NBA Picks Tonight: Three Best Bets Before the All-Star Break

Three games make up tonight’s NBA slate: Milwaukee Bucks vs. Oklahoma City Thunder, Portland Trail Blazers vs. Utah Jazz, and Dallas Mavericks vs. Los Angeles Lakers.

We’ve got your best NBA bets for each matchup below.

Milwaukee Bucks vs. Oklahoma City Thunder

OVER 216.5 (-108, DraftKings)

Both teams will be without their superstars, as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is out for Oklahoma City and Giannis Antetokounmpo is sidelined for Milwaukee.

The Bucks have managed to win four of their last five without Giannis, though the competition hasn’t exactly been daunting. The Thunder are 2-2 without SGA.

Oklahoma City still has the talent and depth to compete with — and beat — top teams in the NBA. Milwaukee doesn’t quite fall into that category right now. However, 12.5 points is a steep number for OKC to cover without its MVP candidate.

With SGA active, I wouldn’t hesitate to lay the points. Without him, the OVER feels like the stronger play.

Portland Trail Blazers vs. Utah Jazz

OVER 238.5 (-108, DraftKings)

Portland has struggled on the road lately, dropping its last four away from home. Still, the Blazers have won three of their last four overall, fueled by strong offensive performances (122+ points per game).

Utah has won three of its last five, showing solid offensive production and surprisingly improved defense.

When these teams last met in Portland, the Blazers won by 20. Earlier in the season in Salt Lake City, Portland won by just two.

It’s difficult to trust either team’s defense on a nightly basis, but both prior meetings cleared 238.5 comfortably. I’m riding the OVER again.

Dallas Mavericks vs. Los Angeles Lakers

Lakers +6.5 (-110, DraftKings)

Both teams are trying to stop losing streaks heading into the All-Star Break. Dallas has dropped eight straight, while the Lakers have lost two in a row.

If Los Angeles were forced to roll out the second-string lineup it used against San Antonio, Dallas would have a strong chance. However, it appears only Luka Dončić will be sidelined, with LeBron James and Austin Reaves expected to play.

Dallas will be without its best player, Cooper Flagg. The Mavericks’ role players could keep things competitive early, but the Lakers should ultimately pull away and cover the spread.