Our free NBA picks are out for Monday, February 28th, 2022! Make sure you check our NBA picks before the action kicks off.
Look below to find our free NBA picks for the best five games on today’s schedule!
Minnesota Timberwolves @ Cleveland Cavaliers – 7pm ET
The Minnesota Timberwolves hit the road for just one game when they travel to Cleveland on Monday night to take on the Cavaliers. The Timberwolves have won three of their last five games, but suffered a loss last time out, 102-133, to the 76ers. The Cavaliers managed to put an end to their three game losing streak last time out, as they got the win over the Wizards, 92-86.
Jeffery Thomas
Cleveland will look to extend their eight-game home winning streak when they face the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday night. Their last game out was a tight battle with the Wizards on Saturday that they pulled out 92-86. That win snapped a three-game losing streak that they had in an east coast road trip in Philadelphia, Atlanta, and Detroit. Isaac Okoro was a big help in their win over Washington despite not putting up much on the statsheet. He got put on Kyle Kuzma, who was going off up until Okoro got put on him in the fourth quarter. The Wizards only scored one bucket in the last 5:49 of the game. They will have a huge task against the high powered offense of the Timberwolves in this game, who average 113.1 points a game.
It will be a battle of two all star centers (Karl Anthony Towns and Jarret Allen) and the first leg of a back-to-back for the Wolves, who host the Warriors on Tuesday. They were beat down by the Sixers 102-133 in James Harden’s debut with Philadelphia. This sets up a big game for KAT and the Wolves. Chris Finch, head coach for Minnesota, spoke about featuring him even more in the offense going forward, as they feel he’s been underused recently. I like a bet on the over for his points as he’ll be very involved. As for the game, with Darius Garland and Caris LeVert still sidelined, there won’t be enough offense for Cleveland to keep up with this high octane offense and I like Minnesota to get this win.
Jeffery’s NBA Pick: Minnesota Timberwolves (-120)
Michael Lantz
The Minnesota Timberwolves had an outstanding win coming out of the All-Star break, as they beat the Memphis Grizzlies 119-114. The following night the Timberwolves had to play the second part of a back-to-back, with their opponent being a Philadelphia 76ers team that was debuting James Harden. Philly ran the floor with the Wolves, but Minnesota’s young core had to have been pleased with their victory against the Grizzlies in what is certainly a potential playoff matchup. On Monday they’ll try to beat another rising team in the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Cleveland bound pic.twitter.com/pdFleCWeij
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) February 27, 2022
Cleveland started out the post All-Star break with a depleted backcourt. Darius Garland, Caris LeVert, and Rajon Rondo have all suffered injuries, which resulted in an upset loss to the lowly Detroit Pistons last week. Luckily Cleveland got it together and we’re able to focus on defense when playing the Washington Wizards Saturday night, winning 92-86. Now they’ll face their toughest opponent after the break in the Minnesota Timberwolves. While LeVert and Rondo will continue to be sidelined, Garland is questionable. Whether or not he returns could be a dealbreaker in this one, but imagining he’s not 100%, I’ll go with this exciting Minnesota team to pick up a win.
Michael’s NBA Pick: Minnesota Timberwolves (-120)
Noah Dunlap
The Cleveland Cavaliers look like they may be trying to get back on track after a three-game losing streak, as they knocked off Washington in close fashion on Saturday night. The Cavs have been one of the most surprising teams in the league this year, despite multiple injuries, and I think they’re going to be fine moving forward. They will still be without Rajon Rondo in this one, but Darius Garland is at least questionable, which has the chance to be big news for this Cleveland squad.
They take on a Minnesota team in this one that has arguably the best trio in basketball when they’re all healthy, as they feature D’Angelo Russell, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Anthony Edwards. The biggest problem is keeping all of them on the floor at the same time, as that’s something that would have the potential to be a difference maker. After struggling early in the year, they’ve picked up their play as of late, and I think that continues. With those three being healthy, and a decently deep bench, I think this is a squad that has a real chance to sneak into the postseason, and could potentially cause some problems, depending on who they face. For this one, give me Minnesota on the road, as I think they go into Cleveland and sneak away with a close one.
