How to bet this week in the NBA: Pistons-Knicks, Celtics-Lakers, more
Now is the time for it NBA playoff positioning becomes a real thing.
With that said, let’s take a look at the odds for the biggest games on the schedule this week (at DraftKings Sportsbook as of February 17th), as well as what you need to know about each matchup. And check back throughout the week, as the games get closer and the odds are updated.
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THURSDAY, FEB. 19
Spread: Nix -2.5
Moneilines: Knicks -170, Pistons +142
O/U: 222.5
What you need to know: The Pistons have the best record in the NBA (40-13), but they still have that underdog glow. In fact, Detroit won and covered as an underdog at home against the Knicks on January 5th. The Knicks (35-20) are once again favored in this matchup, which will be played at Madison Square Garden. This season, Detroit is 6-0 overall and against the spread (ATS) as a road underdog, and 9-1 ATS as an underdog overall. New York is 18-9 ATS as a home favorite and 20-7 overall as a home favorite.
Spread: Spurs -7.5
Lines: Spurs -310, Suns +250
O/U: 225.5
What you need to know: The Suns have been shockingly good this year, sitting in seventh place in the Western Conference standings nine games up. 500 (32-23). The same could be said for the Spurs, who are second in the West at 38-16, good enough for the third-best record in the NBA. SA is 17-6 overall as a home favorite, but just 12-10-1 ATS as a home favorite. As a road underdog, the Suns are 9-8 ATS, but are 26-15 ATS in non-division games. However, Phoenix is just 5-12 as a road underdog. On November 2, the Suns beat the Spurs in Phoenix, playing as 5-point underdogs. On November 23, the Suns once again beat the Spurs in the desert, this time as 3.5-point favorites.
FRIDAY, FEB. 20
Expansion: TBD
Moneiline: TBD
O/U: TBD
What you need to know: The Lakers are great ATS as a favorite at home (12-5), but the same can’t be said when they’re an underdog at home (2-6 ATS). On November 25, the Lakers (as the home team) beat the Clippers, covering as 6.5 point favorites. On December 20, on the Clippers’ home floor, the Lakers failed to cover as 1.5-point favorites, losing to their cross-town rivals. On January 22, once again on the road against the Clippers, the Lakers failed to cover as underdogs with 2.5 points.
SATURDAY, FEB. 21
Expansion: TBD
Moneiline: TBD
O/U: TBD
What you need to know: Houston is 5-0 ATS this season as a road underdog, despite going 23-30 ATS overall. These two teams have yet to face each other this season.
SUNDAY, FEB. 22
Expansion: TBD
Moneiline: TBD
O/U: TBD
What you need to know: Is it shocking that, as a favorite at home, OKC is only 13-15 ATS? Probably because he is often favored by a large margin on his home floor. On January 19, the Thunder were favored by 6.5 points and easily overcame them, defeating the Cavs by 32 in Cleveland.
Expansion: TBD
Moneiline: TBD
O/U: TBD
What you need to know: Overall, the Warriors are 17-7 when favored at home and 1-3 as an underdog. Denver is 14-5 overall when favored on the road. The Nuggets opened the season at Golden State as 1.5-point favorites and failed to cover, losing by six. On Nov. 7 in Denver, the Nuggets outscored the Warriors by 25, easily covering as 9.5-point favorites.
Expansion: TBD
Moneiline: TBD
O/U: TBD
What you need to know: Boston is 12-5 overall as the favorite this season and 5-5 as the underdog. On December 5th, the Celtics defended their home court, beating the Lakers by 21 and 8.5 points.
2026-02-17 16:15:00
