There are eight games in the NBA on Thursday night as we close out February and head down the home stretch to the playoffs.
While it lacks a marquee game, Friday’s slate features some matchups that could produce bigger games than normal from some of the league’s star players.
We’ll be looking to exploit those with our PrizePicks selections.
Let’s take a look at some of my favorite projections to target.
Thursday’s NBA PrizePicks best bets
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander more than 43.5 points + rebounds + assists
The Thunder might be the most surprising team in the NBA this season as they currently hold the No. 2 seed in a loaded Western Conference.
Guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has emerged as a true superstar and MVP candidate.
He is averaging 31.2 points per game, with a career-best averages of 5.6 rebounds and 6.5 assists.
His matchup is excellent against a Spurs team that plays at the fourth-fastest pace in the league and ranks just 24th in defensive efficiency.
San Antonio has allowed the fifth-most points, third-most rebounds and fifth-most assists to opponents this season.
The last time SGA faced the Spurs, he put up 48 P+R+A in just over 29 minutes, as the Thunder cruised to a 26-point victory.
Fred VanVleet #5 of the Houston Rockets drives around Jaylin Williams #6 of the Oklahoma City Thunder. Getty Images Fred VanVleet more than 15.5 points
Rockets point guard Fred VanVleet has played four games since returning from an injury that occurred before the All-Star break.
He shot the ball well in two of those games and put up at least 20 points, while he struggled in two others and scored fewer than 10 points.
One of the games he shot well was against the Suns, putting up 23 points in a four-point Rockets victory.
For the season, VanVleet has averaged 16.3 points per game.
He is among the league leaders in minutes per game, typically playing into the upper-30s while averaging 36.6 per game.
The Suns have an average defense and have allowed the 15th-most points in the league this season.
Assuming he shoots up to his season standards, VanVleet should have no trouble beating his points projection.
Betting on the NBA?
Jimmy Butler more than 21.5 points
The Heat get a tough matchup in Denver and will need Jimmy Butler to have a big night if they hope to pull off the road upset over the defending champions.
Butler has been playing well recently despite missing a few games.
He has scored at least 22 points in six of his last eight games, and he averages 21.5 points per game this season.
Tyler Herro is out again, which means Butler will need to handle a larger scoring role.
He sees an increased usage rate and averages 24.7 points per 36 minutes with Herro off the floor this season.
Butler should be able to beat his points projection despite the tough matchup.