Noah’s NBA Pick: Minnesota Timberwolves (-120)
Toronto Raptors @ Brooklyn Nets – 7.30pm ET
Two teams from the Atlantic Division, the Toronto Raptors and the Brooklyn Nets, will go toe-to-toe on Monday night. The Raptors have lost four of their last five games, including their last two in a row, to the Hornets and Hawks. The Nets managed to take down the defending champs in their last game, beating the Bucks, 126-123.
Jeffery Thomas
It’s been a rough go of it for Toronto since they’ve returned from the All-Star break. They have lost back-to-back games by over 20 points to the Hornets and Hawks and will be searching for answers in the first game of this home and home against Brooklyn. Their last game was on Saturday and was a 100-127 loss to the Hawks that moved them to 32-27 on the season, which has them at 7th place in the East. Directly below them in the standings are the Brooklyn Nets, who hold a record of 32-29. They got a big win over the Bucks on Saturday, led by Kyrie Irving and his 38 points.
He won’t be eligible for this game, with it being a home game, but now they have Seth Curry, who they acquired at the trade deadline, to step up in his absence. They will also still be without Kevin Durant, who is already ruled out for the next two games with his sprained MCL. Even without Kyrie Irving, Ben Simmons, and Kevin Durant I have to side with the home Nets in this game with how bad the Raptors have looked. Give me the Nets to cover and maybe even win outright.
Jeffery’s NBA Pick: Brooklyn Nets +3.5 (-110)
Michael Lantz
The Brooklyn Nets pulled off a massive win on Saturday night, as they were able to defeat the Milwaukee Bucks in Milwaukee without Kevin Durant and Ben Simmons. Kyrie Irving took charge, scoring 38 points and the team got some muscle down low from Andre Drummond who recorded a double-double and had a clutch block on Giannis Antetokounmpo toward the end of the game. It was a confidence booster for the Nets, as they beat a top Eastern Conference opponent without their best player and another All-Star in Simmons. They’ll hope Saturday night’s play translates over to Monday as they face a Toronto Raptors team that’s one game in front of them in the Eastern Conference standings.
Final pic.twitter.com/DzMavpY54g
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) February 27, 2022
After an uneven start to the season that had plenty of injuries, the Raptors have been getting it together lately, now up to seventh place in the Eastern Conference. Unfortunately, since the All-Star break, Toronto has come out flat on both sides of the ball. They lost 93-125 to the Charlotte Hornets on Friday and then 24 hours later, lost to the Atlanta Hawks 100-127. OJ Anunoby’s presence has certainly been missed, but him alone is no excuse for the Raptors to be getting blown out. While the Nets will still have their fair share of injuries, they’re feeling confident after a big win against the Bucks—unfortunately with this game being back in Brooklyn that means no Kyrie Irving (not for another week at least). I’ll pick Toronto to end their skid against a Nets team that’ll be missing their three All-Stars.
Michael’s NBA Pick: Toronto Raptors (-156)
Noah Dunlap
The Toronto Raptors have been an absolute roller coaster of a ride this year, as they looked really good early on, and then faded in a major way. Then, as they began to get more healthy, they played much better, and started looking like one of the best teams in the East. Now, they’ve lost four of their last five, and are once again struggling, and the question is simply, why? They’re healthy for the most part, and it seems strange that they’re struggling the way they are, but the good news is that I don’t think it continues. In the end, I think they’ll be fine, and probably sneak into a mid-level seed out East.
As for this one, they take on a Brooklyn Nets team that has been in free fall since Kevin Durant went out. They had lost 11 of 13, before picking up a win in their last outing, a game against the Milwaukee Bucks. That win should give them a bit of momentum, and with them reporting that they should be getting KD back within the next week or two, I think this is a team that is primed to once again make a pretty good run. For this one, give me Brooklyn at home against a struggling Toronto team, in a game that ends up being close.
