NBA Betting Picks for Thursday Feb. 19th’s Return From All-Star Break

Welcome back, NBA.

The All-Star break is coming to a close Wednesday, and the league gets back to business on Thursday. A 10-game slate kicks off the post-break schedule.

There are several good matchups on the schedule. So, to narrow things down a bit, we are going to focus on the nationally broadcast games on Prime Video.

Detroit Pistons vs. New York Knicks

Pistons ML at +150 (DraftKings)

Before the break, they had won 15 of their last 19, including their last three (and a home game vs. the Knicks, 116-80). They still have a couple of suspensions to work around, but that didn’t slow them down before the break, and I don’t expect it to in this game.

Having Karl-Anthony Towns in the lineup will certainly help; he was out in the last game vs. Detroit. It remains to be seen whether OG Anunoby will play (GTD). Part of me wants to lean towards the Knicks winning at home, but the Pistons have beaten them by 30 and 38 points this season.

With that in mind, I can’t pass on the Pistons at +150.

Boston Celtics vs. Golden State Warriors

Boston went into the break feeling good, having won six of their last seven games. They’ll get the second half of the season started with a four-game road trip starting with the Warriors. But if there was ever a time for a road trip, right after the All-Star break and fully rested may be the best time.

The Warriors limped into the Break with a number of star players nursing injuries, including Steph Curry and Kristaps Porzingis, and they are still listed as GTD. But there is supposed to be a status update for Curry and Porzingis after a team scrimmage on Wednesday.

Our Pick: Celtics -2.5 at -112 (DraftKings)

I’d suggest waiting until after the status update, but I’d still lean towards a healthy, rested Boston team over the Warriors. Golden State has been competitive despite the injuries and is a solid team at home.

But this is a small spread for a team like the Celtics to cover against an aging Warriors team.

Houston Rockets vs. Charlotte Hornets

Your first reaction was probably a lot like mine: a good Houston team vs. a mediocre Charlotte squad on its best day? Houston, all day long, right? But it is worth pointing out that the Hornets beat Houston 109-99 a couple of weeks ago, and Charlotte is actually pretty good.

The problem for the Rockets in that game was simple: Kevin Durant didn’t get any help. He put up 31 points, and the rest of the starting five put up 38.

Our Pick: Charlotte +124

I think Houston is the better team between the two, but there is something to be said for momentum. The Hornets went into the break having won 10 of their last 11 games. They’ve clearly figured something out that I’m not sure Houston has.

At plus money odds, I have to take Charlotte.