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Free NBA Picks Today for Friday, February 12th, 2021

No better to start the weekend than getting free picks for all 11 games for tonight's NBA action.

Free NBA Picks Today for Friday, February 12th, 2021
Picks & Predictions
Fri 12th February 2021

Our free NBA picks have the best predictions from the three main markets for all 11 games tonight! We are tracking at nearly 70% for the week and don’t plan on slowing down as the weekend approaches.

Minnesota Timberwolves @ Charlotte Hornets – 7PM ET

Karl-Anthony Towns returned for just his fifth game of the season on Wednesday night but it wasn’t enough for the Minnesota Timberwolves to overcome the Clippers, going down 112-119. They now have a much better chance at getting a win on the board when they travel down to face the Charlotte Hornets who had their three game winning streak snapped by the Grizzlies, 114-130. 

Terry Rozier put up 34 points while Miles Bridges had a 15 point double-double off the bench but a 15-31 third quarter put the game out of reach for Charlotte. The Hornets shot 20 less threes, making 10 less, while also losing the turnover battle and you are going to lose more games than not if you are behind in those two categories. 

Minnesota made more threes and had the same amount of turnovers as the Clippers but sent LA to the line 10 more times, for 10 more makes, and the third quarter was their undoing as well. The Timberwolves were outscored by 13 points in the first period after half time and despite a career night from Naz Reid (23 points, three rebounds & two blocks), 21 points from Malik Beasley and a successful return from Towns (18 points, 10 rebounds & three assists), Minnesota just couldn’t keep up. 

The Timberwolves have been very competitive lately but are just 2-11 on the road this season. In a battle of top three picks from last year’s draft, we like LaMelo Ball and his Hornets to get the upper hand on Anthony Edwards and his Timberwolves in this one. 

NBA Pick – Charlotte Hornets (-160)
NBA Spread – Charlotte Hornets -3.5 (-110)
Total Points Pick – Over 229 (-110)

New York Knicks @ Washington Wizards – 7PM ET

The New York Knicks are coming off back to back losses to the Heat and are looking to get back on track in the Nation’s capital against the Washington Wizards. This is a danger game for the Knicks who are just 6-9 on the road this season and are playing a Washington side that has just six total wins, the equal worst in the league. 

Washington’s last game saw them go down by 22 points to the Raptors, giving up 40 first quarter points and never getting back in it. Bradley Beal top scored for the Wizards but had just 24 points on 40% shooting while Russell Westbrook had 23 points, six rebounds and seven assists but also five turnovers. 

Washington will look to overcome the league’s best scoring defense in New York, who keep opposing teams to just 103.9 points per game, 10 points per game lower than the Wizards’ season average.

Tuesday saw New York keep Miami to just 98 points but still fell short, going down by two points. That was Derrick Rose’s first game back with the club after being traded from Detroit and he impressed with 14 points and three assists off the bench while Elfrid Payton top scored with 18 points, five rebounds and four assists. 

Beal is obviously getting more and more frustrated with the situation that he is in but his competitive edge is rivalled by few other players in the league. New York may have a top notch defense but they don’t have the star players that can help them get over the line down the stretch and Washington’s will allow them to do that. 

NBA Pick – Washington Wizards (+130)
NBA Spread – Washington Wizards +3 (-110)
Total Points Pick – Under 222 (-110)

San Antonio Spurs @ Atlanta Hawks – 7:30PM ET

The Atlanta Hawks return home after a heartbreaking one point loss to the Mavericks on Wednesday night and now host the San Antonio Spurs, who have won three of their last four games. 

The Hawks used a 30-19 second quarter to hold a nine point lead heading into the last quarter but gave up 37 fourth quarter points and missed two shots in the final 30 seconds that would have won the game. John Collins top scored with 33 points while Trae Young continues to have the ball on a string, finishing with 25 points, 15 assists and seven rebounds. 

A full team performance will be needed if the Hawks are able to pull out a win over the Spurs who had won three straight before a 91-114 loss to the Warriors on Tuesday night. Keldon Johnson was the highest scoring starter who had just 13 points as the entire team shot 37.2% from the field. 

