Best NBA Betting Picks for Thursday: 3-Game Parlay Predictions
Grant White
Host · Writer
We are in the stretch drive of the NBA season. Teams are gearing up for the playoffs, increasing the intensity every step of the way. Today’s schedule features an exciting five-game slate, including some of the top contenders for the Larry O’Brien Trophy. These are our three top wagers for our Wednesday parlay!
Note: All odds and lines are courtesy of bet365 and are subject to change after the publication of this article.
Best NBA Betting Picks for Thursday: 3-Game Parlay Predictions
Leg 1: NYK-DET Under 229.0
Where to Watch New York Knicks vs. Detroit Pistons
- Arena: Little Caesars Arena
- Location: Detroit, MI
- Where to Watch: MSG, FDSDETX, TV20 Detroit
- Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
- Spread: DET -3.5 | Total: 229
- Moneyline: DET -160 | NYK +135
- Knicks vs. Pistons Matchup Page
Thursday’s contest between the New York Knicks and Detroit Pistons previews a potential first-round playoff matchup. The Knicks are currently the third seed, with the Pistons sitting sixth. With only three games remaining in the regular season, this could foreshadow what to expect next week.
Before their last outing, the Knicks were on a pronounced under trend. New York had gone under the total in five straight, with three of those totals falling below 225.5. Remember, the Knicks were destined for a sixth straight ‘under’ if not for the overtime period versus the Boston Celtics.
Detroit remains a defense-first basketball squad. They rank in the top 10 in defensive efficiency while limiting their opponents to an average of 113.2 points per game. Not surprisingly, they’ve held two of their last three opponents to 109 or fewer points, and have gone under the total in three of their previous four.
Defense will prevail in this pivotal Eastern Conference showdown. Given both teams’ preference for stout basketball, we’re taking the under at Little Caesars Arena.
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Leg 2: NOP-MIL Over 220.5
Where to Watch New Orleans Pelicans vs. Milwaukee Bucks
- Arena: Fiserv Forum
- Location: Milwaukee, WI
- Where to Watch: GCSEN, FDSWI
- Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
- Spread: MIL -13.5 | Total: 220.5
- Moneyline: MIL -900 | NOP +600
- Pelicans vs. Bucks Matchup Page
The Milwaukee Bucks have reinvented themselves as an offense-first basketball team, and the returns are promising. They can wield that advantage unmercifully versus the New Orleans Pelicans, in what should end up as one of the highest-scoring games of the night.
The Bucks’ scoring metrics are through the roof. Over their last six games, they’re averaging 120.8 points per game, with a corresponding boost to their shooting percentage. Not surprisingly, the Bucks are also 4-1-1 to the over across that six-game sample.
New Orleans doesn’t possess the defense to limit Milwaukee’s offensive exploits. The Pels rank 29th in defensive efficiency while giving up the fifth-most points per game in the league. However, we have seen improved offensive efforts from them in the short term. The Pelicans are shooting 47.1% across their last three, a two-point boost relative to their season-long average.
The Bucks and Pelicans will be happy to trade buckets all night. In the end, this one should work its way over 220.5.
Leg 3: Nets +13.5
Where to Watch Atlanta Hawks vs. Brooklyn Nets
- Arena: Barclays Center
- Location: Brooklyn, NY
- Where to Watch: YES Network
- Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
- Spread: ATL -13.5 | Total: 233
- Moneyline: ATL -900 | Nets +600
- Hawks vs. Nets Matchup Page
The Brooklyn Nets have recently been one of the safest bets in the NBA. They get to test their hand against a flightless Atlanta Hawks side. That leaves an edge in backing the home underdogs in this one.
Injuries have recently limited the Hawks’ performances, and that’s unlikely to change heading into tonight’s showdown at the Barclays Center. Trae Young continues to deal with a lingering Achilles injury, and Atlanta is without two other regulars.
Conversely, the Nets have won three of their last five, thanks to a more resilient defensive approach. They’ve held their opponents to an average of 106.8 points per game over that stretch, with only one of those teams eclipsing 112. Further, they’re 8-5 against the spread across their last 13.
Atlanta has dropped four of its last five, a trend that will be hard to reverse in Brooklyn. The risky play is taking the Nets outright, but they should be able to cover the hefty spread.
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Best NBA Betting Picks for Thursday: NYK-DET Under 229, NOP-MIL Over 220.5, Nets +13.5 (+595)
We’re locked in on a +595 parlay. Our analysis supports taking the over in Milwaukee, under in Detroit, and the Nets to cover +13.5 at home.
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