Thursday features NBA games like Lakers vs. Clippers, Warriors vs. Mavericks and Rockets vs. 76ers to use the latest DraftKings promo code, which gives new users $300 in bonus bets if your first $5 bet wins. The SportsLine Projection Model has found value from all three of these matchups, including backing the Warriors as 5.5-point favorites. The Warriors still have Stephen Curry, and that’s likely to be a matchup problem for the Mavericks, leaving the model confident to include the Warriors in its Thursday NBA best bets at DraftKings Sportsbook.
The model is also backing the Rockets to cover as 2.5-point favorites against the 76ers, as well as the Clippers to cover as 1.5-point favorites against the Lakers in an L.A. vs. L.A. battle. Claim the latest DraftKings promo code, where new users get $300 in bonus bets if your first $5 bet wins:
Check out our DraftKings promo code review for full details.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in betting profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past eight-plus seasons. The model enters Week 14 of the 2025-26 NBA season on a sizzling 35-15 roll on top-rated NBA spread picks dating back to last season. Anyone following its NBA betting advice at sportsbooks and on betting apps could have seen huge returns.
Thursday best bets at DraftKings Sportsbook
- Rockets (-2.5) vs. 76ers (-108)
- Warriors (-5.5) vs. Mavericks (-110)
- Clippers (-1.5) vs. Lakers (+100)
Combining the three picks into a Thursday NBA parlay at DraftKings would result in a payout of +635 (risk $100 to win $635). Bet it at DraftKings here: (Odds subject to change)
Rockets (-2.5) vs. 76ers (-108)
The 76ers host the Rockets on Thursday, and typically that would come with an advantage for Philadelphia, but that’s not what the results indicate this season. The 76ers are 11-12 at home this season, which is the same record as Houston has on the road. The 76ers are 10-13 against the spread at home this season. They are set to play Game Five of a six-game homestand, and the 76ers are 1-3 straight up and ATS at home during this homestand. Meanwhile, the Rockets have won three straight games. Kevin Durant is averaging 25.9 points per game this season for Houston, along with Alperen Sengun at 21.5 ppg and Amen Thompson at 18.5 ppg. The model projects the Rockets to cover in 70% of simulations. Back the Rockets at DraftKings Sportsbook, where new users get $300 in bonus bets if your first $5 bet wins:
Warriors (-5.5) vs. Mavericks (-115)
The Warriors had a tough initial showing in their first game following Jimmy Butler tearing his ACL, losing 145-127 to the Raptors on Tuesday. However, they had less than 24 hours to emotionally react and mentally and physically prepare for the loss of one of their most important players heading into a matchup against a team with a winning record. With more time to accept and adjust to their new-look lineup, the model expects a better performance from the Warriors (25-20) against a Mavericks team with an 18-26 record. Dallas has won three straight games, but two of those wins came against a 15-win Jazz team. The Warriors had a 126-116 win over the Mavericks on Christmas Day in a game where Butler scored only 14 points. The Warriors still have Stephen Curry, who is 10th in the league in scoring at 27.1 ppg, and the model projects Golden State to cover in 56% of simulations. Back the Warriors at DraftKings Sportsbook, where new users get $300 in bonus bets if your first $5 bet wins:
Clippers (-1.5) vs. Lakers (+100)
The Clippers defeated the Lakers at home, 103-88, on Dec. 20 in their last meeting, and the Clippers will host from Inglewood again on Thursday. The Clippers are coming off a 138-110 loss to the Bulls on Tuesday, but that was the second half of a back-to-back and that loss snapped a six-game winning streak. Kawhi Leonard (knee) missed that game, and although he’s officially questionable, there is optimism that he’ll play on Thursday. Although the Clippers are 19-24 overall, they are 11-9 at home this season. Leonard is averaging 28.2 points per game this season, with James Harden adding 26 points and eight assists per contest. The Lakers are 2-5 over their seven home games, and the model projects the Clippers to cover in 54% of simulations. Back the Lakers at DraftKings Sportsbook, where new users get $300 in bonus bets if your first $5 bet wins:
Want more NBA picks for Thursday?
You’ve seen some of the model’s Thursday best bets. Now, get against the spread, total and money-line picks for all games, including NFL, NBA, college basketball, NHL and more, all from the model that’s simulated every game 10,000 times.
