Thursday, February 29 serves up an eight-game NBA slate headlined by a doubleheader on TNT featuring Warriors vs Knicks (7:30 p.m. ET) and Heat vs Nuggets (10 p.m. ET). So on Thursday's episode of the "Buckets" podcast, our experts dished out a trio of predictions for tonight's two nationally televised matchups.
Let's dive into Thursday's best NBA bets from "Buckets."
NBA Best Bets From the ‘Buckets’ Podcast | Thursday, Feb. 29
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 7:30 p.m. | Under 223.5 |
  | 10:00 p.m. | Heat +5 |
| 10:00 p.m. | Over 216.5 |
Knicks-Warriors Under 223.5 (-110)
7:30 p.m. ET ⋅ TNT
The Warriors are a completely different team from the beginning of the season.
Draymond Green is fully back so we know the defense has turned a corner and the emergence of Jonathan Kuminga has improved the Warriors' defense even more.
The Knicks are playing like the old teams Tom Thibodeau used to coach. They have one main star and then a bunch of role players that slow down the game and make it ugly.
When it comes to primetime games, I like to take the under because the game will be competitive and possessions will be at a premium.
Pick: Under 223.5 (-110)
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Heat +5 (-110) at Nuggets
10:00 p.m. ET ⋅ TNT
By Jay Money
This is their first matchup against the Heat this season. This is Finals revenge in a bounce-back Jay spot.
They have lost nine straight matchups against the Nuggets straight up. But the Heat are scorching hot right now. They have won five straight, eight of their last 10 games — and they are 8-0 against the spread in the last eight.
The Nuggets are playing their fifth game in eight days and are on a back-to-back. The Nuggets are only 4-7 against the spread in the back-to-back spot.
I think the Heat will be turned up to get some revenge and keep this game close — at least keeping it within two possessions.
Pick: Heat +5 (-110)
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Heat-Nuggets Over 216.5 (-110)
10:00 p.m. ET ⋅ TNT
By Sean Little
Keep an eye on the injury report for the Heat. Both Tyler Herro and Kevin Love are questionable as of now.
In a spot as big as this, 216.5 is way too low of a number. The Heat are playing their fourth straight road game coming out of the break but are playing their third game in four days. Both teams have been playing top-10 offense and defense since the break.
The Nuggets are 11th in pace, but the Heat are at the bottom of the league. I think with the Nuggets at home, they will play at their pace and will speed up the Heat. The trends are not good for this over play.
The Heat are 9-21 to the under on the road and the Nuggets are 11-16 to the under at home. But as we mentioned, the Nuggets will be on the back-to-back so I expect to see some tired legs.
I think this game will be very competitive and play into in the 220's.
Pick: Over 216.5 (-110)
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