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NBA Best Bets Today | Expert Picks (Thursday, Feb. 1)

Michael Crosson
Michael Crosson Sports Betting Expert
2 minute read

The NBA regular season continues with a relatively light 4-game slate today -- although we still have plenty of action to handicap thanks to a nationally televised doubleheader on TNT with Lakers vs Celtics kicking off the action at 7:30 p.m. ET, and then 76ers vs Jazz set for the late window at 10:00.

Let's dive into our NBA best bets and expert picks for Thursday, February 1.

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NBA Best Bets | Expert Picks for Thursday, Feb. 1

Pacers vs Knicks

by Michael Crosson

The Pacers have risen to success this season by playing at the second-fastest pace in the NBA, and they lead the entire league in overall scoring at an average of 125 points per game. However, those numbers have taken a little bit of a downtick as of late, and their record is beginning to suffer as a result. 

The Pacers are just 4-6 in their last 10 games, while falling to 9th in pace and 11th in scoring during that span – averaging almost seven points less than their season average across their latest stretch at 118 points per game, and they’ve seen the total go under in eight of their last 12 contests.

While on the flip side, the Knicks have also seen a sharp downtick in pace recently, despite playing some of their best basketball of the season. The Knicks are 14-2 SU and 13-3 ATS in their last 16 games, and the total has gone under in 14 of those 16 contests – primarily thanks to a big boost at the defensive end from the insertion of OG Anunoby into the starting lineup; however, the absence of Julius Randle also plays to the under given his strengths on offense and weaknesses on defense.

I need to see more from New York without Randle before backing them in a contest like this. This number is too high. I’m taking the under.

Pick: Under 236.5 (-110)

Michael's Best Bets Tracker: 5-5-0 (-0.7u)

Lakers vs Celtics

by Nick Parsons

Lakers @ Celtics Under 242.5 Total Points (-110)

Both teams have been involved in several higher-scoring games of late, but I'm anticipating much more of a defensive affair here finally on Thursday.

LA is 25-25, but just 7-17 on the road, while Boston is 37-11, including 22-2 at home.

The Lakers opened their road-trip with a 145-144 OT win at Golden State, but they've since lost two in a row at Houston and Atlanta. They play with revenge here after the 126-115 X-Mas Day loss, and note that LA has seen the total go UNDER the number in seven of its last ten in trying to avenge a SU/ATS home loss vs. an opponent.

Boston is off a 129-124 home win over the Pacers. The Celtics have lost three straight against the spread, but that's significant to note here as the C's have in fact seen the total go UNDER the number in eight of their last 12 after three or more straight ATS setbacks in a row.

With each team doubling down on the defensive end like I expect, all signs do indeed point to the UNDER as the correct call in this one.

For more daily expert predictions, check out our NBA Free Picks page!

Pacers vs Knicks

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Michael Crosson

Michael Crosson

Michael Crosson began his time at VegasInsider as a freelance NBA writer back in 2019 while he continued to study Psychology and Biology at James Madison University. Following his graduation in 2021, Michael joined the team full-time, and he's been with VI ever since. Michael still writes NBA, NFL, and MLB for VI, as well as gambling industry news. He's also become a crucial part of our editorial production team. More from Michael Crosson
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