NBA Pick: Celtics vs. Knicks Under 223.5 (-110) at BetOnline (visit our BetOnline Review)
It’s only a four-game slate for the NBA tonight. But we’ve got some quality games on the schedule and a game that will help us better understand which team wants the first pick in the NBA Draft more. Here are three NBA picks for tonight’s games.
Detroit Pistons vs. Charlotte Hornets
Monday, February 27, 2023 – 07:00 PM EST at Spectrum Center
Detroit Pistons
The Detroit Pistons are trying to earn that No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft this season. They’re sitting at 15-46 on the season and shut down their star player Cade Cunningham, way earlier in the year.
Detroit’s offense scores just 111.1 points per 100 possessions while shooting an effective field goal percentage of 52.6%. The Pistons have been solid on the offensive glass, earning 27.8% of offensive rebounds and still getting to the foul line at a high rate. Still, Detroit will end up giving the ball away many times, knowing that the Hornets have earned 14.7% of turnovers per game this season.
Charlotte Hornets
On the other hand, the Hornets have scored just 110 points per 100 possessions. Unlike the Pistons, the Hornets hold onto the basketball more and should win the turnover battle.
The Hornets don’t get to the foul line at a high rate but should also end up with second-chance points, thanks to 27% of offensive rebounds per game this season. Charlotte shoots plenty of bricks. The Hornets have shot an effective field goal percentage of 51.5%, the 29th in the league.
The Pick
While both offenses have been terrible this season, neither defense has been any better. The Pistons scored 141 in an overtime game in December against Charlotte and added 118 in another game. Both teams are tanking. It’s hard to debate who will win this game. But both offenses should at least have success tonight. Grab the Over at -110 NBA odds.
NBA Pick: Over 236 (-110) at BetOnline
Boston Celtics vs. New York Knicks
Monday, February 27, 2023 - 07:30 PM EST at Madison Square Garden
Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics have been playing in a bunch of tight games recently. Boston has won four of its last five games but has played in two overtime games and one nail-biter against the 76ers that almost resulted in overtime.
Still, the Celtics are one of the best offenses in the NBA, earning 118.6 points per 100 possessions while shooting an effective field goal percentage of 57%. Boston limits turnovers well but rarely earns a high rate of offensive rebounds. If Boston’s shots don’t fall, it could be a long day for the Celtics.
New York has held teams to a 53.1% effective field goal percentage. That’s a top-five rate in the NBA. It’s possible that the Knicks can get some stops against an excellent Boston offense. However, Jaylen Brown won’t play for the Celtics tonight for personal reasons. The Knicks have an edge there.
New York Knicks
The Knicks are on a massive winning streak. They added a glue guy in Josh Hart, who changed the team culture. New York limits turnovers and dominates the offensive glass. The Celtics have held teams to 23.5% of offensive rebounds. Second chances will be much harder for the Knicks, and they’re still shooting just a 53.2% effective field goal percentage.
The Pick
With Jaylen Brown unavailable and both defenses playing very well, I’ll take the Under 223.5.
NBA Pick: Under 223.5 (-110) at BetOnline
Orlando Magic vs. New Orleans Pelicans
Monday, February 27, 2023 - 08:00 PM EST at Smoothie King Center
Orlando Magic
The Orlando Magic once this season defeated the New Orleans Pelicans, earning a 123-110 win back in January. The Magic don’t have much consistency on the offensive end, scoring just 111.5 points per 100 possessions. Orlando will get to the foul line at a high rate but also turn the ball over 15.3% of the time while shooting an effective field goal percentage of 53.1%. The Magic shouldn’t have a ton of success offensively against New Orleans.
New Orleans Pelicans
The Pelicans have underperformed offensively this year, scoring just 114.3 points per 100 possessions. With Brandon Ingram back, you’d expect the offense to excel. But that hasn’t been the case. The Pelicans get to the foul line at a reasonable rate and earn offensive rebounds 28.1% of the time. But the Magic have limited teams in both areas throughout the season.
The Pick
The Pelicans had lost four of their last five games and scored just 103 points when they defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder. They’ve played terribly and are now below .500. I’m taking the Magic with the points.
Sunshine State bettors can make all of their NBA bets, including this one, at any of the top-rated Florida betting sites.
NBA Pick: Magic +4.5 (-110) at BetOnline
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.
