NBA Best Bets: Basketball Picks, Predictions, Odds to Consider on DraftKings Sportsbook for February 24

The NBA is the Wild West right now given COVID-19 and the league’s health protocols, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t edges to be had. We sit at 41-32 on the season for article plays, following a 2-1 Monday. Here are some plays that stand out on Wednesday.

Follow along on Twitter — @julianedlow — for what we hope to be another great season, as some plays jump out late due to news, particularly in the player prop market. Here’s what jumps out to me on DraftKings Sportsbook.

Place your NBA bets at DraftKings Sportsbook and bet online by downloading the DraftKings Sportsbook app.

San Antonio Spurs at Oklahoma City Thunder: OKC 1Q -115

If you read the NBA betting trends article today, you saw this one coming. It’s the perfect combination of trends melding with a spot that makes a lot of sense from a narrative perspective. The Spurs haven’t played in 10 days due to a COVID-19 breakout, and will be without at least five players for this game. On top of that, San Antonio is already an awful first quarter team, sitting at an NBA-worst 8-19 1Q ATS. Meanwhile, OKC is getting healthy and should have all its top guys for this game. The Thunder are on a terrific first quarter run, going 9-1-1 1Q ATS over the last 11 games. The Spurs have been a good road team this season, but it’d be silly to trust them in this spot, especially early in the game.

Los Angeles Lakers at Utah Jazz: LAL +9 (-109)

Going from trends and numbers to blindly backing LeBron James. The Lakers are in shambles right now, losing three in a row and going 2-7 ATS over their last nine. The Jazz are red-hot, but we almost never see LeBron as this large of a dog, so I’m biting. The Lakers have been good on the road, going 13-3 straight up and 9-7 ATS. The Lakers have also covered their last five trips to Utah. Even without Anthony Davis and Dennis Schroder, I think LeBron can keep this from getting to double-digits.

Place your NBA bets at DraftKings Sportsbook and bet online by downloading the DraftKings Sportsbook app.

Put your knowledge to the test. Sign up for DraftKings and experience the game inside the game.

All views expressed are my own. I am an employee of DraftKings and am ineligible to play in public DFS or DKSB contests.

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL).

Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ/WV/PA/MI), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (NH/CO), 1-800-BETS OFF(IA), 1-888-532-3500 (VA) or call/text TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN).

21+ (18+ NH). CO/IL/IN/IA/NH/NJ/PA/TN/VA/WV/MI only. Eligibility restrictions apply. See draftkings.com/sportsbook for full terms and conditions.