With just three games in the NBA on Thursday night, there isn’t a whole lot to bet on – especially when you consider the injuries in the Utah Jazz-Milwaukee Bucks matchup.
Both Lauri Markkanen and Giannis Antetokounmpo are questionable, making it tough to bet on a side and even harder to wager on any props.
So, I’m staying away from that matchup and focusing on a prop in the San Antonio Spurs-Portland Trail Blazers clash and a total for the Minnesota Timberwolves-Chicago Bulls game.
Let’s break down the picks for Thursday’s action.
NBA Best Bets Record to Date2024-25 season record: 25-32-1 (-4.49 units)OVERALL (since 2021-22 season): 1035-977-23 (+33.68 units)
NBA Best Bets TodayChris Paul OVER 1.5 3-Pointers Made (-168) – 0.5 unitMinnesota Timberwolves-Chicago Bulls UNDER 227.5 (-112) – 0.5 unit
Chris Paul OVER 1.5 3-Pointers Made (-168) – 0.5 unit
I broke down this play in today’s Best NBA Prop Bets story:
Minnesota Timberwolves-Chicago Bulls UNDER 227.5 (-112) – 0.5 unit
Neither of these teams has been great against the spread (Minnesota is 2-5, Chicago is 3-5) this season, so I’m looking to total for my best bet on Thursday night.
If Zach LaVine (thigh) sits again, the Bulls could be in trouble offensively.
Overall, they rank just 28th in the league in offensive rating and 20th in effective field goal percentage. The Wolves are the far superior offensive team (No. 2 in eFG%, No. 12 in offensive rating), but I’m not sold on them sending this game over the total.
Minnesota is also the No. 12 defense in the league, and it has gone under 227.5 combined points in four of their seven games – including two of their three road games.
The Bulls do come into this game No. 1 in the league in pace – not ideal for an under – but they scored just 99 points on Wednesday without LaVine.
On the second night of a back-to-back, I’m not sold on Chicago putting up a huge number against a Minnesota team (22nd in pace) that doesn’t mind slowing the game down and defending at a high level.