Our NBA best bets and expert picks for Sunday include six picks from today's loaded 11-game slate, with four of them coming from the props market, and two against the spread.
Action Network's NBA analysts have locked in a Buddy Hield prop in Bucks vs 76ers, as well as a D'Angelo Russell prop in Lakers vs Suns — and then player prop bets for both teams in Nuggets vs Warriors.
Continue reading below for our NBA picks and best bets for Sunday, February 25.
NBA Best Bets Tonight | Expert Picks for Sunday, February 25
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 1 p.m. | |
  | 3:30 p.m. | |
  | 5 p.m. | |
  | 7 p.m. | |
  | 7 p.m. | |
| 7 p.m. | |
Specific betting recommendations come from the sportsbook offering preferred odds as of writing. Always shop for the best price using our NBA Odds page, which automatically surfaces the best lines for every game. | ||
Bucks vs. 76ers
Buddy Hield has some nice edges to hit these two props individually, and I feel like they're intertwined given what he's shown in Philly, combined with the Bucks perimeter defense.
Hield has gone over 13.5 points in all but one of his six games as a member of the Sixers, which was his last effort, finishing at just 13 points against the Cavaliers.
The 2.5 threes? He's hit three or more in all of his games with Philly. In fact, he hit four or more in five of those six outings — up until his most recent effort. Really, he should probably be propped at 3.5, but as long as it's not, I'd take the over with no hesitation.
Hield has shot nine or more threes in all but one game — the same damn one against Cleveland — so on volume alone, he should clear this number.
Last game, he only put up six, but that isn't a reflection of who he's been post-Indy, albeit in a small sample.
Pick: Buddy Hield Over 13.5 Points + Over 2.5 3PM (+100)
| | | | | |
Lakers vs. Suns
From a betting standpoint, it's been more feast than famine with D'Angelo Russell lately… and this season.
Russell has gone over 26.5 PRA in five of six — only miss was 26 flat — and in 15 of his last 19 games. He's also shooting 46/41.5/81 on the season. He's the clear cut third option on the Lakers, even as many expected it to be Austin Reaves.
Give him his due, Russell has outgrown his reputation this season to an extent, and lately, he's been money.
As a bonus, LeBron James and Anthony Davis are questionable again, and the path is clearer if one of them sits. But both have been questionable all year, and up to now, generally durable.
Still, the play has more to do with Russell's actual production, as opposed to an increase in usage dependent on the health status of their big two.
Pick: D'Angelo Russell Over 26.5 PTS + REB + AST (-115)
| | | | | |
Mavericks vs. Pacers
By Chris Baker
Aaron Nesmith has quietly been the Pacers third-best player all season long and his absence will be felt here in my opinion. Additionally, the Pacers have zero good options to defend Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving while I expect the Mavericks to do a decent job on Tyrese Haliburton with Josh Green and Derick Jones Jr. likely absorbing the bulk of the minutes on the All-Star point guard.
The Mavericks have been scorching hot since trading for Daniel Gafford and PJ Washington as they’ve gone 4-0 and rank second in the NBA in net rating (+20.9) over that span. They earned two double-digit wins over good teams in the Suns and Thunder during that stretch.
Meanwhile, the Pacers have not beaten a single top-10 team over the past month and have played the fifth-easiest schedule in the NBA so far this season according to dunksandthrees.com. The Mavericks have played the 12th most difficult schedule this season and the hardest schedule of opposing defenses.
I simply do not believe in this Indiana team. The Pacers still haven't proven themselves against the best competition, while the Mavericks might be legitimate title contenders. So I will gladly take them as short favorites here.
Pick: Mavericks -1 (-110)
| | | | | |
Magic vs. Hawks
What happens when an unstoppable force meets a VERY movable object? Well, we’re about to find out when the Magic tipoff against the Hawks tonight. The Magic have the best record against the spread this season and they are 19-12 ATS on the road, while the Hawks are just 8-21 ATS at home — the worst in the league.
The Magic tend to play teams well that have a similar profile to the Hawks. Atlanta's all-offense, no-defense approach tends to wear down against the Magic’s slow, gritty style. Orlando is 23-6-1 ATS under head coach Jamahl Mosley when facing a team with a 110+ defensive rating and 115+ offensive rating, including 13-5 this season.
The Hawks will be without Trae Young and Onyeka Okongwu — two important pieces for Atlanta — which only makes this number all the more appealing. Pivot to the moneyline if this line gets past -2.
Pick: Magic -1 (-110)
| | | | | |
Nuggets vs. Warriors
By Joe Dellera
The Nuggets take on the Golden State Warriors on Sunday in what should be a thrilling matchup with the Warriors surging of late.
One player I’m targeting is Jamal Murray. Murray has thrived against the Warriors, recording 25+ points in all four games against the Warriors over the last two seasons. Murray has found tremendous success with good looks from 3-point range, while also driving and working the pick-and-roll with Nikola Jokic to perfection.
While the Warriors have been significantly better of late, they have still surrendered big scoring nights to lead guards. Even though Murray (questionable – shin) missed last game, it was the second game of a back-to-back set where his services were not needed against Portland.
The extra rest should help him, considering he’s scored 21.7 ppg on two days of rest and exceeded his 20.5 points line in six of nine games. I expect Murray to score early and often in an exciting Western Conference matchup, likely exceeding 20.5 points.
Pick: Jamal Murray Over 20.5 Points (-125)
| | | | | |
Nuggets vs. Warriors
Draymond Green has been making love to this prop since his return from smacking Jusuf Nurkic in the head.
Green has gone over 13.5 points + boards in 13 of 16 games since returning, going over 13.5 just points OR rebounds on a few occasions. Green has cleared this number in seven straight, and that's despite fouling four or more times in four of those games.
Typically, you worry about foul trouble with Green, which likely factors into the number, but this is just a low total, even against the Nuggets. He's gone over this number in two of his last four games played against them going back two years.
It's just a low number to take advantage of. Green should glide over this prop tonight. Just hope that he doesn't do anything stupid.
Pick: Draymond Green Over 13.5 Points + Rebounds (-125)
| | | | | |
