NBA Best Bets Today | Expert Picks (Sunday, Feb. 4)
The NBA regular season continues with a jam packed 9-game slate today -- with three nationally televised matchups on-tap as Suns vs Wizards kicks off the action at 3:30 p.m. ET on NBA TV, followed by Clippers vs Heat at 6:00 on ESPN, and then we head back to NBA TV for Trail Blazers vs Nuggets at 8:30 to cap off another great week of basketball.
Let's dive into our NBA best bets and expert picks for Sunday, February 4.
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NBA Best Bets | Expert Picks for Sunday, Feb. 4
Raptors vs Thunder
It appears that Toronto has officially shifted gears into tank-mode after trading OG Anunoby to the Knicks in the closing days of December.
The Raptors have posted miserable record of 5-12 in their 17 games since the departure of Anunoby, while ranking 16th in offensive rating and 26th in defensive rating during that span – and their season is quickly spiraling downward as they enter tonight’s contest following losses in 10 of their last 12 games, with six of those losses coming by eight points or more.
While on the opposite side of the spectrum, Oklahoma City is currently tied with Minnesota for first place in the Western Conference with a record of 34-15, and this young team is only getting better. The Thunder own a league-best record of 16-6 since Christmas Day, while ranking top-four in offensive rating and defensive rating during that stretch.
The spread for this contest may be a little bit steep. But I’m still comfortable laying the hefty point-total with OKC in tonight’s matchup vs a Raptors squad that’s arguably been the worst team in basketball since mid-January (29th - NetRtg).
Pick: Thunder -8.5 (-110)
Michael's Best Bets Tracker: 7-6-0 (+0.25u)
Clippers vs Heat
by Joe Nelson
The Clippers don't deserve a lot of credit for wins over Washington and Detroit this week, but they have gone 4-1 on the current road trip and have games today and tomorrow in the Southeast. Los Angeles has been on a 24-5 run since early December as few teams have been better and the Clippers are only one-game behind Oklahoma City and Minnesota for the Western Conference lead.
Los Angeles has by far the league's top offensive efficiency in the past 10 games and the defense has been borderline top 10. In contrast the Heat have been the second worst offensive team in that stretch, while ranking worse than the Clippers defensively as well. Miami has snapped out of a seven-game slide with wins Wednesday and Friday this week, but this is still a team with a negative average scoring differential while only three games above .500 despite facing the #25 schedule in the league.
Miami has gone 2-11 S/U vs. the league's top 10 teams and while the Clippers haven't produced a great deal of high quality wins either, they have dominated through a more difficult path this season. The Clippers won 121-104 hosting this matchup on New Year's Day and the Clippers are 4-0 ATS in the past four trips to Miami.
Ivica Zubac is out today and while this has been a long road trip, tomorrow is the most likely fade spot for Los Angeles as this pairing will draw full attention. Los Angeles isn't just winning, each of the past seven wins have come by 11 or more points including four road wins and 31 of 32 wins for the Clippers this season have come by at least five points.
The only teams to defeat Miami in the past month have been top tier defensive teams, Miami has that reputation but hasn't delivered strong defensive results in recent weeks.
For more daily expert predictions, check out our NBA Free Picks page!
Bucks vs Jazz
VegasInsider NBA betting expert ASA is on fire! ASA is 15-3 in his last 18 NBA picks -- returning a profit of +1,160. Click here to purchase his top play for Bucks vs Jazz today.
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