NBA Betting Preview (February 6): Will Nets Over Cash Again?

NBA Betting Preview (February 6): Will Nets Over Cash Again?

Friday night was a packed night for NBA betting, as there were nine games on the schedule. And what a night it was, with high-scoring games throughout the night and multiple favorites going down.

Today’s schedule is even more packed. There are 11 games on tap, with the action starting this afternoon with the Portland Trail Blazers facing off with the New York Knicks at MSG. That one won’t be included in today’s preview due to its early start time, but it will be interesting to see if the Blazers can follow up Thursday’s impressive road win over the 76ers by beating the Knicks to close out their road trip.

The headliner of Saturday’s NBA slate is in Philly, as the Philadelphia 76ers host the Brooklyn Nets in a matchup featuring two of the top three teams in the Eastern Conference standings. The Nets, who were one of the NBA betting favorites to lose last night, will be without one of their Big Three tonight and perhaps a bit longer.

February 6 NBA Betting Game of the Day

All odds in this article are via FanDuel Sportsbook. Saturday, February 06 (1:10 pm ET)

Brooklyn Nets (14-10) vs Philadelphia 76ers (16-7)

  • Time & TV: (NA), 8:00 pm ET
  • Spread: Nets +4.5 (-110), 76ers -4.5 (-110)
  • Total: OVER 236.5 (-110), UNDER 236.5 (-110)
  • Moneyline: Nets +158, 76ers -188

How will the Nets fare tonight without KD? The 76ers are a league-best 10-2 at home, though they had a stinker Thursday night in a 121-105 loss to Portland.

Can the Nets slow down Joel Embiid? Embiid is on what may be the best run of his career. He has averaged 35.6 ppg and 9.7 rpg in his last seven games, and he has posted five 30+ point games in that stretch. He should be licking his chops at the prospect of facing the Nets, who have given up 120 or more points nine times in their last 10 games.

Key Trend: The OVER is 18-6-0 in Nets games this season, including a 17-1-0 mark in their last 18 games.

February 6 NBA Betting: Best of the Rest

Denver Nuggets (12-9) vs Sacramento Kings (10-11)

  • Time & TV: NBATV, 5:00 pm ET
  • Spread: Nuggets -3.5 (-110), Kings +3.5 (-110)
  • Total: OVER 228 (-105), UNDER 228 (-115)
  • Moneyline: Nuggets -162, Kings +136

The Kings are suddenly one of the hottest teams in the NBA. After a loss to the Clippers over two weeks ago, they were 5-10. Since then, they have won five of six, and they enter tonight with a chance to move to .500. The Nuggets come in after a rough second half against the Lakers, which saw them being outscored 68-35 after leading by a dozen at halftime.

Key Trend: The Nuggets have been an over machine this season as well, as the OVER is also 18-6 in Nuggets games this season.

Milwaukee Bucks (14-8) vs Cleveland Cavaliers (10-13)

  • Time & TV: (NA), 8:00 pm ET
  • Spread: Bucks -10.5 (-110), Cavaliers +10.5 (-110)
  • Total: OVER 228 (-110), UNDER 228 (-110)
  • Moneyline: Bucks -590, Cavaliers +430

These two teams played just last night, with the Bucks dominating the second half in a 123-105 win. The Cavaliers led at halftime, but the Bucks outscored them by 21 in the second half to take control. The Cavs have now lost six of eight. Is a repeat in store tonight? The Bucks have struggled with inconsistency, but they seem to be clicking now. They have won three straight, and those wins have been by 28, 20, and 18.

Key Trend: The Bucks are 7-0 against Central Division foes, with an average margin of victory of 16 points in those games.

San Antonio Spurs (12-10) vs Houston Rockets (11-10)

  • Time & TV: (NA), 8:00 pm ET
  • Spread: Spurs -1 (-105), Rockets +1 (-115)
  • Total: OVER 224 (-110), UNDER 224 (-110)
  • Moneyline: Spurs -108, Rockets -108

The Spurs and Rockets are both playing above expectations. A 6-3 road record has helped the Spurs’ positive start, while the Rockets have won seven of eight since sitting at 4-9 on January 20. They are better off for the Harden trade from a chemistry standpoint, as that distraction no longer hangs over them. However, breakout star Christian Wood suffered a right ankle sprain in Thursday night’s win over the Memphis Grizzlies and could be set to miss some time.

Key Trend: The UNDER is 13-7-1 in Rockets games this season.

