After two national TV games last night, there is just one primetime game today, which will tip at 7:30 p.m. ET and features the Philadelphia 76ers (5-6) traveling to take on the Atlanta Hawks (7-4). The Hawks are coming off a loss to the surging Utah Jazz last night. Aside from that game, this article has the best NBA bets today for this four-game evening slate.
Best NBA Bets Today: Game Tips & Betting Predictions
Heat Aren’t 10 Points Better Than Anyone
Miami welcomes Charlotte to FTX Arena Thursday, and it is starting as favorites. However, Tyler Herro, the Heat’s second-leading scorer, is questionable, and even if he does play, the ankle sprain could take a toll on his performance. Other than Herro, Jimmy Butler is Miami’s main scoring option.
The Heat shoot well and are a solid rebounding team, but they have shortcomings that the Hornets can exploit. Miami turns the ball over at the 12th-lowest rate, and the Hornets are 12th in opponent turnover rate. The Heat have struggled immensely at home as well: A league-worst 2-9 against the spread and 1-6 against the spread at home this season. Miami has won just one game this season by double figures.
Charlotte has nine losses on the season, but just four came by a spread of more than 10. The Hornets are one of the worst shooting teams in the league, but they do rebound well (ninth in offensive rebounding rate) and play without turning the ball over. Those will be two keys to keeping this game close. With Terry Rozier and Kelly Oubre Jr., the Hornets have shot making to potentially stay in front, and they have wins over talented teams like Golden State on the season.
The tempo should matter as well. Miami doesn’t like to get out and run, sitting 23rd in NBA in pace. The Hornets are also in the bottom half, which could produce less scoring. The Heat should win, but they haven’t proven enough this season to be double-figure favorites over anyone.
Hornets-Heat Prediction: Hornets +10.5 (-110) at Caesars | Playable to +11.0 (+100)
Mavericks Can Put On A Show
For starters, the Wizards are at Capitol One Arena, and despite calling it their home, they are just 2-3 there this season.
The Wizards have not been nearly as good as their 4-5 record indicates, having the league’s 25th-best net rating. One could argue the opposite for the Mavericks, who are 6-4 and have the seventh-best net rating. Dallas ranks ninth in defensive rating, 11th in turnover rate and eighth in effective field goal shooting. The Wizards respectively sit 22nd, seventh and 21st in those areas.
Washington will also be without Bradley Beal, who has consistently been the team’s best scorer for over half a decade. The spread is set at 3.5. The Wizards would be 1-1 against the spread against the spread in games at this margin without Beal, and last season they would’ve been 20-22 against the spread. Since they are taking on one of the most consistent teams in the NBA, the move here is to bet against Washington.
Mavericks-Wizards Prediction: Mavericks -3.5 (-110) at BetMGM| Playable to -4.0 (+100)
