NBA Thursday betting preview: Expect points between Pelicans, Thunder
We got back on track Wednesday with a 2-1 record on our NBA picks against the spread, and we came three points away from hitting the under for a perfect sweep. Can we go 2-for-2 on a light Thursday betting menu?
Mavericks (-7, 213) @ Pistons
How many times will the Pistons surprise in this spot before oddsmakers take notice? Detroit is 9-2 ATS this year when catching at least five points at home. That's the best record by any team with at least 10 such games in the last 25 years, and the team's 5-6 record straight up in that spot is third-best in that span.
It's fair to ask whether the Mavericks should even be favored by this much, with Luka Doncic (doubtful) and Kristaps Porzingis (questionable) both uncertain to play Thursday. Even if Porzingis does return, that isn't enough to justify laying this price against a frisky Pistons squad.
Pick: Pistons +7
Pelicans (-9.5, 230) @ Thunder
As tempting as it is to fade the Thunder at every turn, this number is a bit too high for my liking as the Pelicans haven't strung together enough impressive performances as of late. The total, though, is a different story.
New Orleans has gone under in three straight but saw four overs in its previous five games and is 37-22-3 to the over on the year - the fourth-best mark by any team since 1995. Meanwhile, Oklahoma City ranks 27th in defensive rating (116.5) since losing Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in late March, though a lousy offense has limited OKC to a 10-8-1 record to the over.
That may not hinder the Thunder as much against the Pelicans' defense, which is on the second night of a back-to-back after playing in Denver on Wednesday. New Orleans is 7-4 to the over on zero days' rest, while teams are a combined 40-21-3 to the over following a game in Denver since the start of the 2019 season.
Pick: Over 230
C Jackson Cowart is a betting writer for theScore. He's an award-winning journalist with stops at The Charlotte Observer, The San Diego Union-Tribune, The Times Herald-Record, and BetChicago. He's also a proud graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill, and his love of sweet tea is rivaled only by that of a juicy prop bet. Find him on Twitter @CJacksonCowart.