NBA Best Bets & Predictions Today: Josh Hart, Kings vs Celtics, Paolo Banchero Highlights!

Greetings to all NBA enthusiasts!

Following an evenly split Thursday night, with a successful prop bet on Devin Booker, I’m here to share three new picks for tonight’s lineup of seven games.

Tonight’s games are particularly noteworthy, featuring a rematch between the New York Knicks and Oklahoma City Thunder after just 10 days. Additionally, Paolo Banchero is set to return for the Orlando Magic in their game against the Milwaukee Bucks.

I’ll be providing betting insights for players in these key games, including an interesting four-player parlay to consider.

Below is a detailed analysis of my top picks for tonight.

Current NBA Betting Stats

• 2024-25 season: 105-106-4 (-3.82 units)
• Cumulative (since 2021-22 season): 1115-1051-26 (+34.27 units)

Access Peter Dewey’s NBA betting history here (including futures). Follow my daily selections on BetStamp here.

Top NBA Picks for Today

Lines courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.

• Sacramento Kings +10.5 (-108) vs. Boston Celtics
• Josh Hart OVER 8.5 Rebounds (-140)
• Player Prop Parlay (-122)

Sacramento Kings +10.5 (-108) vs. Boston Celtics

Is it possible the Sacramento Kings are being underestimated tonight?

The Kings have secured five consecutive victories and might see the return of De’Aaron Fox, who’s currently questionable, in their game against the reigning champions, the Boston Celtics.

Despite Boston’s strong performance this season, they have struggled to cover the spread at home when favored, doing so only 7 out of 19 times, with an average point difference of +10.2 in those games.

On the other hand, the Kings have excelled as road underdogs, covering the spread in four out of six games, with an average point difference of +7.0 in these games.

In the last five games, the Kings have ranked second in the NBA in net rating, just behind Boston.

Furthermore, the Kings have participated in 22 clutch games this season—defined as games with a five-point differential in the final five minutes—indicating their capability to keep games close.

Josh Hart OVER 8.5 Rebounds (-140)

Josh Hart faces a favorable matchup tonight, especially if Karl-Anthony Towns, who is questionable due to a knee issue, does not play for the Knicks. Although Towns played last Wednesday, he remains on the injury report.

In their previous encounter with OKC, Hart managed seven rebounds, but he has consistently grabbed at least 11 rebounds in eight of his last nine games. This season, he is averaging 9.1 rebounds per game.

Facing an OKC team that ranks 29th in rebounding percentage and allows the second-most opponent rebounds per game, Hart is well-positioned to exceed his season average tonight.

Player Prop Parlay (-122)

• DeMar DeRozan 12+ Points
• Mikal Bridges 12+ Points
• Zion Williamson 15+ Points
• Paolo Banchero 12+ Points

DeMar DeRozan 12+ Points

Sacramento Kings wing DeMar DeRozan is averaging 20.8 points per game this season, shooting 48.6% from the field. He recently scored 30 points in a game without All-Star guard De’Aaron Fox, who may be out again tonight.

For this parlay, I’m backing DeRozan to score at least 12 points against Boston, a feat he has accomplished in 29 of 32 games this season.

Mikal Bridges 12+ Points

Knicks wing Mikal Bridges scored 24 points in his last matchup against the Thunder and has been outstanding since December, averaging 21.3 points on 53.6% shooting.

With only one game below 12 points in his last 19, and playing about 40 minutes each game, Bridges is a strong bet at this reduced number.

Zion Williamson 15+ Points

Zion Williamson recently returned from a hamstring injury to score 22 points on 9-of-15 shooting in just under 28 minutes.

Although he may still be on a minutes restriction, Williamson is expected to take plenty of shots against the 76ers tonight, especially with several key Pelicans players out.

I’m comfortable lowering his points prop to 15+, a number he has surpassed in five of seven games this season, averaging 22.6 points overall.

Paolo Banchero 12+ Points

Banchero is returning from an oblique injury tonight against the Bucks, possibly on limited minutes.

Despite the restriction, Banchero is likely to be a key offensive option for the Magic, especially with several teammates sidelined. This season, he’s averaging 29.0 points across five games, never scoring below 15 points.

Given these factors, I’m backing Banchero to score at least 12 points against a middling Milwaukee defense tonight.

Lines are subject to periodic updates and may change.

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