Free NBA Betting Picks and Best Bets (2/9/24)

The NBA trade deadline came and went yesterday, and it was a productive day. The Knicks strengthened their team by adding Bojan Bogdanovic and Alec Burks. Dallas made a really nice pick-up with P.J. Washington and also got Daniel Gafford. Patrick Beverley is headed to Milwaukee, while Buddy Hield will lace it up in the City of Brotherly Love. Phoenix acquired Royce O'Neale, and the Thunder added Gordon Hayward. There weren't any major names traded, but there were a lot of smaller moves that I think can have an impact.

In my article on Wednesday, I was able to sweep my three picks. The Wizards comfortably went under their team total, and I'm going back under with them playing the Celtics tonight. Golden State took care of business in Philadelphia, winning 127-104. To complete the sweep, the Pelicans won the first quarter 36-19 against the Clippers; they didn't even need the 2.5 points.

In this article, I'll be providing my favorite picks against the spread, game totals, parlays, and teasers for the NBA slate that tips off at 7:00 p.m. EST on Friday, February 9. Follow me on X, @Jwiesel13.

NBA Betting Picks: Totals

Washington Wizards (+16.5) at Boston Celtics (238.5 total)

As mentioned in the second intro paragraph, I'm going to try to once again capitalize on the Wizards' bad offense. Washington put up 106 points Wednesday night and actually shot 16/40 (40%) from three. For the season, they are hitting 11.9 threes on 34.2 attempts and shooting 34.8 percent. They did not get as many free throw attempts as they normally do, but you can't always rely on that. The Celtics also give up the fewest FTA per game, so that works against the Wizards tonight.

On the road this season, Washington is averaging 114.8 points on 42.9/32.9/75.1 shooting splits. Those percentages are not good, which isn't surprising given their record. Boston has been great on defense this season, and they rank third in defensive rating. In TD Garden, the Celtics are holding opponents to 109 points per game. Boston happens to give up a lot of field goals and three-point attempts. I didn't love seeing that, but opponents are only hitting 44.1 percent of their FGA and 33.8 percent of their three-point attempts.

Washington is 26th in offensive rating this season. They are currently on a four-game losing streak and averaging 107.3 points over that span. When these teams played back on October 30 in Washington, the Celtics won 126-107. According to EV Analytics, the Wizards are 7-3 to their team total under in their last 10 road games. I anticipate that it moves to 8-3 after tonight.

Total team effort 🤝 pic.twitter.com/i9asKaeRSL

— Boston Celtics (@celtics) February 8, 2024

The Pick: Wizards Team Total Under 110.5 (-115 ESPN BET)

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NBA Betting Picks: Spreads & ML

Houston Rockets (+2) at Toronto Raptors (230.5 total)

The Toronto Raptors had a semi-interesting trade deadline. Toronto acquired Kelly Olynyk and Ochai Agbaji from the Utah Jazz in exchange for Kira Lewis Jr., Otto Porter Jr., and a 2024 first-round pick. It was a move that surprised a lot of people, as Toronto sits at 18-33 this season. I don't hate the move and am intrigued to see Agbaji hopefully get real playing time. They also traded away guard Dennis Schroder for Spencer Dinwiddie, but they will not be keeping Dinwiddie.

I'm going to take Houston in the first quarter here. The Raptors are actually the worst team in the NBA at covering the first-quarter spread. They are 19-31-1 and only 10-13 at home. Houston is 24-25 and 10-13 on the road.

The Rockets give up fewer points, and their opponents have shot it worse against them. Neither offense is worth bragging about. They are nearly identical in first quarter scoring. Houston does rebound the ball better, which is something I always like to see. These teams are pretty similar on offense, but Houston has the better defense. The Rockets are giving up 12.1 points in the paint in the opening 12 minutes, compared to Toronto giving up 14 points. Small aspects like that can make all the difference in a 12-minute interval. I'd stay away from this full-game spread, but give me Houston early.

show the English big fella 🫴 pic.twitter.com/GB7Kl9C7bm

— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) February 7, 2024

The Pick: Rockets First Quarter +0.5  (-108 FanDuel)

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