Noah’s NBA Pick: Brooklyn Nets (+132)
Chicago Bulls @ Miami Heat – 7.30pm ET
The Chicago Bulls kick off a two game road trip on Monday night when they take on the Miami Heat. The Bulls had their six game winning streak snapped last time out, as they went down to the Grizzlies, 110-116. The Heat have won eight of their last nine games, including their last three in a row, which brings their season record to 40-21.
Jeffery Thomas
The Bulls winning streak was finally snapped at the hands of the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday by the score of 110-116. They are desperate to get their perimeter defenders back (Lonzo Ball and Alex Caruso), and their absence was really felt against Ja Morant, who went off for a Memphis franchise-record 46 points. Even in the loss, DeMar DeRozan was still able to extend his streak of 30 or more points to 10 games. The Heat were able to extend their winning streak out to three games after beating the Spurs 133-129. Bam Adebayo led the way with 36 points and 7 rebounds.
Tyler Herro and Jimmy Butler each had 27 points of their own and Kyle Lowry had a double-double with 13 points and 10 assists. He will be out of this game on Monday due to personal reasons. The Heat lead the Bulls by one game for the 1 seed in the East and not having their starting point guard will be a big missing piece. Tyler Herro will take on more of a ball handling role, which he’s thrived in earlier in the season but there’s no replacement for the veteran experience Lowry gives you. This Bulls team will be licking their chops after the loss to Memphis and with the 1 seed up for grabs, they will want to take this game from Miami and I think that they will.
Jeffery’s NBA Pick: Chicago Bulls +3.5 (-110)
Michael Lantz
This has all the makings to be Monday’s best game, as the Eastern Conference’s top two seeds face off, with the Chicago Bulls visiting the Miami Heat. The Bulls’ DeMar DeRozan has been sensational lately, going on a scoring streak that’s rarely been matched. DeRozan scored 35 or more points in eight straight games, while shooting 50% from the field. Unfortunately, that came to an end on Saturday as he shot 10-29 with 31 points in a loss against a very good Memphis Grizzlies team. Chicago currently sit one game out of the Heat for first place. So they’ll be hungry to get the W in this one.
A bucket creating buckets. Career season with 21 games to go.@raf_tyler // #6MOTYLER pic.twitter.com/8gHKeExMqT
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) February 27, 2022
Meanwhile, the Miami Heat have won their last three, including a blow out win over the Knicks on Friday, followed by a tight win over the San Antonio Spurs (who were resting their best players) on Saturday. Miami will need to be in top form as they face a Bulls team that has an intense 1-2 scoring attack in DeRozan and Zach LaVine. Miami’s defense has been one of the league’s best and even though they looked a bit rusty in the Spurs game, you have to think they were saving up a bit of energy for this one after playing for the second time in 24 hours on Saturday. DeRozan was bound to break his impressive scoring streak eventually, so now the pressure is off this MVP candidate a bit. Still, I haven’t always been convinced with the Bulls this year when they play top teams. With this one being in Miami and the Bulls still being without the likes of Lonzo Ball and Alex Caruso, give me the Heat.
Michael’s NBA Pick: Miami Heat -3.5 (-110)
Noah Dunlap
This is a matchup between what are probably the two best teams in the Eastern Conference this year. The Miami Heat are sitting atop the conference right now, with a 40-21 record, and have one of the deepest, most balanced roster in all of the league. The roster features Jimmy Butler, Tyler Herro, Bam Adebayo, and Kyle Lowry, though it has been announced that Lowry is going to miss this one. Even without him in the lineup, I think this is one of the best rosters in the league, as Bam has emerged as one of the most athletic big men in the league, and Tyler Herro is arguably the best player in the NBA coming off the bench. Now they take on the Chicago Bulls, in a game that is sure to be exciting.
