Light night in the NBA, and a night where Charles Barkley should have plenty to say about the sorry state of the Los Angeles Lakers as they drag their injured and dejected selves into Boston to face the NBA’s best home team with the NBA trade deadline exactly one week away.

This is a very, very special night for the talking heads on ESPN to be watching closely, too. The channel that covers exactly one NBA team very closely will have nothing but Lakers hatred all day Friday, coming at you at a very, very high decibel level.

That is the sad state of NBA coverage on national television (there are worthy print journalism alternatives) as the second month of 2024 begins. We do not see much of a change from the television folks, because Lakers coverage (good or bad) equals ratings, and ratings trump good storytelling about other teams who are actually interesting and good. Everyone in Minnesota understands what we are talking about.

The trick tonight is trying to determine how badly the Lakers and Grizzlies will lose. Memphis is fielding what is basically a G-League lineup and will be playing the Minnesota of the East, a.k.a. the Cleveland Cavaliers, coming off one of the best months in their history.

So, let’s have a go at making some money off all of those negative predictions coming true, allowing you to choose something else to do Friday other than watching Hate TV.

Best NBA Parlay Picks Today – Thursday, February 1, 2024: 4-Leg Parlay Picks (+1202)

Lakers vs. Celtics Prediction and Pick

This line was at 10.5 early this morning and may continue to move even larger if gamblers believe that LeBron James and Anthony Davis (both listed as questionable) will end up sitting out, either because their injuries are legitimately bothering them, or because they want no part of being shown up on national TV.

Leg-1 Parlay Pick: Celtics – 11.5 vs. Lakers (-110)  

Pacers vs. Knicks Prediction and Pick 

If the Celtics-Lakers game gets out of hand, we hope TNT will switch over to what should be an electric atmosphere at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks are the talk of the New York sports scene more than they have been since Patrick Ewing was playing, which is not a shot at Carmelo Antony, just a statement of truth. The Pacers are formidable and will keep this one tight, but the ‘Bockers are just too hot right now.

Leg-2 Parlay Pick: Knicks – 3.5 vs Pacers (110)

Cavaliers vs. Grizzlies Prediction and Pick

Cleveland has its full lineup back together as Darius Garland and Evan Mobley have returned from extended injury absences, and the Cavs are coming off a January in which they went 11-2. They are currently tied in the loss column with the Bucks and are facing a Grizzlies team that has won 13 road games and five home games. Go figure that, eh?

Leg-3 Parlay Pick: Cavaliers – 7.5 vs Grizzlies (-110)

76ers vs. Jazz Prediction and Pick 

The Jazz have gone over in seven of 10, and defense gets to take a holiday tonight with Joel Embiid not defending the basket. Utah has plenty of players who can light it up, but their defense is prone to taking nights off, which we saw last weekend in Brooklyn when they surrendered 147 points to the Nets. The Sixers have backups who can produce points, and the Jazz are very deep with capable scorers and speed players.

Leg-4 Parlay Pick: Jazz-Sixers over 237.5 (-115)

Putting those four picks together produces a 4-leg parlay with odds of +1202, meaning a $10 wager would return $137.02, which can get you 10 nice tickets to the next Memphis Grizzlies home game. Good luck!

Odds are subject to change*

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