Toronto. The Pistons have been one of the most improved teams this season, and while they’ve been successful without Cade Cunningham (calf injury), he’s now probable to return from a six-game absence today. The Pistons are still playing at a high level with Tim Hardaway Jr. and Jalen Duren stepping up.
Despite Cunningham’s absence, Detroit has continued to be resilient, and the defense has been one of the best in the league since January 1. The Grizzlies have a solid roster, but with Morant continuing to deal with his challenges, this game could be more competitive than expected. The Pistons’ strong defense and rebounding, led by Duren, should help them cover the +2.5 spread.
76ers +16 (-108)
The Timberwolves are on a four-game winning streak as they travel to Philadelphia to face a team decimated by injuries. The 76ers are without their star player Tyrese Maxey (finger injury) and have struggled mightily without Joel Embiid, who is out for the season due to knee surgery. Despite the absence of their key players, Philadelphia has seen some bright spots, with Adem Bona putting up career-high numbers and Quentin Grimes continuing to provide consistent scoring. But, this game could turn into a blowout with the Timberwolves locked into a tight race for playoff seeding and facing a weakened 76ers team. With Minnesota’s offense firing on all cylinders, notably from Anthony Edwards, covering a 16-point spread is likely.
Philadelphia is expected to struggle against a Timberwolves team with a deep and talented roster, and the +16 spread offers solid value on the 76ers despite their injuries.
Bucks +1 (-112)
The Bucks are coming off a thrilling 126-113 win over Philadelphia thanks to 35 points, 20 assists, and 17 rebounds from Giannis Antetokounmpo. They’ll face the Heat, who have been on a strong run of their own, winning six straight games before suffering a tough loss to Memphis. Miami’s defense has been solid, ranking fourth in the league for defensive rating in victories, but the Bucks’ offensive firepower with Antetokounmpo playing at such a high level will be a challenge. While the Heat have been solid defensively, the Bucks are outpacing them offensively and have been dominant against teams with similar defensive ratings. The Bucks also aim for a four-game season sweep having won the first three matchups by solid margins.
Miami will have to slow down Antetokounmpo to keep the game competitive. The Bucks’ overall depth and recent momentum make them the better pick to cover the +1 spread here.
Clippers -8 (-110)
After a dominant 114-91 win over Dallas on Friday, the Clippers are poised to continue their strong play at home as they host the Mavericks again on Saturday. The Clippers have won 10 of their last 12 games and have been playing some of their best basketball. Kawhi Leonard and James Harden have been leading the charge, with solid support from Ivica Zubac and Norman Powell. Dallas has been struggling with injuries to key players. Anthony Davis was sidelined on Friday, and it’s unclear if he’ll play to wrap up the back-to-back. Klay Thompson was ruled out mid-game due to illness on Friday, while Jaden Hardy injured his ankle late. Dereck Lively II’s status will be one to monitor as well. The Mavericks’ lack of depth and missing key players exposed them in the first game, and it’s unlikely they’ll be able to cover the +8 spread in the second matchup in two days.
The Clippers’ recent momentum, combined with Dallas’ injuries, makes them more likely to cover the spread and secure another win at home.
