NBA Parlay Picks For Thursday: Celtics vs. Nets, Hawks vs. Bulls, And More
NBA Parlay Picks For Thursday: Celtics vs. Nets, Hawks vs. Bulls, And More
Multi-Team Parlay
- Atlanta Hawks +7
- Detroit Pistons +10.5
- Minnesota Timberwolves +8
NBA Parlay Odds: +262 (Bet $100 to win $262)
I hope everybody enjoyed the All-Star weekend and recharged their batteries over the basketball break, but today we're back at it again, looking to find the best value in an exciting slate of NBA games. The only downside is that every team has had time to reset and momentum has truly ground to a halt. With that said, let's dive into today's multi-team parlay.
Our first game sees the Chicago Bulls and Atlanta Hawks facing off for the third time this season, with the Bulls having won both of the previous meetings. As we're all aware, Chicago was one of the Eastern Conference's best teams before a string of injuries derailed their season, and while Alex Caruso and Lonzo Ball remain on the injury list, the Bulls have a strong roster heading into tonight's contest. The Hawks are a tough team too, led by star guard Trae Young and backed by the ever-impressive Bogdan Bogdanovic and Clint Capela. For Atlanta, their major concern heading into this game is the availability of John Collins, who is listed as doubtful to start the day. As I have said numerous times in recent months, the Hawks' biggest flaw continues to be their defense, and if the Bulls are able to slow them down offensively, then Atlanta will be in serious trouble. With such a large gap between games, it's hard to predict which team will come into this contest in better form, as rustiness is bound to play a part in the early exchanges between these two teams. On paper, without Caruso and Ball, the Bulls are evenly match tonight, but Collins' absence does swing things back into Chicago's favor. I had a hard time choosing a winner here but ultimately settled on the Bulls winning by a tight margin. Taking the Hawks on a +7 spread seems like fair value.
The last thing the Detroit Pistons needed after toppling the Boston Celtics, was a 7-day respite. Detroit has been struggling all year, and after getting a statement win, would have been better served riding that wave into another game. Alas, the break happened, and any additional boost the Pistons would have had is now gone, but they will wish they still had it later tonight, as they take on the Cleveland Cavaliers in the second leg of this parlay. In a blow to the Cavaliers' chances of victory tonight, Darius Garland, Caris LeVert, and Collin Sexton will all be missing from the rotation, while Lauri Markkanen is probable. Still, the Cavaliers have Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley to call upon, which means their defensive intensity will remain intact, so at least they can stay true to their identity. Against the Celtics, the Pistons played a bullish style of physical basketball and will look to try and do so again tonight, but Isaiah Stewart may struggle to assert himself against the trio giants the Cavaliers will roll out. Overall, I like Cade Cunningham, and Saddiq Bey but even with Jerami Grant in their rotation, the Pistons are still a rebuilding team with a poor record. As such, I'm inclined to roll with Cleveland tonight but will give the Pistons a fair shot by backing them on a +10.5 spread.
Finally, we have the Minnesota Timberwolves against the Memphis Grizzlies, a game that has taken place three times already this season, with the Grizzlies winning two of the contests. In a boost to both teams, neither roster projects to be hindered by injuries, although Dillion Brooks continues to be a big miss for the Grizzlies. Both teams have been in better-than-expected form this year and have won their fair share of plaudits as a result. But the Grizzlies have taken their game to new heights, and currently sit third in the Western Conference - four places ahead of their opponents for tonight. We've got lots of star power to enjoy throughout this contest with Ja Morant and Karl Anthony-Towns on opposing sides, both looking to will their teams to victory. The Grizzlies were on a good run before the All-Star break, and due to having minimal guys out with injury, project to hit the ground running again thanks to their youthful roster, which is why I'm backing them to make it 3-1 on the season series. Of course, we want to give the Timberwolves a fighting chance, which is why we're asking them to cover a +8 spread.
Boston Celtics vs. Brooklyn Nets Same-Game Parlay
- Boston Celtics Moneyline
- Jayson Tatum Over 27.5 Points
- Marcus Smart Over 1.5 threes
Same-Game Parlay Odds: +380 (Bet $100 to win $380)
Jayson Tatum is notorious for upping his game after the All-Star break, especially when he has participated in the All-Star game. This year should be no different, and backing him to score over 27.5 points against a depleted Nets team seems like smart money. Marcus Smart will be a little more difficult to cover his player prop, considering he has embraced a lower usage rate on offense, which has, in turn, allowed him to increase his playmaking duties. However, the Nets are short on their core five guys, and Smart is likely to try and take advantage of a lesser defense in this game. Kevin Durant, Ben Simmons, Kyrie Irving, Goran Dragic, and Joe Harris are all missing for Brooklyn tonight, The Celtics are currently the second-best defensive team in the NBA, and will be looking to hold the Nets to under 100 points, which considering their lack of elite talent right now, seems perfectly plausible. As such, I'm backing the Celtics to win this game outright, and the player props have me feeling confident of a clean sweep for this parlay.
Sacramento Kings vs. Denver Nuggets Same-Game Parlay
- Denver Nuggets Moneyline
- Domantas Sabonis Over 5.5 Assists
- Domantas Sabonis Over 19.5 Points
Same-Game Parlay Odds: +387 (Bet $100 to win $387)
Since joining the Sacramento Kings before the February 14 trade deadline, Domantas Sabonis has quickly established himself as the hub of the Sacramento offense, racking up the numbers as a result. Here we have one of the best passing big men in the NBA playing off one of the fastest point guards in the league, so of course, assist numbers and open looks quickly rack up. However, tonight, Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets will look to assert their dominance, and we get to witness two of the best modern-day centers go toe-to-toe - exciting times! The Kings have certainly improved their roster in recent weeks, and could potentially sneak into the playoffs as a result, but the Nuggets are slowly inching their way back to full health and have the reigning MVP in their rotation - so we have to back a team with the deeper body of work. I fully expect Sabonis to complete our player props for this game, but I have struggled to figure out how close the Kings can keep the score down the stretch, which I was I ended up opting for the money line in today's contest, and I feel might confident in getting a favorable result.