How to bet this week in the NBA: Pistons-Knicks, Celtics-Lakers, more

Now is the time for NBA playoff positioning to become a reality. With that, let’s take a look at the odds for the biggest games on the schedule this week (on DraftKings Sportsbook as of February 18), as well as what to know about each matchup. And check back throughout the week as games approach and odds are updated. This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you register or place a bet, FOX Sports may be compensated. Learn more about sports betting on FOX Sports. THURSDAY FEBRUARY 19 Pistons @ Knicks Spread: Knicks -4.5Moneyline: Knicks -185, Pistons +154O/U: 222.5 What you need to know: The Pistons have the best record in the NBA (40-13), but they still have that underdog glow. In fact, Detroit won and was covered as a home underdog against the Knicks on January 5. The Knicks (35-20) are once again favored in this one, which will take place at Madison Square Garden. This season, Detroit is 6-0 overall and ATS as an away underdog, and 9-1 ATS as an underdog overall. New York is 18-9 ATS as a home favorite and 20-7 overall as a home favorite. Suns @ Spurs Spread: Spurs -7.5Moneyline: Spurs -325, Suns +260O/U: 226.5 What you need to know: The Suns have been incredibly good this year, ranking seventh in the Western Conference standings with nine games remaining. 500 (32-23). The same could be said about the Spurs, who are second in the West at 38-16, good enough for the third-best record in the NBA. SA is 17-6 overall as a home favorite, but just 12-10-1 ATS as a home favorite. As an away underdog, the Suns are 9-8 ATS, but 26-15 ATS in non-division games. However, Phoenix is ​​just 5-12 overall as an away underdog. On November 2, the Suns defeated the Spurs in Phoenix, placing themselves as 5-point underdogs. On November 23, the Suns again defeated the Spurs in the desert, this time as 3.5-point favorites. FRIDAY FEBRUARY 20 Clippers @ Lakers Spread: TBDMoneyline: TBDO/U: TBD What you need to know: The Lakers are excellent ATS as a home favorite (12-5), but the same can’t be said when they’re a home underdog (2-6 ATS). On November 25, the Lakers (as the home team) defeated the Clippers, ranking as 6.5-point favorites. On December 20, on the Clippers’ home court, the Lakers failed to rank as favorites with a 1.5-point lead, losing to their city rivals. On January 22, once again on the road against the Clippers, the Lakers failed to rank as a 2.5-point underdog. SATURDAY FEBRUARY 21 Rockets @ Knicks Spread: TBDMoneyline: TBDO/U: TBD What you need to know: Houston is 5-0 ATS this season as a road underdog, despite being 23-30 ATS overall. These two teams have not yet faced each other this season. SUNDAY FEB. 22 Cavaliers @ Thunder Spread: TBDMoneyline: TBDO/U: TBD What you need to know: Is it shocking that as a home favorite, OKC is only 13-15 ATS? This is probably because it is often favored by a wide margin on its home soil. On January 19, the Thunder were favored by 6.5 points and covered easily, beating the Cavs by 32 in Cleveland. Nuggets @ Warriors Spread: TBDMoneyline: TBDO/U: TBD What you need to know: Overall, the Warriors are 17-7 when favored at home and 1-3 as a home underdog. Denver is 14-5 overall when favored on the road. The Nuggets opened the season at Golden State as 1.5-point favorites and failed to cover, losing by six. On November 7 in Denver, the Nuggets beat the Warriors by 25, becoming an easy 9.5-point favorite. Celtics @ Lakers Spread: TBDMoneyline: TBDO/U: TBD What you need to know: Boston is 12-5 overall as a road favorite this season, and 5-5 as a road underdog. On December 5, the Celtics defended their home court, beating the Lakers by 21 and becoming 8.5-point favorites.