NBA Best Bets Today, 2/1: Picks, Predictions & Player Props - Saturday

Yesterday was not a day for the under's, all three wagers went over their line. However only Nikola Jokic was predicted to do so. Thankfully he covered his point prop as he scored 13 points in the fourth quarter. Nikola Vucevic and Jalen Duren both went over their rebounding proposition late in the fourth quarter, spoiling Meatloaf.
NBA Picks, Predictions & Best Bets Today, 2/1
There are nine matches across the Association today, and several teams are playing in back-to-back games.
One of those teams is featured in a parlay that happens to be the Bet of the Night.
Nuggets vs Hornets Prediction: DEN -6.5 and Christian Braun 12+ Points (-120 Same Game Parlay on DraftKings) *Bet of the Night
The sportsbooks have caught up to Christian Braun’s points, and his line has now been moved to 14.5, the highest of the season. Russell Westbrook was injured last night, and that will reinsert Braun back into the starting lineup, this could also be the reason for his highest projected point total.
The Fast Break Kid has scored 15 and 13 points in his last two matches, and that was coming off of the bench. He still averaged 30 minutes per game in those two matches, and could get an uptick in playing time with Westbrook out.
Regardless of that both the spread and his point total have been teased down for today’s Bet of the Night. The Charlotte Hornets are injured, and three starters are out against the Denver Nuggets. This has caused the spread to balloon to -13.5, and that seems risky for a team playing their second of back-to-back games… on the road no less.
For that reason the spread has been teased down in half, to -6.5. Braun has been on fire, and Fantasy Alarm has been riding his point total for all of 2025. We are riding it again tonight, but have teased it down to 12 points.
Braun has scored 12 or more points in eight of his last nine matches, the one he did not was due to Rudy Gobert’s excellent defensive skills around the rim. The Hornets do not have Gobert, and Mark Williams is listed as day-to-day. They could be playing their second and third string centers.
Braun will take advantage of a weak front court, and small back court. He has been one of the most aggressive scorers for Denver and that should continue against the Hornets. Put a unit on the parlay.
Kings vs Thunder Prediction: Isaiah Hartenstein Under 12.5 Rebounds (-135 on Bet365)
Domantas Sabonis is not a member of the All-Star team for another year. So much attention is given to Trae Young for being snubbed with a 20+ points and 11+ assists average. But what about Sabonis with season per game averages of 20.9 points, 14.5 rebounds, and 6.6 assists?
Playing in a conference with Nikola Jokic and Anthony Davis doesn’t make it easy, but make no doubt about it Sabonis is one of the best rebounders in the world. That is why we are taking his opponent to go under their rebounding line
Isaiah Hartenstein is a great center as well, and the Thunder paid him to come in and grab rebounds. They are still the second worst rebounding team in the Association, but Hartenstein has been helpful.
He is averaging 12.4 rebounds per game, and recorded 18 in the Oklahoma City Thunder’s most recent match against the Golden State Warriors. The Warriors don’t have a center anywhere near the level of Sabonis, and Hartenstein will struggle tonight.
13 rebounds for him doesn’t seem realistic, and the sportsbooks have put some juice on the under. Regardless, take the under and expect Sabonis to display why he should have been an All-Star.
NBA Player Props & Other Picks Today, 2/1
There is one nationally televised game today, and that is the Los Angeles Lakers versus the New York Knicks. The game begins at 8:30 PM ET on ABC and there is one player expected to have a great scoring night.
Lakers vs Knicks Prediction: Austin Reaves Over 20.5 Points (-120 on DraftKings)
Austin Reaves has proved to be a great basketball player, and one the Lakers have become dependent on for success. His size gives him an advantage over most backcourts, and he can contribute with great passing and/or scoring.
He hasn’t scored 21 or more points in his last four games, and just once in his last eight matches. However the expectation is for him to score over his season average of 18.2 points against the Knicks. Jalen Brunson is a great point guard, in fact the starter for the Eastern Conference All-Star team. However, he is not a great defender, and is severely undersized against Reaves.
If the New York Knicks are going to win by ten or more points, the Lakers will need to score often to keep up. Reaves is one of two starters not listed as day-to-day or out. He will have to be a scoring threat, and the focal point of the offense for them to have a chance to win this match.
Put a unit on him to score 21 or more points tonight.
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