Sunday is a fun day for NBA betting inside the bubble, with six games on the board.
Today’s games tip at 2 p.m. ET and run into the final matchup of the night at 9 p.m. ET, with plenty on the line in terms of playoff positioning.
If you’re looking for NBA free picks, look no further: these are our best NBA picks and predictions for August 2. **video
NBA picks for today
Sacramento Kings vs Orlando Magic
Both the Orlando Magic and Sacramento Kings had blistering starts to their bubble debuts. The Magic scored 70 points in the first half versus Brooklyn on Friday while the Kings hung 65 points on the Spurs in the first 24 minutes.
Neither team is known for its explosive starts, ranking 24th and 25th respectively in first-half scoring on the season, but this is the bubble baby: where all is not as it seems.
While the offenses looked good in those first halves, the Kings and Magic each struggled on defense. Orlando gave up 39 first-quarter points to a patchwork Nets squad while Sacramento allowed San Antonio to drop 43 points in the first 12 minutes.
We like plenty of points early on for this Sunday shootout.
PREDICTION: First-half Over 113.5 (-110)
Milwaukee Bucks vs Houston Rockets
Milwaukee and Houston were already great at drawing fouls and getting to the line. But if their first games of the seeding schedule are any indication, the referees had better bring an extra whistle in case the main one wears out.
The Bucks drew 28 personal fouls and went to the line 34 times (10 more than their season average) in their win over Boston on Friday, knocking down 28 of those freebies. The Rockets were given even more charity, forcing 36 fouls from the Mavs and translating that into a 30-for-39 night from the stripe (Houston averages 26.2 FT attempts on the season).
Sunday’s game will see a surplus of points scored with the clock stopped and when you throw in Houston’s heat from downtown, you’ve got to like another Over in the bubble.
PREDICTION: Over 243.5 (-110)
Dallas Mavericks vs Phoenix Suns
The Suns have to be excited about their future, especially after a strong showing from Deandre Ayton versus Washington on Friday. The second-year center posted 24 points and 12 rebounds in a 125-112 victory.
Ayton obviously put in some work during the COVID-19 shutdown, stretching his range to beyond the arc. He hit 2 of 3 from deep against the Wizards after making both 3-point attempts during exhibition play, greatly improving on his 0-for-7 efforts from distance on the season.
Ayton takes on a Mavericks defense that just gave up a crap ton of points to Houston and allows an average of 49 points in the paint. The last time the Arizona product played Dallas, Ayton scored 31 points and yanked down nine boards in a 133-104 win back in late January.
PREDICTION: Deandre Ayton Over 32.5 points + rebounds (-118)
Saturday's NBA picks: 1-2
Season NBA picks: 6-3
Top NBA consensus for today
Want to know who today's biggest NBA betting and consensus bets are right now? Check out our top NBA consensus picks.
NBA betting card for August 2
- Sacramento vs. Orlando First-half Over 113.5 (-110)
- Milwaukee vs. Houston Over 243.5 (-110)
- Deandre Ayton Over 32.5 points + rebounds (-118)
NBA Parlays
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