NBA Best Bets for February 26: Philadelphia Hosts Miami, Clippers Take on T-Wolves

The NBA season continues tonight presenting opportunities to bet on 10 games beginning with Charlotte facing Indiana and Miami against Philadelphia at 7 p.m. EST. It finishes with Minnesota visiting the Clippers in Los Angeles at 10 p.m. EST.

Teams can no longer wait to make their move, nor can they sit idle, as the regular season starts to wind down. Miami is only 1.5 games back of the 76ers for the No. 6-seed, while Philly has just a half-game lead on the Magic.

(Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)

I used odds from FanDuel in putting together these NBA bets for Thursday's slate of games across the league.

Miami Heat vs. Philadelphia 76ers Odds and Prediction

• Spread: Miami +2.5 at -108 | Philadelphia -2.5 at -112
• Moneyline: Miami +130 | Philadelphia -154
• TOTAL: 239.5 (-112/-108)

After winning their first two games post-All-Star break, the Heat fell to the Milwaukee Bucks Tuesday night, 128-117. The Bucks led at the half, 63-58, but the Heat took over in the third and led 93-89 heading into the fourth. Milwaukee took charge of the game again and outscored the Heat 39-24 in the fourth to seal the win.

Philadelphia had a different experience in its last game. The 76ers last played on Tuesday in a road game vs. the Indiana Pacers. Philly didn’t have too much trouble recording a 135-114 victory with the Pacers struggling hard this season.

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Looking back on the previous meeting between the Heat and 76ers to make our bet

The Heat came out on top, 127-117, when these two teams met early in the season in Philadelphia. They jumped out to a 37-27 lead after the first and led by four at the half, 71-67. The second half was competitive, but the 76ers couldn’t get control of the game. Norman Powell led the way for Miami with 32 points while Tyrese Maxey led Philly with 27 points.

• My Pick: Philadelphia ML at -154

Philadelphia is currently the No. 6 seed but is only a half-game ahead of the 7-seed Orlando Magic and 1.5 games ahead of the 8-seed Heat. Neither team has been playing well enough since the break to establish momentum. So, this game will likely come down to who can be better and make the plays that matter most.

Joel Embiid was not available for that previous matchup but should be fine today as he returned from his latest injury by scoring 27 against the Pacers. With Embiid back and Maxey in the lineup, I’m taking the 76ers to win by the ML.

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Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Los Angeles Clippers Odds and Prediction

• Spread: Minnesota -5.5 at -112 | Los Angeles +5.5 at 108
• Moneyline: Minnesota -220 | Los Angeles +184
• TOTAL: 225.5 (-112/-108)

Both teams have somewhat of a cushion to work with down the stretch. Minnesota is the current No. 5 team in the Western Conference with just a one-game lead on the Lakers, but they have a three-game cushion on the Suns (7-seed) and the play-in tournament. With a 5.5-game lead on Memphis, it looks like the Clippers should qualify for the play-in.

So, while they can’t coast down the stretch, neither team may feel as much urgency to win potentially leading to the resting of certain players.

Load management always in play for NBA matchups

Kawhi Leonard is listed as questionable with left ankle soreness. Given his history, it would not be surprising if he sat out Thursday's game. He has played in all three of the Clippers' games since the break, scoring 23 in the win over Denver and 31 and 37 in losses to the Lakers and Magic.

Minnesota comes into tonight's game with wins in four of its last five. Anthony Edwards has been on fire since the NBA All-Star break by scoring 40 in the win over Dallas, 28 in the loss to the 76ers, and 34 in the win over Portland Tuesday night.

• My Pick: Minnesota -5.5 at -112

Minnesota hasn’t been the most reliable team on the road this season (16-12 SU, 12-16 ATS). However, the Clippers will not have the firepower they’ll need to overcome the Timberwolves with Darius Garland out and Leonard questionable.

The Clippers are No. 9 in defense this season and have the benefit of playing at home. They played the T-Wolves close in Minneapolis back in December (109-106, Minnesota) and upset them there a couple of weeks ago (Feb. 8, 115-96, LA). But the Timberwolves have one of the best offenses in the NBA.

They’ll take care of business on the road.