Handicapping the NBA: Thursday Picks

Handicapping the NBA: Thursday Picks

This article is part of our NBA Picks series.

Alex Barutha

Wendell Carter under 8.5 rebounds (-106) vs. NO -- FanDuel (1:37 PM CT)

Carter has made strides since joining Orlando's starting five. He's averaged 14.8 points, 8.9 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.4 steals in the past 10 games. However, I don't think he'll reach his typical nine rebounds against Steven Adams tonight. The Pelicans allow the fewest rebounds in the NBA, and I believe Adams will focus on keeping Carter off the glass.

Ken Crites

Pistons to cover (+9) at SA -- BetMGM (10:48 AM CT)

The Pistons are bad, but they are not this bad. Tonight is the second of a back-to-back for the Spurs, who got pounded 107-87 in Miami last night. DeRozan still played 32 minutes last night for the Spurs, despite the big beat down. It's also the second of a back-to-back for Detroit, who hung tough with the Mavericks last night. The travel is pretty easy for the Pistons. While the record is ugly, I like the hustle and effort the Pistons are giving Dwane Casey. I expect San Antonio to be slower due to the busy schedule.

Jeff Edgerton

Bucks to cover (-8) vs. PHI -- DraftKings (12:50 PM CT)

The Sixers come into tonight's game with Tobias Harris and Ben Simmons either out or limited, and the only malady for Milwaukee is a minor leg cramp for Giannis. He is expected to play, and with his addition, the Sixers are outmatched at almost every position. Joel Embiid won't be able to keep things close all by himself.

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ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Alex Barutha
Alex is RotoWire's Chief NBA Editor. He writes articles about daily fantasy, year-long fantasy and sports betting. You can hear him on the RotoWire NBA Podcast, Sirius XM, VSiN and other platforms. He firmly believes Robert Covington is the most underrated fantasy player of the past decade.
Ken
An early RotoWire contributor from the 90's, K-Train returns with the grace of Gheorghe Muresan and the wisdom of Joe Gibbs. Ken is a two-time FSWA award winner and a co-host on the RW NBA Podcast. Championships incude: 2016 RW Staff NBA Keeper, 2019 RW Staff NFL Ottoneu Keeper, 2022-23 SiriusXM NBA Experts, 2022-23 SiriusXM NBA Kamla Keeper and 2023-24 FSGA NBA Expert Champions. Ken still owns a RotoNews shirt.
Jeff Edgerton
Jeff has provided sports content for numerous sports outlets and has played fantasy sports since scores had to be tabulated via newspaper. He started working with RotoWire in 2017. Originally from South Carolina, he's a lifelong Clemson fan now enjoying the sun in Los Angeles.
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