Expert NBA Picks and Today’s Best Bets

Expert NBA picks with our proprietary, data-driven AI model. Maximize your payout potential and bet confidently. Check out the best picks for upcoming games.

The Best NBA Bets with OddsTrader

Stop relying on human handicappers. Get the best NBA picks today free from human error with OddsTrader’s proprietary AI. Our algorithm performs millions of calculations quicker and more accurately than any human. By analyzing the entire NBA season, our computer picks eliminate bias, guesswork, and human error. 

And best of all, our predictions are completely free of charge. Take advantage of this invaluable offer to improve your betting strategy and maximize your payout potential on the biggest games of the week.

Today’s Free NBA Picks

Every day during the season, our NBA betting experts will share some of the best bets you can make.

Thursday’s slate features eight NBA games, including Magic @ Hornets and Lakers @ Heat. Here are our best picks ahead of the action.

Hornets -5 (-110) vs. Magic

The Hornets and Magic have met twice since Charlotte decided it was a good basketball team, and the results have come as expected. The Hornets won 120-105 on Dec. 26 and 124-97 on Jan. 22. Notably, both games took place in Orlando.

With that in mind, I have to take Charlotte as a fairly small home favorite. The Hornets have won 26 of their last 40 games and have played excellent defense lately, which doesn’t bode well for a Magic team that struggles to score in bunches.

Suns @ Spurs: Over 226.5 Points (-110)

The Spurs are a terror on defense, but they might be even more threatening on the other end of the floor. Since Feb. 1, San Antonio has gone 19-2 while averaging 123.7 points per game, and they’ve only failed to score under 110 points once during that stretch.

Phoenix looks like a favorable matchup. The Spurs lost their first two games against them, but in their most recent meeting on Feb. 19, they put up 121 points in a 27-point victory. I like San Antonio to cover tonight, but the over might be the safest play at 226.5 points.

How to Use our NBA Picks Grid

To make things easier for new and seasoned bettors alike, we’ve compiled a list of the best free NBA picks for each upcoming game. But in case you need a little bit more information, check out the following explanations for each of our grid’s features from left to right:

The Matchup: Which teams are slated to play, plus when and where.
AI Prediction Score: The points that our AI predicts each team will score.
Pick: The market we’ve identified is best to wager on: total, spread, or moneyline.
Expected Value: The difference between the implied probability and the cover probability so you can determine whether you’ll come out ahead of the sportsbooks with our pick versus theirs.
Cover Probability: The likelihood whether that team will cover/win the bet.
Bet Rating: Our internal ranking of the quality of that pick, where 5 stars equals the best possible rating.
Best Line: The best odds available for our chosen pick.

Home to the Most Accurate NBA Predictions

OddsTrader’s proprietary, data-driven algorithms analyze every moment of the entire season to produce the best NBA picks: even better than expert human handicappers. Our computer runs thousands of simulations using team stats, head-to-head history, roster changes, injuries, travel schedules, and more to calculate the most likely outcomes. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Still looking for more? Check our frequently asked questions to learn more about OddsTrader, our best NBA picks, and additional sports betting resources that can help you make smarter bets. 

How do OddsTrader’s computer picks work?

Our computers use key stats, matchups, injuries and trends to model thousands of game simulations for the most accurate predictions. By using only real-world information, our NBA computer picks eliminate human bias so you can make data-driven decisions for smarter bets.

How Do Computer Picks Work?

How accurate are our free NBA picks? 

Our 5-star picks have an average accuracy rating of 73.43%. And our 4-star picks: 60%. That means our computer picks are better on average than their human counterparts. So when it comes to choosing your next NBA pick, trust OddsTrader for your best bet at winning.

Of course, that’s not to say our computer picks are guaranteed. We strongly suggest you do your own research before placing a bet. 

What’s the difference between moneyline, spread, and O/U?

Moneylines, spreads, and O/Us are just some of the different options available in NBA betting. 

With spreads, you bet whether a team will cover a point spread.

With a moneyline bet, you bet which of the two teams will win the game outright.

And with totals, also known as over/under betting, you wager on the total points scored by both teams and whether that total goes over or under a sportsbook’s prediction.

Different Types of NBA Bets

Do you have other NBA betting resources available?

In addition to our free NBA picks, OddsTrader also offers numerous other resources and betting tips:

• NBA Odds: OddsTrader hosts odds from all major US sportsbooks and identifies the most favorable line for you. See odds for upcoming NBA games.
• Against the Spread (ATS) Records: Leverage each team’s standings and their recent performance to improve your NBA betting strategies. Review current standings.
• Player Injury Reports: Never assume a player will be ready for the big game. Protect yourself from busting by staying on top of game-changing news. Check out the latest injury announcements.
• Expert Articles: Read the latest from our roster of expert NBA analysts to see which bets they recommend. Read our most recent sports betting analysis.
• Sportsbook Reviews: Learn more about the major sportsbooks to find the one that best suits your needs. We do the hard work for you: compiling a list of pros and cons for each platform. Read our expert sportsbooks assessment.

*73.43% accuracy for OddsTrader’s 5-star picks. 1-star picks have an accuracy rating of 17%. 2-star picks 45%. 3–star picks 48%. And 4-star picks have an accuracy rating of 60%.**Estimation is based on the whole NBA season which includes the playoffs, during which there are fewer games scheduled than usual.