The 2023-24 NBA season is in full swing and we’re tackling it hard at VSiN. As always, Jonathan Von Tobel will be providing you with his exceptional coverage of the greatest league in the world. Just click here for all of his content. However, all of my picks will be featured in this daily column, which will combine my NBA best bets and NBA player props. So, keep reading to find out how I’m playing the NBA slate on Tuesday, February 27. Also, check out our NBA Odds page for the latest line movement.
MORE: Check out our Pro Picks page for everything our experts have on February 27
2023 Record: 214-195-2 (+6.60 units)
NBA Best Bets Today – February 27
Utah Jazz at Atlanta Hawks – 7:30 pm ET
The Jazz come into this game after having lost five of their last six contests. They were also just 2-8 both straight-up and against the spread in their last 10 games before beating a very bad San Antonio Spurs team on Sunday. Utah no longer has the juice it had before the deadline, as the team sold off some key pieces. Simone Fontecchio and Kelly Olynyk were both important connectors in the Jazz offense, and replacing them is going to take some time — if it happens at all. With that in mind, I have a hard time believing in Utah tonight. And the fact that this is a road game doesn’t help. The Jazz are 9-20 SU and 13-16 ATS on the road this year.
The Hawks are also coming off an impressive 17-point win over the Orlando Magic last game. Trae Young, who is out indefinitely, didn’t play in that game. The result was a very good defensive performance from Atlanta. If that’s what we can expect moving forward, this Hawks team might be more competitive than expected without its superstar. This should also be a game in which Jalen Johnson really makes an impact for the Hawks. I don’t think anybody on the Jazz can stay in front of him. Johnson had 21 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists against the Magic. I’m expecting another big game here.
Atlanta is also 9-4 SU when coming off a home win this season. The Hawks should build on that victory in a very winnable matchup.
Bet: Hawks ML (-120 – 2 units)
Detroit Pistons at Chicago Bulls – 8:00 pm ET
The Pistons are coming off a very disappointing loss to the New York Knicks. Detroit probably should have won the game, as the refs admitted to missing a foul that led to New York’s game-winning bucket. However, the result of the game isn’t going to be overturned. So, the Pistons will likely enter this one a little ticked off. And it’s entirely possible they’ll be a little down, which could impact their play. But I can’t shake the fact that this feels like too many points, which is why I’m playing Detroit as an NBA best bet.
The Pistons haven’t been winning games lately, but they’re 16-9 ATS since the start of 2024. This has been a much more competitive team over the last few months. Also, it’s not like the Bulls are an explosive team offensively. Chicago is a gritty squad and I have enjoyed betting on them all year. But this group is nothing special offensively, so it’s hard to envision the Bulls winning by a wide margin.
Look for Jalen Duren’s rebounding to factor heavily into the outcome here. I think his athleticism and activity will stand out against a much slower Nikola Vucevic. And Cade Cunningham has the potential to be the best player on the floor.
Bet: Pistons +11 (-108)
NBA Player Props Today – February 27
Charlotte Hornets at Milwaukee Bucks – 8:00 pm ET
Tre Mann is averaging 11.7 points per game as a member of the Hornets. The 23-year-old is thriving with more opportunity, and I like him to have a nice game against the Bucks tonight. Milwaukee has been much better defensively since the All-Star break, but I still don’t trust this team on that end of the floor. And perimeter defense — specifically at the point of attack — is a major weakness for the Bucks. That said, I think Mann will be able to get himself going a bit as a scorer. He’s actually one of the best creators of space in the league, so he can do real damage against Damian Lillard or Malik Beasley. I’m playing Mann to score at least 12 points in this game as one of my NBA player props. I’m also sprinkling something on the guard to have at least 15.
Bet: Mann Over 11.5 Points (-105 – 1.5 units) & Alt Points 15+ (+195 – 0.5 units)
Houston Rockets at Oklahoma City Thunder – 10:00 pm ET
Alperen Sengun is coming off back-to-back games with 12 rebounds, and the last one actually came against this Oklahoma City team. That made this something of an easy pick for me. I already liked Sengun, who is averaging 9.2 rebounds per game this year, to have double digits in boards tonight. Oklahoma City is the second-worst team in the league when it comes to keeping opponents off the offensive glass. So, Sengun should be able to give the Thunder some problems there. He had five offensive boards last game. Also, considering the Rockets lost by 13 at home in that one, I’d be surprised if they don’t come out with a little extra juice here. That should give Sengun some extra adrenaline. That’s never a bad thing for a rebounder. Sengun just needs to avoid getting himself into foul trouble — which is never easy against Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Bet: Sengun Over 9.5 Rebounds (-125)
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