NBA Week 18 Picks: Celtics vs Bucks, Cavs vs 76ers

The trade deadline has passed, the All-Star Break is this weekend, and teams have just over 20 games remaining, so everyone is gearing up for a playoff run. In looking at this week’s slate of games, we’ve found a couple of interesting games to bet on. Let’s take a look at those games, and we’ll give you our best NBA betting advice.

Best 2023 NBA Games to Bet On February 14th and 15th

Boston Celtics @ Milwaukee Bucks

When: Tuesday, February 14th, 2023
Where: Fiserv Forum

Time: 7:00 PM ET
TV: TNT

The Milwaukee Bucks will be coming into Tuesday night’s contest well-rested. After sweeping a three-game road trip, the Bucks got a few days of rest to recover. Now, they’ll be welcoming the top team in the Eastern Conference, the Boston Celtics, to the Fiserv Forum. The Celtics currently hold a 1.5-game lead over the Bucks. This will be the second meeting of the season for these two, as Boston defeated the Bucks in Boston in December.

Since the return of Khris Middleton from injury on January 18th, the Bucks have won 10 consecutive games. This includes their last swing out west. With Giannis Antetokounmpo making a case for the league MVP award, Jrue Holiday playing well, and Middleton returning, the Bucks look like a team ready to make a run at an NBA title.

Speaking of NBA titles, we can’t forget the Celtics. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown have been one of the best duos in the league this season. While it was rumored that Boston was in on trying to trade for Kevin Durant at the deadline, the Celtics didn’t make any major moves, as they like their rotation, and they are satisfied with how deep they can go on the bench.

This one should be a fun one to watch. With Antetokounmpo and Tatum playing well, this should be a great matchup to watch. Boston has won four straight games, and they are playing good basketball. The Bucks have one of the best home records in the league, as they’ll come into this one with a 23-5 record at Fiserv. The Celtics are no slouches on the road, as they’re 18-9 away from their home court.

With the Bucks being well-rested and on a hot streak, we expect them to be favored by 2-5 points. We like the Bucks to win this one. They’ll want revenge from their first loss to Boston, and they want to show everyone that they’re ready to challenge for the Eastern Conference and another NBA title.

Cleveland Cavaliers @ Philadelphia 76ers

When: Wednesday, February 15th, 2023
Where: Wells Fargo Center

Time: 7:30 PM ET
TV: ESPN

Only one game separates these two teams in the Eastern Conference standings, and both are looking to keep up with the Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks. The Sixers currently sit in the third playoff spot in the East, just four games behind the Celtics, while the Cavs are in fourth, five games behind Boston.

We’ll get to see a matchup of two high-scoring guards, as Donovan Mitchell and James Harden will square off. Even though Cleveland’s perimeter defense isn’t particularly strong, they do have one of the top defenses in the league. They protect the paint well, as Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley patrol the lane. Allen could give Joel Embiid some issues down low.

We like the Sixers in this one. Even though both teams are playing very well right now, the Cavs struggle on the road. The Sixers should be slight favorites, and we like them to win a tight one.