The NBA regular season is back in action with a total of 11 matchups on the slate for this Sunday. So, our staff of basketball betting experts dug into the latest odds and identified NBA picks for five of today's contests.
Continue below for our NBA best bets and predictions for Sunday, February 22.
NBA Best Bets, Picks for Sunday, February 22
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 1:00 p.m. | |
  | 3:30 p.m. | |
  | 5 p.m. | |
  | 6:30 p.m. | |
  | 9 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. | ||
Celtics vs. Lakers Player Prop Pick
Action PRO is projecting 30.94 points for Jaylen Brown in the Celtics' matchup against the Lakers this evening, presenting a 15.7% edge against his current points prop line at FanDuel of over/under 27.5, which is good enough to give the Over an A- grade in our database.
Brown finds himself in a bit of a cold spell entering tonight's contest, having scored 26 points or less in four straight games.
However, prior to his last four games, Brown scored 29+ points in three straight games, and he's averaging 29.2 points per game on the season.
This should be a good spot for him to get back on track against a Lakers team that ranks 24th in defensive rating and 19th in points allowed on the season.
Pick: Jaylen Brown Over 27.5 Points (-130)
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Mavericks vs. Pacers Spread Pick
By Bet Labs
This NBA spread betting system is built on the idea that strong home teams with consistent rebounding form and stable scoring patterns tend to deliver reliable spread performances when the market prices them within a reasonable moneyline range.
By focusing on home teams with solid ATS results in their own building, a sustained run of strong offensive rebounding across five games, and a recent scoring trend that sits just above league norms without being inflated, the system targets teams whose advantages are real rather than driven by short bursts of variance.
Limiting the sample to regular season games ensures predictable motivation and rotation patterns, while requiring the team to be at home captures the benefits of familiarity, rest structure, and crowd support.
When these factors align and the moneyline range stays between -130 and -250, the favorite tends to be priced fairly and capable of controlling the game through rebounding and steady offense, creating a profitable long term position.
Pick: Pacers +1.5 (-110)
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Magic vs. Clippers Over/Under Bet
By Bet Labs
This NBA totals betting system targets regular season games where betting action and market movement are misaligned.
When a majority of wagers lean heavily toward the Over yet the total drops from open to close, it signals sharp money driving the line down despite public sentiment.
In these spots, both teams often come off recent games that exceeded expectations offensively, inflating totals and public confidence in high scoring outcomes.
However, regression and defensive adjustments tend to follow, especially when oddsmakers shade lines higher to match demand.
This setup creates ideal conditions for value on the Under, as professional bettors anticipate slower pace, shooting variance, or fatigue leading to lower scoring than the market expects.
Pick: Under 215.5 (-110)
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Cavaliers vs. Thunder Prop Bet
By Joe Dellera
Jared McCain has been really solid for the Thunder since he was acquired at the trade deadline, and he has seen his role expand with the injuries to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams.
McCain's scoring role has expanded in each game with his new team team and is coming off of three straight double-digit scoring games, bringing his points per game average to 11.6 since joining Oklahoma City.
The Cavaliers are a bit weak against spot-up shooters and have not defended the 3-point line well. This is a spot that McCain can exploit.
Considering the matchup and McCain’s expanding role, he should see enough opportunities to clear this line today.
Pick: Jared McCain Over 10.5 Points (-130)
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Nuggets vs. Warriors Total Prediction
By Matt Moore
I have been using this one in best bets for two weeks now, and I’ll keep going back to it as long as I project it Over (and I project this game in the 240s, Steph’s injury brings it down to somewhere in the 230s).
When Nikola Jokic plays and Aaron Gordon doesn’t this season, the Over is 22-6. That’s 79% this season. The trend holds up the last two seasons as well at 36-14.
The Nuggets very simply give up great looks to the opponent, including high-efficiency catch-and-shoot corner threes, and Draymond Green is actually 38 percent on those corner threes, while Moody is 44%.
Golden State can’t stop the Nuggets’ offense because no one can.
If the Warriors create turnovers (4th in forcing them this season), that leads to easier offense for them.
How about this one on top? The Over is 10-5 in Warriors' games this season when they have rest advantage.
Every signal and sign points towards a Warriors cover, maybe an outright win, and a high-scoring affair despite Golden State's lack of firepower.
Pick: Over 229.5 (-110)
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