NBA Daily Best Bets for Friday, February 27
Summary
The Cleveland Cavaliers face the Detroit Pistons with both teams 8-2 in their last ten games. Cleveland’s chances depend heavily on the availability of Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley, while Detroit holds a strong 22-7 home record. The prediction favors a high-scoring game, selecting the Over 225 points.
Other key matchups include the New York Knicks versus Milwaukee Bucks, where an Under 223 points is predicted, and the Memphis Grizzlies against Dallas Mavericks, expected to be a high-scoring shootout favoring the Over 237.5. Finally, a healthier Oklahoma City Thunder team is predicted to cover an 8-point spread against the Denver Nuggets, especially if Jamal Murray remains out.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Detroit Pistons 7:00 p.m. EST
| Spread | ML | Total | |
| Cavs | +6.5 (-110) | +215 | O225 (-110) |
| Pistons | -6.5 (-110) | -260 | U225 (-110) |
Cleveland Cavaliers (37-22)
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The Cavaliers are 8-2 in the last ten, but the two losses have come on the road, including a 118-116 loss to the Bucks on Wednesday. Jarrett Allen had 27 points and 11 rebounds as Cleveland played without James Harden, while Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley also sat out. When the teams met in January, the Pistons won a close one, 114-110, where Mitchell scored 30 points. Check the status of Mitchell and Mobley on game day; without them, Cleveland is in trouble.
Detroit Pistons (43-14)
Are the Pistons the best team in basketball after defeating the Thunder on Wednesday? Not so fast. Despite getting 29 points and 15 rebounds from Jalen Duren and 29 points from Cade Cunningham, OKC was without five of its starters, including Shai Alexander-Gilgeous. Still, Detroit is full value of the Eastern lead, going 8-2 in the last ten and 22-7 at home, a surge that’s starting to impact NBA betting odds and Eastern Conference futures as the market recalibrates expectations.
Recent Betting Trends
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Cleveland’s last 6 games.
The Cavs are 13-2 SU vs the Pistons in the last 15 games.
Detroit is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games.
The Pistons are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games at home.
Prediction
Both teams are playing well, going 8-2 in their last ten games, but the Pistons are tied for the second-most wins at home (22-7). Much of the Cavs’ chance hinges on Mitchell and Mobley playing, but expect some points in this. Cleveland has gone over in 4 of its last six, while the Pistons have hit the over in 3 of their last four. BEST BET:  OVER 225
New York Knicks vs Milwaukee Bucks 8:00 p.m. EST
| Spread | ML | Total | |
| Knicks | -7.5 (-110) | -285 | O223 (-110) |
| Bucks | +7.5 (-110) | +225 | U223 (-110) |
New York Knicks(37-22)
The Knicks lost to the Cavaliers this week by 15 points and are 5-4 in their last nine games. A bit uneven, yet they still remain just two games back of the Celtics for top spot in the Atlantic. Jalen Brunson, who averages 26.7 PPG, has three straight games of 20 or fewer points. New York needs its star to pick up his game to get back on track
Milwaukee Bucks (25-31)
Kevin Porter Jr. has led the way for the Bucks as they have won 5 of the last 6 and eight of the last ten without Giannis Antetokounmpo. Porter scored 20 points against the Cavaliers on Wednesday and is averaging 22 points in the last nine games. Seven of nine players reached double-digits in points vs Cleveland. Milwaukee is 14-13 at home and lost to New York in the lone meeting back in November.
Recent Betting Trends
The Knicks are 31-29 ATS this season but 10-18 ATS on the road, the worst in the NBA.
Milwaukee is 26-30 ATS and just 12-14 at home this season.
The Bucks are No. 5 in the NBA on the UNDER, 33-23.
New York is 31-29 on the UNDER and 16–12 on the road this season.
Prediction
The Knicks have been struggling while the Bucks have been playing well of late. Both teams have been playing UNDER games in recent weeks, and the trend should continue in this one. Expect better defenses and fewer points. BEST BET:  UNDER 223
Memphis Grizzlies vs Dallas Mavericks 8:30 p.m. EST
| Spread | ML | Total | |
| Grizzlies | +5.5 (-110) | +175 | O237.5 (-110) |
| Mavericks | -5.5 (-110) | -220 | U237.5 (-110) |
This is a tale of two teams who are going in opposite directions since the All-Star Break, as the Grizzlies have lost three in a row and seven of the last eight, while the Mavericks have won two of the last three, after losing 10 straight. Memphis has struggled defending, allowing an average of 131 PPG during that stretch, while Dallas has averaged 126 PPG in the last three. These teams can score but can’t defend as they rank in the bottom ten in points allowed (Grizzlies 118.1, Mavs 117.6). Expect a shootout and not much defense. BEST BET: OVER 237.5
Denver Nuggets vs Oklahoma City Thunder 9:30 p.m. EST
| Spread | ML | Total | |
| Nuggets | +8 (-110) | +260 | O231.5 (-110) |
| Thunder | -8 (-110) | -320 | U231.5 (-110) |
Denver Nuggets (36-22)
It was a win-lose game for the Nuggets on Wednesday as they beat the Celtics 103-84 with the help of Nikola Jokic and his 30-point, 12-rebound game, but Denver lost Jamal Murray just eight minutes in after dealing with an illness. No word on his status for this game. The Nuggets are tied for a league-best 21 road wins and have alternated wins with OKC in the last four meetings.
Oklahoma City Thunder (45-14)
The Thunder are coming off a 124-116 loss to the Pistons, but they were missing several starters, including SGA and Chet Holmgren. The only one of the top six to start was Isaiah Joe, and he left at halftime because of a bruised hip. Expect a healthier lineup for this game as OKC is a league-best 24-6 at home this season.
Recent Betting Trends
The Nuggets are 2-5 ATS in their last seven games.
OKC has covered in four straight and are 6-1 ATS in the last seven games.
The Thunder are 4-1 SU vs Denver in the last five meetings.
Denver is 6-3 ATS vs OKC in the last 9 games.
Prediction
After sitting many of the starters on Wednesday against the Pistons, the Thunder should have most of their starters back, including SGA. If Murray’s illness forces him to miss this game, OKC has an even bigger edge. Regardless, the Thunder get back on track and roll in this one, even if Murray is back. BEST BET:  Thunder -8