Atlanta has the eleventh best offensive rating while San Antonio has the ninth best defensive rating and the good old adage of defense wins rings will be true in this one. While the Spurs have struggled on the offensive end at times, they are 7-3 on the road this season and will be able to dial in and buckle down against the Hawks and get the win here. 

NBA Pick – San Antonio Spurs (+115)
NBA Spread – San Antonio Spurs +2 (-110)
Total Points Pick – Under 228.5 (-110)

New Orleans Pelicans @ Dallas Mavericks – 7:30PM ET

The bubble finally burst for the New Orleans Pelicans as their four game winning streak was broken in Chicago on Wednesday night. Meanwhile the Dallas Mavericks have won three straight and four of their last five, climbing to 11th in the West after being 14th just weeks ago. 

Luka Doncic had a 28 point triple-double in a 118-117 come from behind win over Atlanta on Wednesday, using a 37-27 last quarter to get the win. Jalen Brunson had a very handy game off the bench with 21 points, four rebounds and five assists while the Mavs shot 50% from the field, 40% from behind the arc and 90% from the stripe, making the most of their opportunities. 

The Pelicans were on the second night of a back to back but still gave up 129 points to the Bulls, allowing them to make a franchise record 25 threes in the game. It was an inconsistent game with New Orleans losing the first quarter by 10, winning the second quarter by 18 before scoring just 14 points in the first quarter, losing the period by 26 points. 

Zion Williamson continues to impress, finishing with 29 points on 12/18 shooting and will be a nightmare matchup for Kristaps Porzingis and the Dallas frontcourt, but Luka is the clear best player in the game, New Orleans are just 4-8 on the road and we like Dallas to get the win at home. 

NBA Pick – Dallas Mavericks (-130)
NBA Spread – Dallas Mavericks -2 (-110)
Total Points Pick – Over 232.5 (-110)

Los Angeles Clippers @ Chicago Bulls – 8PM ET

That Chicago Bulls team that just snapped the Pelicans’ four game winning streak and put up a franchise record 25 threes in the process now plays host to the Los Angeles Clippers this evening. LA is coming off a 119-112 win over the Timberwolves and needed a 33-20 third quarter to get over the line. 

Kawhi Leonard had a season high 36 points plus eight rebounds, five assists and two steals, stepping up to the plate in the absence of Paul George who is OUT for this one as well. Lou Williams continued to impress with his increased opportunity off the bench, pouring in a season high 27 points. 

Zach LaVine continues to make his claim to become a first time All Star, scoring a season high 46 points on 9/14 from deep while Coby White had 30 points, eight triples and seven assists. Chicago used a 40-14 third quarter to take back the lead and put the game out of reach but things will obviously be a lot tougher against the Clippers who have the fourth best record in the league. 

LA is an impressive 10-4 on the road this season and has the second best offensive rating while the Bulls are just 4-8 at home and have just the 20th best defensive rating. We like the Clippers to sweep their two game road trip with a big, high scoring win over the Bulls in this one. 

NBA Pick – Los Angeles Clippers (-300)
NBA Spread – Chicago Bulls +7.5 (-115)
Total Points Pick – Over 225.5 (-110)

Detroit Pistons @ Boston Celtics – 8PM ET

The Detroit Pistons and the Boston Celtics go head to head for the third team this season, with the two sides splitting the two game mini-series in Detroit earlier this season. The Celtics returned home after a five game road trip to easily take care of the Raptors while Detroit regressed back to the norm after two good performances, losing to the Pacers by 16 last night. 

Jerami Grant finished with just nine points on 4/17 shooting in the Pistons’ loss as Josh Jackson had another good game off the bench with 18 points, eight rebounds and four assists. Rookie center Isaiah Stewart got the start for Mason Plumelee who missed with an elbow injury and made the most of the opportunity with 17 points, seven rebounds and two steals. 

