NBA DFS Cheat Sheet Today for PrizePicks: Feb. 20
The NBA officially returns from the All-Star Break a loaded nine-game slate on Thursday. Among the highlight matchups will be the Bucks hosting the Clippers, as well as Celtics vs. 76ers at 7 p.m. ET and the Suns vs. Spurs at 9:30 p.m. ET on TNT.
We’ve got everything you need in today’s NBA DFS Cheat Sheet for PrizePicks below, including the top offense vs. defense mismatches, pace up spots, PrizePicks NBA picks, and today’s injury report.
PrizePicks is the easiest way to get real money action on tonight’s NBA games. Pick more or less on player stat projections — from points to rebounds to combos — and get paid if your picks are correct.
Let’s dig into the NBA DFS slate for Thursday below.
PrizePicks NBA DFS Cheat Sheet: Feb. 20
Below, find everything you need to know for the nine-game NBA Thursday slate for NBA DFS on PrizePicks.
- NBA Offense vs. Defense Mismatches
- NBA Pace Report
- NBA PrizePicks Picks Today for NBA DFS
- NBA DFS Injury Report
NBA Offense vs. Defense Mismatches for Thursday
Here are the top offense vs. defense mismatches across the NBA Thursday games.
Bulls vs. Knicks — 7:30 p.m. ET
- The Knicks rank fourth in offensive rating (122.9) over their last 10 games, and second (119.9) for the season.
- The Bulls rank 28th in defensive rating (120.4) over their last 10 games, and 27th (116.4) for the season.
- The Bulls allow the second-most rebounds per game (46.9) and the second-most assists per game (29.2) in the league.
- Knicks C Karl-Anthony Towns has scored at least 40 points in both of his last two games.
- Towns recorded 46 points and 10 rebounds the first time he faced the Bulls this season. In their second meeting, he produced 44 points and 16 rebounds.
Celtics vs. 76ers — 7 p.m. ET
- The Celtics rank sixth in offensive rating (120.4) over their last 10 games, and third (118.8) for the season.
- The 76ers rank 21st in defensive rating (117.3) over their last 10 games, and 23rd (115.0) for the season.
- The 76ers rank 23rd in 3-point shooting percentage allowed (36.8%) in the league.
- Celtics F Jayson Tatum is averaging 29.4 points, 7.0 rebounds, 6.4 assists and 4.3 3-pointers over his last seven games.
- The first time that he faced the 76ers this season, Tatum recorded 32 points, 15 rebounds, and four 3-pointers. In their second meeting, he finished with 35 points, seven rebounds, 11 assists, and five three-pointers.
NBA Pace Report for NBA Thursday
Here are the spots to target for quick-paced play with additional possessions in the NBA Tuesday games for NBA DFS on PrizePicks.
Bulls vs. Knicks — 7:30 p.m. ET
- The Bulls play at the third fastest pace (103.65) in the league this season, and the third fastest (102.50) over their last 10 games – Pace Down Spot
- The Knicks rank 23rd in pace of play (98.18) this season, and 13th (100.26) over their last 10 games – Pace Up Spot
Grizzlies vs. Pacers — 7 p.m. ET
- The Grizzlies play at the fastest pace (104.53) in the league this season, and the second fastest (102.85) over their last 10 games – Pace Neutral Spot
- The Pacers play at the sixth fastest pace (100.67) in the league this season, and the sixth fastest (101.69) over their last 10 games – Pace Neutral Spot
Magic vs. Hawks — 7:30 p.m. ET
- The Hawks play at the second fastest pace (104.19) in the league this season, and the fastest pace (103.92) over their last 10 games – Pace Down Spot
- The Magic rank 29th in pace of play (96.63) this season, and they rank 27th (96.59) over their last 10 games – Pace Up Spot
💰 Use PrizePicks Promo Code "Playbook": Claim free $50 with your first $5+ Lineup
NBA PrizePicks Picks Today for NBA DFS
Here are three of the top NBA DFS picks for today, Thursday, Feb. 20, for PrizePicks.
Celtics G/F Jaylen Brown – Points + Rebounds
- Celtics G/F Jaylen Brown played in the All-Star Game, setting him up to return after missing the Celtics last two games.
