We’re more than halfway into the 2024-25 NBA season. I’ll continue giving out NBA best bets and player props here as often as possible, and I’ll also occasionally write up features on big news that shakes up the league. So, make sure you check out my work throughout the season. With that out of the way, let’s get into some NBA best bets and NBA player props for Sunday, February 9th. Also, make sure you check out the picks page (linked right below) before games tip off. I occasionally add picks throughout the day.
MORE: Check out our Pro Picks page for everything our experts have on February 9th
NBA Best Bets Today – February 9th
Philadelphia 76ers at Milwaukee Bucks – 2:00 pm ET
That loss to Detroit was ugly for Philadelphia the other night. The Sixers had all of their stars in the lineup, and the Pistons were playing without Cade Cunningham. To add insult to injury, Philadelphia badly needs to take freebies like those given the team’s miserable start to the year. But I’m not going to overreact to that one game. I still really like this Sixers team at full strength, and I think this meeting with the Bucks should go Philadelphia’s way. It’s just a little hard to ignore how good some of the matchups are in this one.
The battle in the backcourt should really favor Tyrese Maxey, as he’s now more explosive offensively than Damian Lillard. Maxey should also be able to drive right by whoever the Bucks put on him. Also, having Joel Embiid, who looks to be on the right side of questionable today, is massive. He should be able to do a nice job of clogging up driving lanes, but there won’t even be any real driving threats with Giannis Antetokounmpo out. The Sixers just need to put somebody else on Brook Lopez, as they don’t want to have Embiid guarding on the perimeter all game. Also, Paul George will be the best wing on the floor, by far. So, this should be a game in which he finds his offense. And overall, the depth in this one favors Philadelphia quite a bit. With no Antetokounmpo, it’d be embarrassing if the Sixers can’t find a way here.
Bet: Sixers ML (-118 – 2 units)
NBA Player Props Today – February 9th
Toronto Raptors at Houston Rockets – 2:00 pm ET
I don’t plan on making a habit out of taking -175 player props, but this is another one in which I feel the price is off. Gradey Dick has made at least two 3s in 31 of the 45 games he has played this season. That means that he has surpassed today’s 3-point total in 68.9% of the games he has played this year. However, these -175 odds give him an implied probability of 63.6% that he’ll do it again today. That’s too low for me. I completely understand that Houston is fourth in the league in adjusted defensive rating (109.6) this year, and only one team in the league gives up fewer made 3s per game than the Rockets’ 12.3. But Dick has made at least two triples in four of his last five games. He also knocked down two in a meeting with this Rockets team on December 22nd. That said, we have seen the sniper reach this mark against this elite defense before. And while I know taking 3s away from Dick will be a focal point of the Houston defense today, I just can’t turn down a total this low. Getting Dick on the move and freeing him up for jumpers is a big part of what Toronto does on offense.
Bet: Dick Over 1.5 Made 3s (-175)
Additional Plays
This is where I’ll include any late added plays, teasers/parlays or in-season futures. Come back before tip if you don’t want to miss anything. It’s always possible I’ll add something to my card.
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2024-25 NBA Record: 238-228-2 (+11.68 units)