The Pistons will need Grant to find the bottom of the net a bit better in this one if they are to have any chance against a Boston side that had a comfortable 120-106 win over Toronto last night. Semi Ojeleye, who is a career 3.3 points per game player, led scoring for both sides with 24 points on 6/8 from deep while Jaylen Brown had 12 points and a career high 10 assists. 

Detroit have been playing well against some of the league’s best sides this season but with the Celtics getting back home, we like them to win and win well tonight. 

NBA Pick – Boston Celtics (-360)
NBA Spread – Boston Celtics -8 (-110)
Total Points Pick – Over 211 (-110)

Oklahoma City Thunder @ Denver Nuggets – 9PM ET

The Oklahoma City Thunder are coming off back to back overtime losses to the Lakers and things don’t get any easier as they head to the Rockies to take on the Denver Nuggets. With that being said, the Nuggets have been faltering of late with their win over Cleveland on Wednesday snapping a three game skid. 

Paul Millsap had his best game of the season with 22 points, four rebounds, three rebounds and two steals while Nikola Jokic had another double double, finishing with 12 points and 12 assists. Denver used a 34-17 first quarter to put the game on ice before it even started and will look to do something similar against OKC who will be without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for the second straight game. 

In two straight games the Thunder held a fourth quarter lead over the defending champion Lakers but fell apart late and couldn’t keep up in overtime. Wednesday’s performance was more impressive, losing by just one point without their best player. Al Horford turned back the clock with 25 points, eight rebounds, eight assists and four steals while Hamidou Diallo had 15 points, 13 rebounds, five assists and two blocks. 

OKC will find it tough with Shai out of the lineup again and Denver should prove to be too much for this inexperienced Thunder side. The Nuggets have the third best offensive rating while the Thunder are last in the league and it could simply come down to not being able to keep up. 

NBA Pick – Denver Nuggets (-850)
NBA Spread – Oklahoma City Thunder +12 (-110)
Total Points Pick – Over 222

Milwaukee Bucks @ Utah Jazz – 9PM ET

This is the matchup of the night when Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks continue their road trip against the electrifying, league-leading Utah Jazz tonight. The Bucks had won three straight road games and five straight overall before a one point loss to the Suns on Wednesday while the Jazz have now won 16 of their last 17 games and have a franchise record start to the season with a 20-5 record. 

Utah’s 131-118 win over Milwaukee back on January 8th was the start of this 17 game stretch and they will certainly want to continue it and complete the season sweep here tonight. Tuesday’s 122-108 win was set up with a 42 point third quarter, led by Donovan Mitchell’s 36 points and nine assists. However it was a full team effort with Rudy Gobert ending up with 18 points, 12 assists and three blocks while Joe Ingles, who was starting in place of the injured Mike Conley, finished with 24 points on 5/11 from deep and 9/10 from the line, along with six assists. 

On the other side of the ball, they have the back to back MVP to worry about, as Giannis is coming off a 47 point, 11 rebound and five assist night, but missed the game winning jumper as time expired to end the Bucks’ streak. Khris Middleton continued to thrive as a ball handler with Jrue Holiday out due to COVID-19, putting in 18 points and 11 assists. 

Milwaukee gave up a 12 point halftime lead and trailed for most of the fourth quarter, something they won’t be able to do against a Utah side that makes the most threes per game, has the fifth best offense and fourth best defense in the league. The Bucks are just 7-7 on the road while the Jazz are an incredible 10-2 at home and we like Utah to keep rolling in this one. 

NBA Pick – Utah Jazz (-135)
NBA Spread – Utah Jazz -1.5 (-110)
Total Points Pick – Over 232.5 (-110)

Memphis Grizzlies @ Los Angeles Lakers – 10PM ET

The third and final matchup for the season between these two sides and the Memphis Grizzlies will be out for revenge after the Los Angeles Lakers took both games on their home court earlier this season. The Grizzlies will be coming in with plenty of momentum, snapping a four game skid with a 130-114 win on Wednesday night. 

