NBA Best Bets for February 26: The Heat Will Bounce Back Tonight
-
Spread Astaire
- February 26, 2025
Top NBA Pick: Miami Heat -1 (-110) at BetOnline (visit our BetOnline Review)
We have exciting matchups in the NBA tonight for our Wednesday slate.
The first is the Philadelphia 76ers who will travel to New York to take on the Knicks. Also, the Atlanta Hawks will be in Miami to face the Heat. When these teams take the floor, who should you back at the top-rated sportsbooks to make the winning NBA picks?
Philadelphia 76ers vs. New York Knicks
Wednesday, February 26, 2025 – 07:00 PM ET at Madison Square Garden
The Philadelphia 76ers are one of the biggest disappointments in the NBA this season.
They had hoped to be title contenders this year but instead are at 20-37 and in 12th place in the Eastern Conference. They have lost eight games in a row and come into this game at 1-9 in their last 10. Their most recent game was on Monday night where they lost by 32 points at home to the Chicago Bulls.
The New York Knicks are in a small slump but it is not nearly as bad as Philadelphia’s. They lost two games in a row. However, those losses were against the best two teams in the Eastern Conference. The Knicks lost by 37 in Cleveland against the Cavaliers on Friday night and then followed that up with a disappointing 13-point loss to the Boston Celtics. Still, the Knicks aren’t playing all that badly and are 6-4 over the last 10 games.
Have the Sixers Given Up?
When looking at this game, we have to take one thing into account: the Sixers have given up on their season.
Philadelphia has a top-six protected Lottery pick, and with everything going wrong, they have decided to forgo their chances of winning this season and look to protect the pick.
We also get the New York Knicks coming off two losses in a row eager to get back on track. This should be a big game for Jalen Brunson, who will feast against Philadelphia’s weaker perimeter defense. Brunson has been huge for the Knicks this year, averaging 26 points a game and 7.4 assists per game.
Knicks’ Dominance
Philadelphia has not only lost, they have not covered the spread either. The Philadelphia Sixers are 0-9 ATS in the last nine games.
These two teams have faced twice and the Knicks covered in both games. This is a great bounce-back opportunity for the Knicks and a good spot to fade a 76ers team that has decided it’ll be much better to go for the lottery pick.
Take the New York Knicks – 9.5.
NBA Pick: New York Knicks – 9.5 (-110) at BetOnline
Atlanta Hawks vs. Miami Heat
Wednesday, February 26, 2025 – 07:30 PM ET at Kaseya Center
The Atlanta Hawks and Miami Heat will run it back after squaring off in Atlanta on Monday night. The Hawks were able to get the victory at home in a low-scoring game 98-86. This was the fewest points allowed for the Atlanta Hawks in the last four seasons.
In that game, Hawks star Trae Young had 11 points and 14 assists. This ended a three-game losing streak that the Hawks were suffering.
Heat’s Struggles Continue
The Miami Heat are struggling and the loss to Atlanta on Monday night was their 6th loss in seven games. The Heat got off to a slow start and missed 13 of their first 14 3-point attempts. They have been struggling since they traded Jimmy Butler to the Golden State Warriors. Since the trade, Miami is 2-6.
Last Monday, I suggested a bounce-back spot for the Minnesota Timberwolves after we saw a stellar 3-point shooting from the Oklahoma City Thunder. Here, we will expect the same type of bounce back (although in the other direction) as we do not think that Miami will shoot as badly as they did in Atlanta. They ended up being 7-40 for a 17.5% 3-point percentage.
The Heat are still trying to integrate their new addition, Andrew Wiggins, who will be a good contributor for their team. However, he is still learning their system. Also, after two huge games in which he had scored 40 points, Heat guard Tyler Herro had a terrible game in Atlanta. Both players should play much better tonight.
Redemption Game
The Heat will certainly use this great opportunity for them to get back on track against an Atlanta team that they have traditionally had success against.
This season, Miami has failed to cover against Atlanta but tonight they will turn that around. The Heat are 9-7 as a home favorite and they will improve on that mark tonight.
Take the Miami Heat -1.
NBA Pick: Miami Heat -1 (-110) at BetOnline
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.
