NBA Best Bets Today, 2/3: Picks, Predictions & Player Props - Monday

The Well came through again, this time from the coffin of a stat correction. Nikola Vucevic continues to provide for Fantasy Alarm NBA best bets with successful player prop predictions, and we love him for it. Scottie Barnes fell just short as he wasn’t needed late in the fourth quarter. The Toronto Raptors stun the Los Angeles Clippers with a great second half comeback.
Kyrie Irving was a late scratch as the Dallas Mavericks essentially gave up before the game began. The Cleveland Cavaliers set a franchise record with 91 points in the first half. That was the third most points ever recorded in a first half of an NBA game.
NBA Picks, Predictions & Best Bets Today, 2/3
There are ten matches across the NBA tonight, and two games nationally televised on NBATV.
One of the games, Orlando Magic vs. Golden State Warriors, features one of our NBA best bets, but the bet of the night comes from the New Orleans Pelicans vs. Denver Nuggets.
Pelicans vs. Nuggets Prediction: Denver ML & Murray O21.5 Points (+110 SGP on Bet365) *Bet of the Night
The Denver Nuggets have been in some really close games lately and needed last minute fourth quarter heroics to earn victories. Their last two wins were edged out against teams well below .500 on the season, and tonight’s match is the same.
The New Orleans Pelicans are 12-37 this season, and just lost star player Dejounte Murray for the season due to an Achilles injury. The Pelicans have lost five in a row and are currently +11-point underdogs. However, Denver has difficulty covering the spread this season, after all they couldn’t cover against the Philadelphia 76ers and Charlotte Hornets.
Due to that the heavily juiced money line is suggested in order to turn Jamal Murray’s point line into positive odds. Jamal Murray is finally looking healthy this season and he is rewarding the team with excellent play. Murray is playing an average of 36.0 minutes per game and brought his point average back above 20 points per game (20.4).
The Pelicans allow 118.1 points per game, and the Nuggets are in a position to build up a nice win streak prior to the All-Star break. Murray will have an advantage over the backcourt of Jose Alvarado and CJ McCollum, and he should take advantage.
Murray’s points come in flurries and expect him to have a few Murray Flurries in this match. Put a unit on the plus odds same game parlay and root for Murray to score 22 or more points.
Magic vs. Warriors Prediction: Stephen Curry Under 23.5 Points (-115 on Bet365)
The Golden State Warriors have been anything but golden this season. The team has been desperately seeking trade partners, including trying to obtain Kevin Durant, Jimmy Butler, and other superstars. The front office is very much aware that this team is incapable of winning a series, much less a championship.
The Warriors are currently 24-24 and have won five of their last ten games. A true .500 team that is incapable of moving the needle and currently eleventh in the Western Conference. They simply do not have the roster to compete with the elite teams of the Western Conference.
Stephen Curry is considered one of the greatest of all-time, but he is aging and has shown signs of decline. The fact that other teams can key in on him, double him, or look to stop his movement doesn’t help. This is why his points per game is the lowest it has been in over a decade, 22.1
Despite that his points are set above his average, against what is a great perimeter defense. The Orlando Magic allow just 105.4 points per game and have some of the best backcourt defenders in the Association. Curry has not gone over this line in the Warriors last seven games, and the prediction is for him to go under again. Put a unit on Curry to score less than 24 points.
NBA Player Props & Other Picks Today, 2/3
The Utah Jazz were the third team involved with the Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks trade that sent shockwaves through the sports community.
One person the Utah Jazz did not trade is a Fantasy Alarm NBA best bets favorite.
Pacers vs. Jazz Prediction: Walker Kessler Over 10.5 Rebounds (-130 on Bet365)
Walker Kessler, the Utah Ranger, is still with the team and still racking up the rebounds. He earned 15 in the Jazz’s most recent match and is averaging 11.4 rebounds per game. He is still a sought-after center for several NBA franchises, but will the Jazz move on from him?
Are they displaying him for trade bait? Or is Walker simply like most professional athletes that enjoy playing, enjoy competing, and ultimately hate sitting on the bench? Kessler is a dominant presence in the paint and has enjoyed a lifetime of using his strength and size to out rebound other centers.
Tonight, he is playing against Myles Turner, who although a good center, is not an elite rebounder. Turner averages just 6.8 rebounds per game even though he averages 31.2 minutes per game. The Indiana Pacers allow 52.0 rebounds per game, which is essentially the median of the league.
Kessler the Desert Cowboy will also have his faithful sidekick, the elevation of the Delta Center. Indiana plays with quick pace, and there should be several missed field goals this game. This benefits Kessler who should earn his average amount of rebounds or more against the Pacers. Put a unit on him to do just that.
Get $1,000 In Bonus Bets At Bet365 Sportsbook Today
Bet365 Sportsbook offers an outstanding sign-up promotion that sets it apart from other betting sites. This deal goes beyond the usual incentives, giving new users a variety of attractive choices. Notably, you can start your adventure today without needing a Bet365 promo code!
Both options require a minimum deposit of $10. The first choice allows you to receive $150 in bonus bets after placing a wager of $5 or more, no matter the result.
Alternatively, if you prefer a safety net for your first bet, you can place a wager of $10 or more, up to $1,000, and if luck isn't on your side, your entire stake will be returned as bonus bets. Whether you want to tail our NBA best bets today or not, use this link to create your Bet365 account now!
Bet Smart, Be Lucky - Iggy
*All odds accurate at time of writing and NBA best bets to be placed at 1 unit unless specified otherwise