- Brown is shooting 49.7% from the field over his last 10 games, compared to his season mark of 46.1%. Last season, Brown shot 49.9%.
- Brown logged 43 minutes the first time he faced the 76ers this season, scoring 23 points on 10-for-23 shooting from the field. He also contributed seven rebounds and four assists.
- Brown played 42 minutes the second time the Celtics faced the 76ers and contributed 21 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists. While he only shot 2-for-7 from behind the arc, he shot 9-for-17 overall from the field in the game.
Hawks G Caris LeVert – Points + Rebounds + Assists
- The Hawks acquired G Caris LeVert in a trade that sent De’Andre Hunter to the Cavaliers.
- LeVert is averaging 10.6 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 3.6 assists over 24 minutes per game this season.
- Levert has logged at least 32 minutes in both of his last two games.
- After recording 18 points, eight rebounds, two assists, and three three-pointers against the Magic, LeVert produced 20 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists, and two three-pointers against the Knicks.
- The Hawks will continue to be shorthanded with F/C Larry Nance Jr. (knee) and G/F Vit Krejci both out multiple weeks.
- Not only did LeVert play well against the Magic last week, but he also faced them earlier in the season while a member of the Cavaliers. In just 22 minutes, he recorded 13 points, three rebounds, seven assists, and two three-pointers.
Bulls F Matas Buzelis – Points
- Bulls F Matas Buzelis has logged at least 26 minutes in six of the last seven games. During that span, he averaged 14.4 points and shot 59.1% from the field.
- In February, Buzelis is averaging 26.7 minutes and 14.8 points per game.
- Buzelis has started four straight games for the Bulls, logging at least 29 minutes in two of those games.
- Bulls F Patrick Williams (knee) has been ruled out, leaving the team especially thin at forward.
- The return of G Lonzo Ball could send Buzelis to the bench, but with Williams sidelined, Buzelis still has a path to playing at least 25 minutes.
NBA DFS Injury Report
Below, find they key NBA DFS Injury news for the NBA Thursday games.
Bulls vs. Knicks
- Knicks G Josh Hart (knee) has been ruled out. It will be just his second missed game of the season. He has averaged 38 minutes over 53 games.
- Knicks F OG Anunoby (foot) is out again tonight.
- Knicks F/C Precious Achiuwa is expected to play more with Hart out. Achiuwa has started each of the last five games with Anunoby out, averaging 12.4 points and 8.2 rebounds.
Suns vs. Spurs — 9:30 p.m. ET
- Spurs C Victor Wembanyama will likely miss the rest of the season with a blood clot. He has missed just six games all season.
- The Spurs traded C Zach Collins to the Bulls at the trade deadline, so they could go small and give F Jeremy Sochan added minutes as a small center.
- Sandro Mamukelashvili will also be called on to play minutes at the five, especially against Suns' 7-foot center Nick Richards.
Clippers vs. Bucks — 8 p.m. ET
- Bucks F Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) is listed as questionable. He has missed six straight games for the Bucks.
- Bucks F/C Bobby Portis played in five of those games, averaging 16.4 points, 11.6 rebounds, and 4.2 assists.
- Bucks G Damian Lillard (hamstring) is listed as questionable. He did not play in the team’s last game before the break, but he did play in the All-Star Game.
- Bucks G Ryan Rollins started in place of Lillard against the Timberwolves, but finished with just four points and three assists across 26 minutes.
Lock In Your NBA DFS Lineups on PrizePicks
With nine games upcoming in the NBA on Thursday, we have a lot of NBA DFS picks to consider. PrizePicks is the best way to get in on the real-money action as the NBA returns from the All-Star Break.
There is a wide variety of player stat projections and squares on the board, so you can build your lineup however you’d like — with no salary or positional restrictions.
Just pick at least two player stat projections to build your Lineup on PrizePicks. Use a 6-Pick Lineup of all Demon picks to reach up to 1000x payouts.
Use PrizePicks to build a Lineup of your NBA picks, and check out the Playbook daily for more NBA picks.
More Fresh Picks & Insights
