NBA Preview and Best Bets (February 18): Nets, Lakers Tangle in NBA Finals Prevew

It’s a light night on the NBA betting front, but light does not mean boring. In fact, tonight features a potential NBA Finals preview, as the champs host the sexy new contenders.

The Los Angeles Lakers have a NBA title repeat in their sights, but one of the teams that could stand in their way is the Brooklyn Nets. The Nets still have some defensive issues to work out, but who says you need defense to win, right? Both teams will be without one of their stars, so tonight’s game will not look like it may in a few months. But with LeBron James, James Harden, and Kyrie Irving all in action, this is still a can’t-miss matchup.

All NBA betting odds are via BetOnline Sportsbook as of Thursday, February 18 at. Click here for updated NBA betting odds.

February 18 NBA Betting Schedule

Toronto Raptors (13-15) vs Milwaukee Bucks (16-12), 7:30 pm ET, TNT

Brooklyn Nets (18-12) vs Los Angeles Lakers (22-7), 10:00 pm ET, TNT

Miami Heat (11-17) vs Sacramento Kings (12-15), 10:00 pm ET

February 18 NBA Betting Game of the Day

Brooklyn Nets (18-12, 7-7 away, 14-16-0 ATS, 22-8-0 O/U) vs Los Angeles Lakers (22-7, 9-4 home, 14-15 ATS, 11-18-0 O/U)

NBA Betting Matchup: Brooklyn Nets vs Los Angeles Lakers

• Spread: Nets +3 (-110), Lakers -3 (-110)
• Total: OVER 229.5 (-110), UNDER 229.5 (-110)
• Moneyline: Nets +130, Lakers -154

For an in-depth preview of this game, check out our Nets vs Lakers preview.

February 18 NBA Betting Best of the Rest

Toronto Raptors (13-15, 7-9 away, 12-16-0 ATS, 17-11-0 O/U) vs Milwaukee Bucks (16-12, 9-3 home, 13-15-0 ATS, 17-10-1 O/U)

NBA Betting Matchup: Toronto Raptors vs Milwaukee Bucks

• Spread: Raptors +7 (-114), Bucks -7 (-106)
• Total: OVER 236 (-110), UNDER 236 (-110)
• Moneyline: Raptors +215, Bucks -260

After winning five in a row, the Bucks have now lost four in a row. The latest defeat came Tuesday at the hands of the Raptors, who turned a tie game at the half into an 11-point win in Milwaukee. Should NBA betting odds still view them as a title contender? If the Nets’ struggles did not knock them down a few notches, the Bucks should not be either, given that this losing streak is without Jrue Holiday, who has missed five straight games while in the NBA’s health and safety protocol.

Holiday is out again tonight, so will the Raptors be able to repeat their Tuesday triumph?

Key Raptors vs Bucks NBA Betting Trends: The OVER has hit in the Raptors’ last eight road games, and it is 9-1-0 in their last 10 games overall. The OVER is 8-2-1 in the Bucks’ last 11 games, and it is 8-4-0 in their home games this season.

February 18 NBA Betting: The Rest

Miami Heat (11-17, 4-10 away, 9-18-1 ATS, 13-15-0 O/U) vs Sacramento Kings (12-15, 7-10 home, 13-14-0 ATS, 17-10-0 O/U)

NBA Betting Matchup: Miami Heat vs Sacramento Kings

• Spread: Heat +0.5 (-108), Kings -0.5 (-112)
• Total: OVER 226 (-110), UNDER 226 (-110)
• Moneyline: Heat -106, Kings -110

The Kings have come back down to earth after winning seven of eight, as they have lost their last four games. All four losses were at home, and the most recent three were by double digits. Can they get back on track against the Heat? The Heat are similarly in need of a win, as they have lost three in a row to halt the momentum built from a four-game win streak.

Key Heat vs Kings NBA Betting Trends: The OVER is 8-6-0 in the Heat’s road games this season. The OVER is also 12-5-0 in Sacramento’s home games.

February 18 NBA Betting Best Bets

• 1. Nets vs Lakers OVER
• 2. Raptors vs Bucks OVER
• 3. Heat vs Kings OVER