Kyle Anderson led Memphis with 27 points on 10/14 shooting and 6/8 from deep in just 24 minutes while Jonas Valanciunas and Ja Morant both finished with double doubles. Memphis only led by two points at halftime but a 31-15 third quarter put the game out of reach. 

The story for this one is that the Lakers have gone to three straight overtime games and LeBron James has played 40+ minutes in all three contests. He is now listed as questionable for this one, along with Anthony Davis who has missed the last two with an achilles problem. James led the way with 25 points, six rebounds, seven assists and two steals in Wednesday’s 114-113 overtime win while Montrezl Harrell had 20 points, four rebounds and two blocks off the bench. 

It is tough to know the outcome given James and Davis are both on the injury report but the former hasn’t missed a game all season and the latter hasn’t played since Saturday so if they do suit up, the Lakers win this easily. 

NBA Pick – Los Angeles Lakers (-290)
NBA Spread – Memphis Grizzlies +7.5 (-110)
Total Points Pick – Under 219 (-110)

Cleveland Cavaliers @ Portland Trail Blazers – 10PM ET

The Cleveland Cavaliers continue their West Coast road trip and will be looking to turn things around against the Portland Trail Blazers, who are on the quick back up after hosting the Sixers last night. Cleveland have dropped both games on the road from this trip, most recently a thumping at the hands of the Nuggets. 

The Cavs gave up 133 points in a 38 point loss on Wednesday nights with Jarrett Allen being the only Cleveland player who could get anything going offensively. He finished with 18 points and 10 rebounds but the Cavs never really had a chance after a 17-34 first quarter. 

They will be hoping to catch Portland on an off night as the Blazers are just 1-2 on the second nights of back to backs and had a tough fought contest against the Sixers last night. However, Portland had a great game last night, doing something that no other team has done so far this season. Beat the Philadelphia 76ers when all five of their starters played. Damian Lillard had 30 points and seven assists while Carmelo Anthony came alive in the fourth to spark the win, finishing with 24 points off the bench.

We like Portland to ride their momentum from a massive win last night and get over the struggling Cavs in this one.

NBA Pick – Portland Trail Blazers (-185)
NBA Spread – Portland Trail Blazers -4 (-110)
Total Points Pick – Under 222 (-110)

Orlando Magic @ Sacramento Kings – 10PM ET

The Sacramento Kings have had two nights off and will look to get back on track after having their four game winning streak snapped by the Sixers on Tuesday night. The host an Orlando side that was extremely competitive but ultimately couldn’t keep up with the Warriors last night. 

The Magic used a 36-18 quarter to take a eight point lead into halftime but were outscored 64-50 after the main break and Golden State shot ahead. Nikola Vucevic had a big game with 25, 13 boards and five assists while Dwayne Bacon and Terrance Ross enjoyed more opportunity, with over half of the regular rotation not playing, scoring 20 a piece. It will be tough to back it up against an in-form Sacramento side however.

The Kings have had wins over the Celtics, Nuggets and Clippers but weren’t able to overcome the Sixers on Tuesday, falling 111-119. De’Aaron Fox is making a claim to be a first time All Star and showed up in a big way against Ben Simmons and the Sixers defense, finishing with 34 points, 10 assists and six rebounds. The Kings actually held a four point lead heading into the last quarter but could only manage 20 fourth quarter points and gave up their lead. 

Orlando is just 2-3 on the second night of back to backs and Sacramento has been one of the more in-form sides over the last two weeks and we like them to get back on the winners list tonight at home.

NBA Pick – Sacramento Kings (-380)
NBA Spread – Sacramento Kings -6.5 (-110)
Total Points Pick – Under 223 (-110)

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*Odds and spreads correct at time of publication, courtesy of Bet365. 

Tim is a keen follower of all American sports, in particular the NBA and NFL. He has followed both sports for over a decade and would happily sit down and watch every game, regardless of who is playing! No matter the sport, whether it be NFL and NBA or even MLB, NHL, UFC and all sports, Tim covers it from every angle, staying in the loop to bring you the most up-to-date information and the best picks and predictions on the market.

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