NBA Thursday trend plays: Fade 76ers on the road
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The NBA trade deadline is rapidly approaching, which means Thursday's five-game slate could get a little dramatic before tipoff. For now, here are the top betting trends and angles for tonight's games:
Orlando Magic (-2.5, 205.5) at New York Knicks
Nobody would mistake the Knicks for a good team, but they shouldn't be getting points here during a 7-2 run against the spread. The Magic are 2-8 ATS in their last 10 and in a prime letdown spot with this game sandwiched between bouts against the Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks. Orlando is also 6-1 to the under following an outright loss this season.
Trend play: Knicks +2.5, under 205.5
New Orleans Pelicans (-4.5, 231) at Chicago Bulls
If a pair of losses to two of the NBA's top teams scare you off the Pelicans bandwagon, you're missing out. New Orleans is 16-5 ATS since Dec. 23 with a stellar 7-1 ATS record against teams with losing records. The last seven of those games went over, while the Bulls are riding their own five-game over streak.
Trend play: Pelicans -4.5, over 231
Philadelphia 76ers at Milwaukee Bucks (-8.5, 227)
The ever-reliable Bucks have been a bit inconsistent ATS in recent weeks, but Philadelphia is a worthy fade all on its own. The Sixers have gone 1-9 ATS in their last 10 road games and are 9-18 ATS this year in such contests, which is tied for the worst mark in the NBA. They're also 2-8 ATS in their last 10 against teams with winning records.
Trend play: Bucks -8.5
Houston Rockets at Los Angeles Lakers (-7.5, 235.5)
The Lakers are starting to find their rhythm again amid an emotional two-week stretch, scoring 21 points during the first 3:31 of the fourth quarter in their win over the San Antonio Spurs. That sort of burst should help against the Rockets, who are 2-7 ATS in their last nine road games and 4-7 ATS in their last 11 against Western Conference foes.
Trend play: Lakers -7.5
C Jackson Cowart is a betting writer for theScore. He's an award-winning journalist with stops at The Charlotte Observer, The San Diego Union-Tribune, The Times Herald-Record, and BetChicago. He's also a proud graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill, and his love of sweet tea is rivaled only by that of a juicy prop bet. Find him on Twitter @CJacksonCowart.