Chicago is the two-seed in the conference, at 39-22, and are coming off a loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday that came down to the wire. They’re a team that made major moves in the offseason to become a contender, and that’s paying off in massive ways right now. DeMar Derozan is playing at an MVP-level, and with Zach LaVine still playing solid ball, they’re a team that has shown the ability to compete against anyone. In the end though, this one is taking place in Miami, and the Bulls are still without Lonzo Ball, which has shown to have at least a bit of impact, so give me the Heat in a tight one in this huge matchup on Monday night.
Noah’s NBA Pick: Miami Heat -3.5 (-110)
San Antonio Spurs @ Memphis Grizzlies – 8pm ET
The San Antonio Spurs will play their final road game for this trip when they face off against the Memphis Grizzlies. The Spurs have gone 4-3 so far this trip, and last time out they lost to the Heat, 129-133. The Grizzlies are back on track after dropping two games in a row, they won their last game against the Bulls.
Jeffery Thomas
The Spurs had their short two game winning streak snapped in their last game against Miami 129-1339. This is the last game of a long nine game road trip and it will not be an easy one as they get the Memphis Grizzlies. San Antonio went to Miami and gave the Heat a battle, only losing by 4 with no Dejounte Murray, Keldon Johnson, or Jacob Poetl though so they have a scrappy bunch that can give some competing efforts. They are 24-37 on the season though, so they don’t have much to play for but pride at this point. The Grizzlies on the other hand are playing for a long playoff run, sitting at 42-20 on the year and 3rd in the West. They are hoping their last game against the Bulls, which was a statement victory, will start up another winning streak.
Ja Morant set the franchise-record for most points scored in a game against Chicago (46), making an even stronger case for the most improved player and MVP race. The Grizzlies will be back in the grind house for this game against the Spurs and this should be a straight forward victory. San Antonio is a team that relies on outscoring their opponents to win rather than playing any defense, and that’s not the formula to beating this Memphis team. The Grizzlies have one of the best offenses in the league and play inspired defense, especially at home so they will clamp down and shut this Spurs attack down, and get this cover.
Jeffery’s NBA Pick: Memphis Grizzlies -8.5 (-110)
Michael Lantz
The Memphis Grizzlies didn’t let a loss against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday get them down, as they went into Chicago on Saturday and beat the Bulls 116-110. It was a huge win against the Eastern Conference’s second seed as Ja Morant made up for an uninspired appearance against the Timberwolves by dropping 46 points against the Bulls. He’ll look to keep it going against a hungry, young San Antonio Spurs team.
good morning. pic.twitter.com/V47cKkUNgX
— Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) February 27, 2022
On Friday, the Spurs won a thrilling 157-153 double overtime win against the Washington Wizards. Only thing was, they had to turn around less than 24 hours later and take on the number one seed Miami Heat. The team decided to rest some of their best players including Dejounte Murray and Keldon Johnson, but their reserves still put up a fight, only losing to the Heat by four. The Spurs are really starting to play with a lot of heart, so while the Grizzlies should be able to win this one, I’ll still pick the Spurs to cover.
Michael’s NBA Pick: San Antonio Spurs +8.5 (-110)
Noah Dunlap
This matchup is one that has the potential to be close, but I’m not actually sure it will be. The Memphis Grizzlies are surprising virtually everyone with their play this year, led by Ja Morant, who is rightfully at least making a case for the MVP award. They sit at the three seed in a really competitive Western Conference, though they are going to have to play nearly flawless basketball down the stretch to hold off the Utah Jazz. On top of Ja, they’re getting real help from Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr., who have been the key role players, playing catalyst to the Grizzlies’ success. The one concern has been extremely shaky defensive play, which is going to prove to be their kryptonite if they don’t find a way to fix that side of the ball in a hurry.