Golden State Warriors (12-10) vs Dallas Mavericks (9-14)

  • Time & TV: ABC, 8:30 pm ET
  • Spread: Warriors +4 (-110), Mavericks -4 (-110)
  • Total: OVER 231.5 (-115), UNDER 231.5 (-105)
  • Moneyline: Warriors +142, Mavericks -168

For some reason, the Mavs continue to be an NBA betting darling despite their struggles. Last night was one of their worst performances in a season filled with bad performances. They led the Warriors at halftime, then were outscored 73-40 in the second half in a 147-116 loss. Will embarrassment fuel a positive response? Something needs to. It’s getting a bit late to salvage Luka Doncic’s NBA MVP chances, but it is not too late to make a move up the standings.

Key Trend: The Mavs have lost their last six home games and are 2-7 at home this season.

February 6 NBA Betting: Other Games

Chicago Bulls (8-13) vs Orlando Magic (9-14)

  • Time & TV: (NA), 7:00 pm ET
  • Spread: Bulls -1 (-110), Magic +1 (-110)
  • Total: OVER 224.5 (-110), UNDER 224.5 (-110)
  • Moneyline: Bulls -120, Magic +102

The Magic held off the Bulls last night in a high-scoring showdown. Nikola Vucevic erupted for 43 points and 19 rebounds in the Magic’s 123-119 win and is averaging 17 rebounds in his last three games. The Bulls, who are one of the league’s better three-point shooting teams, were only 9 of 30 from three last night.

Key Trend: Zach LaVine is only 1 of 12 from three in his last two games. Prior to that, he was shooting 42.5% from deep this season, a career best by some distance. Even with the last two games factored in, 39.5% would be a career high if he finished the season there.

Toronto Raptors (10-12) vs Atlanta Hawks (10-12)

  • Time & TV: (NA), 8:00 pm ET
  • Spread: Raptors -4.5 (-105), Hawks +4.5 (-115)
  • Total: OVER 222.5 (-110), UNDER 222.5 (-110)
  • Moneyline: Raptors -186, Hawks +156

It looks like the Raptors have woken up after an awful start, as they have won three straight and are creeping towards .500. Having to follow up a trip to Brooklyn with a game in Atlanta the next night is tough, but they may be getting the Hawks at the right time. The Hawks have three straight losses, all at home.

Key Trend: The Raptors are trending up on the road, winning three of four. The Hawks are trending down at home, having lost four straight.

Minnesota Timberwolves (6-16) vs Oklahoma City Thunder (9-12)

  • Time & TV: (NA), 8:00 pm ET
  • Spread: Timberwolves +1 (-110), Thunder -1 (-110)
  • Total: OVER 218.5 (-110), UNDER 218.5 (-110)
  • Moneyline: Timberwolves -102, Thunder -116

Last night’s thrilling win over the Thunder was a welcome one for the Timberwolves, who had lost 16 of 19. Can they win a second in a row? The Thunder have a league-worst 2-8 record at home. Six of those eight losses are by double digits.

Key Trend: The Thunder have not lost more than two in a row this season, but they have lost consecutive games five times. Were they to lose tonight, that would be the sixth instance. Three of the previous five instances have been at home.

Memphis Grizzlies (9-8) vs New Orleans Pelicans (9-12)

  • Time & TV: (NA), 9:00 pm ET
  • Spread: Grizzlies +1.5 (-110), Pelicans -1.5 (-110)
  • Total: OVER 227 (-110), UNDER 227 (-110)
  • Moneyline: Grizzlies +102, Pelicans -120

The Pelicans welcome the Grizzlies to town looking for a third straight impressive win. After beating the Phoenix Suns by 22 Wednesday, they edged the Indiana Pacers last night. The Grizzlies have not looked great in their last two games after a seven-game win streak. They gave up 134 points in a loss to the Pacers, then lost by 12 at home to the Houston Rockets.

Key Trend: Since opening the season by scoring 44 and 28 in his first two games, Ja Morant has not scored more than 19 points in his last seven games played. In three February games, Morant has averaged only 12.3 ppg and 5.7 apg.

Detroit Pistons (5-17) vs Los Angeles Lakers (17-6)

  • Time & TV: (NA), 10:00 pm ET
  • Spread: Pistons +14 (-110), Lakers -14 (-110)
  • Total: OVER 213.5 (-110), UNDER 213.5 (-110)
  • Moneyline: Pistons +870, Lakers -1500

In their last meeting on January 28, the Pistons stunned the Lakers 107-92. The Lakers have won three in a row since. Meanwhile, the Pistons have lost three in a row, all by double digits.

Key Trend: The UNDER is 17-6-0 in Lakers games this season.

By Eddie Griffin

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