NBA Picks Tuesday: Knicks, Spurs, and Lakers Betting Preview

Monday’s NBA schedule was small but had some exciting games. Tuesday has ten games on it, giving us more choices for what we want to watch and bet on. I’m a little partial to the best teams and best players. We highlight a few below.

The Toronto Raptors and New York Knicks are two of the best in the East. San Antonio is certainly a contender in the West, and whenever the Los Angele Lakers play, it is must-see-TV (odds via DraftKings).

New York Knicks vs. Toronto Raptors

Knicks -2.5 at -108

This will be the fourth game in a four-game series between these two teams this season. New York won the first three easily, by 20, 16, and 27 points. The Knicks have too much depth and offensive power for the Raptors to overcome, plus they are playing really well at the moment.

They’ve won four of their last five and are coming off a big win over San Antonio, 114-89.

Toronto has played well overall since the break, beating Chicago, Milwaukee, and Washington. But they came up short against better teams like Oklahoma City and San Antonio. They’ll give the Knicks a good fight I front of a home crowd, but they are outmanned in this game.

New York will cover this surprisingly small spread.

San Antonio Spurs vs. Philadelphia 76ers

The Spurs are coming off a disappointing loss to the Knicks, but are not far removed from a brilliant, undefeated run in February. But this is the fifth straight road game for the Spurs; fatigue is bound to creep in and be a factor. It is worth noting that 11 of their 17 losses have been on the road.

But that may not be as much of a concern against a Philadelphia 76ers squad that is barely a .500 team at home (16-15). The 76ers are coming off a disappointing loss to the Celtics in Boston, 114-98, and will be missing Joel Embiid.

My Pick: Spurs -7.5 at -115

I’d be more comfortable taking the spread at what it opened as (-5.5), but it has since shifted in San Antonio’s favor. Without Joel Embiid down low, I don’t think the 76ers will have an answer for Victor Wembanyama.

There is enough talent on the team to keep it competitive, but the Spurs will pull away in the second half.

New Orleans Pelicans vs. Los Angeles Lakers

Lakers -8.5 at -108

This game should be an easy one, right? We have a healthy Lakers team coming off a 24-point win against the Sacramento Kings and a 28-point win over Golden State. Then we have a poor, but relatively healthy Pelicans team fresh off a 20-point loss to the Clippers in Los Angeles.

Yeah, I can’t see why a lot of analysts online are taking the Pelicans and the points. The Lakers have had their issues with good teams in recent weeks, but when they play bad ones, they take care of business.

If Zion Williamson plays, covering the spread becomes questionable, but I’d still take the Lakers to cover.