San Antonio comes in as a shaky team all the way around, as they’re extremely young, with limited talent, though they have played a bit better as of late, largely behind the play of Dejounte Murray. They are coming off a loss to the Miami Heat on Saturday night, though they did put up a good fight, especially considering the fact that it was a mere 24 hours after a double overtime win over Washington. In the end, I think the Spurs manage to keep this one close, but the Grizz come out with the tight win at home.
Noah’s NBA Pick: Memphis Grizzlies (-375)
Charlotte Hornets @ Milwaukee Bucks – 8pm ET
The Charlotte Hornets hit the road on Monday night in the NBA, when they travel to Fiserv Forum to take on the Milwaukee Bucks. The Hornets are playing on back-to-back nights, and last time out they lost to the Pistons, 126-127, in overtime. The Bucks will be hoping to get back on track after losing four of their last five, including their last two in a row.
Jeffery Thomas
The Hornets are coming off a heartbreaking overtime loss at home to the Pistons on Sunday and now have to turn right back around and travel to Milwaukee for a matchup against an angry Bucks team. Milwaukee is also coming off a loss on Saturday, against a short handed Brooklyn team that only had one of their stars in action. Bobby Portis had 30 points and a career-high 8 three pointers in the loss. They committed 15 turnovers and missed 13 free throws so the loss was due to all the points they left on the floor.
As I mentioned, it was a very sloppy performance for the Bucks and having Sunday to stay home and regroup, I expect a huge bounce back performance for the champs. The Hornets are a good team to get things back on track against too, as they are a very inexperienced team that doesn’t believe in playing much defense. Milwaukee will be able to score at will and a double digit win is not too much to ask for.
Jeffery’s NBA Pick: Milwaukee Bucks -10 (-110)
Michael Lantz
While the Charlotte Hornets continue to be an offensive force, their defense has struggled, as they allow the third-most points per game in the NBA. A glowing example of this came last night, when they lost 126-127 to a Detroit Pistons team that’s 30 games under .500. Now, 24 hours later, they’ll have to suit up and take on Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks.
“I know you can shoot it, but eight?!”
The best of @BPortistime mic’d up. pic.twitter.com/cLiEYTtr4v
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) February 28, 2022
Even worse for the Pistons—the Bucks are going to be playing mad. On Saturday they lost at home to a rival Brooklyn Nets team that was without Kevin Durant and Ben Simmons. They won’t be looking to make a pattern of this as they sit in fifth in the Eastern Conference, where they’re .5 games behind the Cavaliers for fourth, but only one game in front of the streaking Celtics. While the Hornets can bring it on offense, they are playing one day after an overtime defeat. With this one also being in Milwaukee, I expect the Bucks to run the court and wash away that Saturday loss to the Nets.
Michael’s NBA Pick: Milwaukee Bucks -10 (-110)
Noah Dunlap
The Charlotte Hornets are one of those teams that are hard to figure out. They have real talent, though it’s young for the most part, and while the offense is elite, the defense absolutely isn’t. They’ve managed to hang around being a playoff team in the Eastern Conference for virtually the entire year, but in the end, if they aren’t able to figure out the defensive issues I think they’re going to find themselves coming up just short. Now they take on a Milwaukee Bucks squad that, while struggling mightily as of late, has to be looking at this one as a game that can get them back on track.
They’ve lost two straight, and four of their last five, and now you have to think they come into this one looking to make a bit of a statement. I think they’re still an elitely talented team, though they haven’t really played like it as of late, as right now they just aren’t able to give Giannis much help. For this one though, I’m not sure that it’s actually that big of a deal either way, as I think Giannis has the ability to virtually single-handedly take control of this one down low, leading the Bucks to a tight win, especially with it being at home in Milwaukee. Give me Milwaukee in a tight one, but one that could potentially sneak it’s way into overtime before we get a winner, which is why I’m taking Charlotte at +10.
Noah’s NBA Pick: Charlotte Hornets +10 (-110)
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*Odds and spreads correct at time of publication, courtesy of FanDuel.
