As we head into Super Bowl weekend, it’s hard not to think of anything else. But we’re here to tell you not to forget about NBA betting, as there is plenty of value to be found.
So much so, that we’re making a whopping five picks today. That includes two of the hottest NBA betting trends going– Milwaukee Bucks first-half spreads, and Brooklyn Nets Overs.
We break down the NBA odds for those games and more with our best free NBA picks and predictions for Friday, February 5.
NBA Picks for Today
Milwaukee Bucks vs Cleveland Cavaliers
The Milwaukee Bucks are coming off two dominant wins in a row and the Cleveland Cavaliers are next in line to be their latest victims. The Bucks continue to jump out to fast starts, so you know what that means. It’s the return of one of our favorite NBA betting trends - “Fear the first-half Deer.”
The Bucks’ No. 1-ranked offense is always raring to go the second the ball is tipped off, and it has resulted in them being a fantastic bet through the opening 24 minutes of their games. Milwaukee has gone 14-6 against the first-half spread this season, thanks to leading the NBA in first-half scoring (61.9) and first-half margin (7.1). And they’ll have a great chance to keep that rolling Friday.
The Cavaliers rank 22nd in first-half margin and dead last in first-half scoring, averaging just 50.7 points before the break this season. To make matters worse for the Cavs, they could be without leading scorer Collin Sexton, who is questionable to play with a neck injury.
There’s no way we’re fearing this bet tonight. Take the Bucks in the first half once again.
PREDICTION: Bucks -6.5 First Half (-110)
Toronto Raptors vs Brooklyn Nets
Brooklyn Nets Overs are the best trend going in the NBA betting, and there isn't much sportsbooks can do about it at this point. The total for Friday night’s matchup against the Toronto Raptors is on the board at 241, and that might not be high enough.
The Over is a remarkable 16-1 in the Nets’ last 17 games, which includes 9-1 since James Harden has shown up. With the “Beard” in the lineup the Nets have an offensive rating of 121, which is tops in the NBA, but at the same time have a defensive rating of 118.2, which currently ranks 28th.
On the other side, the Raptors have played better than their record indicates, and rank 13th in offensive rating. Fred VanVleet is coming off a record-setting 54-point performance against the Orlando Magic and Kyle Lowry has picked up his game recently.
The veteran All-Star is averaging 14.3 points, 10.3 assists, and 6.3 rebounds in the last three games, and recorded a triple-double against last time out against the Magic.
Lowry should certainly have the opportunity to rack up the assists in this one, but without OG Anunoby, the Raps will have issues slowing down the Nets trio of Harden, Kevin Durant, and Kyrie Irving in this one.
PREDICTION: Over 241 (-110) AND Kyle Lowry Over 6.5 Assists (-120)
Washington Wizards vs Miami Heat
The Miami Heat host the Washington Wizards for the second time in as many games and the first matchup did not go exactly as planned. The Heat won a 103-100 defensive battle where we got burned on our Jimmy Butler points prop. But we’re going back to the well none the less.
Butler came up two buckets short of eclipsing his points total, putting up 19 points on 5-11 shooting. But his points total is once again set at the tempting number of 21.5, and we just can’t say no. Butler had gone Over that number in his previous four games, and is averaging 24.7 since his return from the COVID-19 list. And he’s playing the Wizards!
That last game just feels like an outlier. The Wizards are arguably the worst defensive team in the NBA, ranking 29th in defensive rating, and dead last in opponent scoring and field goal percentage. The cosmic balance will be restored and Jimmy Buckets will return.
But we’re not stopping there.
On the other side, the Heat have to contend with Bradley Beal. While the All-Star shooting guard has been the topic of many NBA trade rumors he isn’t letting that affect his play on the court.
Beal leads the NBA in scoring at 34.8 points per game and the crazy part is he is getting better from long range. Beal is attempting 9.1 3-pointers per game over his 10 games, averaging 3.5 makes per game over that span. Going against a Heat defense that allows the most 3-point attempts per game and ranks 23rd in opponent 3-point percentage, we’re betting Beal to eclipse that average tonight.
PREDICTION: Jimmy Butler Over 21.5 Points (-115) AND Bradley Beal Over 3.5 Made Threes (+140)
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.
Yesterday's picks: 0-3 (-3 units)
Season record to date: 59-60-1 (-5.09 units)
NBA Betting Card for February 5
- Bucks -6.5 First Half (-110)
- TOR-BK Over 241 (-110)
- Kyle Lowry Over 6.5 Assists (-120)
- Jimmy Butler Over 21.5 Points (-115)
- Bradley Beal Over 3.5 Made Threes (+140)
NBA Parlays
Did you know that if you parlayed today’s NBA betting picks, you could win $289.81 on a $10 bet?
Use our NBA parlay calculator to create your own parlays and see their potential payouts.
Where Can I Bet on the NBA?
You can bet on NBA odds at every online and casino sportsbook, including NBA moneylines, spreads, Over/Under totals, and a ton of NBA prop odds. Head over to our best-suggested sportsbooks for the top spots to bet on NBA odds in your area.
