Thursday has two-thirds of the league in action as the final week of February 2026 draws to a close. It features 10 contests on a full NBA slate with start times ranging from 7:00 PM ET to 10:00 PM ET. Can the Lakers cover the 5.5-point spread as road favorites against the Suns? Will the Timberwolves win by 6+ points at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood against the Clippers? I’ll make picks for both contests below. Read on for our Thursday NBA Best Bets Feb. 26 article.
NBA Best Bet: Phoenix Suns +5.5 over Los Angeles Lakers
I like Phoenix here. The Suns are primed to cover the 5.5-point spread by leaning into their “back against the wall” mentality. They have proven to be a gritty 17-14 ATS as underdogs this year and are even sharper at home, where they boast an 8-5 ATS record as home dogs on the campaign.
Phoenix excels in bounce-back scenarios, carrying a 15-10 ATS mark after a loss in 2025-26. Furthermore, the Suns’ 23-14 ATS record on one day of rest proves they can maximize their recovery time to stay competitive. Expect a locked-in Phoenix squad to keep this divisional clash tight until the final buzzer. Final score projection: PHOENIX SUNS 112, LOS ANGELES LAKERS 110.
NBA Best Bet: Los Angeles Clippers +5.5 over Minnesota Timberwolves
I’d take the Clippers in this game. The Clippers are well-positioned to cover the 5.5-point spread as home underdogs on Thursday, largely due to their recent surge and historical success in this matchup. Boasting an impressive 18-11 ATS record as an underdog this season, the Clippers have proven they thrive when they’ve been discounted.
The Clips’ reliability is even more pronounced at home, where they are 5-3 ATS as home underdogs this year. Having covered in 5 of their last 7 meetings against Minnesota and 5 of their last 6 games overall, the Clippers’ momentum and tactical familiarity should keep this contest within a single possession. Final score projection: LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS 108, MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES 106.
Thursday NBA Best Bets Feb. 26
- Phoenix Suns +5.5
- Los Angeles Clippers +5.5
Follow: Twitter/X · Bluesky · Facebook
Responsible Gaming
For help and resources, visit our Responsible Gaming page or the National Council on Problem Gambling.
Affiliate Disclosure
We may receive affiliate commissions if you sign up through links on our site. Read our full Affiliate Disclosure.