On a Thursday night where basketball takes center stage, it’s perhaps the NBA — not the NCAA Tournament — where experts are finding the best bets against the spread.
The Action Network’s PRO Report crunched the NBA odds and has value picks on all four games Thursday:
- New York Knicks vs. Orlando Magic, 7 p.m. ET
- Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Brooklyn Nets, 7:30 p.m. ET
- Charlotte Hornets vs. New Orleans Pelicans, 8 p.m. ET
- Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Los Angeles Clippers, 10:30 p.m. ET
The four NBA games tonight are generating a combination of big money, smart action from top basketball bettors, support from our app experts betting these predictions, as well NBA systems.
One of the picks tonight, meanwhile, features an A grade recommendation against the spread from advanced projections predicting who will cover.
Let’s dive into the four premier NBA picks Thursday.
NBA odds and data as of Thursday, via FanDuel
NBA Picks Thursday
Knicks vs. Magic (+3.5)
7 p.m. ET on NBA TV
The Knicks-Magic opening line moved a full point. After checking PRO, it’s clear the money rolling in was sharp.
We tracked a sharp-action alert tonight on the Knicks minus the points.
The signal strength according to PRO was fair on New York, which is up from -2.5 to -3.5 in Orlando.
Pick: Knicks -3.5 |
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Cavaliers vs. Nets (+4)
7:30 p.m. ET on YES
It’s the second meeting in three days between the Cavaliers and Nets.
Cleveland took care of business in a 115-109 win, but sharps and systems like the Nets to cover and keep it closer Thursday.
Brooklyn’s catching 75% of the money on just 31% of bets; both Big Money and Sharp Action tools lit up as a result.
Another expert opinion on the home underdogs is a Bet Labs NBA model, which singles out the Nets +4 in this situation.
Pick: Nets +4 |
Hornets vs. Pelicans (-9)
8 p.m. ET on BSNO
Tonight’s “A” pick from projections is the Hornets +9.
Our advanced numbers made the line more like Pelicans -5.5, offering a sizable edge on the road team.
Also, Big Money and Sharp Action tools both lit up tonight on Charlotte, which pro bettors seem to fancy: The Hornets are getting 63% of the coin on just 37% of spread tickets.
Pick: Hornets +9 |
Thunder vs. Clippers (-4)
8 p.m. ET on BSNO
Sharps and projections were all over the Thunder two nights ago catching +6.5 against the Clippers, and OKC won outright.
Tonight, both Sharp Action and Projections tools yet again favor the Thunder to cover.
Our numbers made the spread L.A. -2.1, and pros agree the line’s inflated: We logged a medium-strength move on the visitors.
Pick: Thunder +4 |