Best NBA Bets Today – Sunday, February 23, 2025
FTN Staff
Welcome back to FTN Fantasy’s NBA Power Rankings!
With the All-Star break behind us, teams are gearing up for the final stretch of the season. While the Eastern Conference has a more defined hierarchy, the Western Conference remains a chaotic battle for playoff positioning.
In the East, the Cavaliers hold a commanding six-game lead over the Celtics and are on track to secure the No. 1 seed. Boston, meanwhile, appears locked into the No. 2 seed, maintaining a comfortable four-game cushion over the Knicks. Speaking of New York, its likely second-round matchup with Boston isn’t exactly inspiring confidence among Knicks fans, given its struggles against elite competition.
The real intrigue in the East lies in the race for the final play-in spot. The Bulls currently hold the 10 seed despite offloading Zach LaVine at the deadline in an apparent attempt to tank. The Nets, who are also in full rebuild mode, remain just a half-game behind, while the 76ers – despite our model still viewing them favorably – sit another game back. In theory, Philadelphia should be the favorite to secure a play-in spot, but even at full strength, it continues to find ways to stumble.
Out West, things are far less settled. While the Thunder are all but locked into the top seed, the rest of the conference is wide open. Just 10 games separate the 2-seeded Nuggets from the 11-seeded Suns, meaning every playoff spot is up for grabs. The team to watch? The Warriors. Golden State is 5-1 since acquiring Jimmy Butler and has climbed to seventh in our rankings. The Warriors currently sit ninth in the West, but with nearly two months left in the season, plenty can change.
Every Monday, we bring you an up-to-the-minute snapshot of the league with our exclusive power rankings, powered by the FTN NBA Betting Model. These rankings adjust for recent results, injuries and news, giving you a dynamic view of the NBA’s shifting landscape. We also track which teams are trending up – and which are trending down.
But this isn’t just about rankings – it’s about giving you the edge. Whether you’re betting on the NBA or simply keeping tabs on your favorite team’s performance, our rankings provide key insights to help you make smarter decisions. Curious to see how we evaluate a specific matchup? Our NBA Betting Model is constantly updated with the latest data, and we highlight the best value picks in our NBA Bet Tracker.
Want to stay ahead of the curve this season? Don’t miss our special offer – use promo code POWER to save 10% on a subscription to FTN Fantasy. Dive deeper into the NBA with us!
Key Takeaways
The Warriors are Back in Business
The Lakers may have stolen the headlines at the trade deadline, but no move has been more impactful than Jimmy Butler’s arrival in Golden State. His individual stats won’t blow you away, but his two-way impact has been undeniable – something our model reflects, ranking the Warriors all the way up to seventh overall and fourth in the West.
Despite still sitting ninth in the conference standings, the Warriors are trending in the right direction. No team wants to see a battle-tested core of Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Butler in a playoff series. While this trio isn’t as dominant as it would have been five years ago, their postseason experience and defensive versatility make them a legitimate threat. If Golden State continues this surge, it could be a nightmare first-round matchup for any contender.
The Lakers Make a Statement
Ever since Nikola Jokić ascended to MVP status, Denver has owned the Lakers. Prior to Saturday’s showdown, Los Angeles had just one win in its last 14 matchups against the Nuggets, including the playoffs. But with Luka Dončić now in the mix, Lakers fans were eager to see if he could shift the balance of power.
The answer? A resounding yes. The Lakers crushed Denver by 23 points, snapping the Nuggets’ nine-game winning streak in the process. While our model still slightly favors Denver in a neutral setting, this was a statement win. If these teams meet in the playoffs, it could be a must-watch series.
The Knicks Can’t Win the Big Game
On paper, the Knicks are in a great position – they hold a four-game cushion for the No. 3 seed in the East and rank sixth in our model. But when it comes to competing with the NBA’s elite, they’ve been exposed.
Last week, New York had two massive tests against the Cavaliers and Celtics and failed miserably. The Knicks lost by a combined score of 260-210, with neither game remotely competitive. While getting Mitchell Robinson back will boost their defense, there’s a growing concern that this team isn’t built to hang with the league’s best. Right now, the Knicks look more like a good regular-season team than a legitimate contender.
Why are the Clippers Ranked So High?
The most surprising result from our simulation model? The Clippers rank fourth overall, despite their 31-25 record suggesting otherwise. But context matters.
Kawhi Leonard missed a significant chunk of the season, and when healthy, he remains a top-10 player in the league. Pair that with James Harden and Norman Powell, and suddenly the Clippers have a dangerous, high-upside roster. The biggest question mark isn’t talent – it’s health. If Kawhi and company can stay on the floor, they can beat anyone on any given night. But history tells us that’s a massive “if.”
Check out some more interesting NBA Information on ftnfantasy.com:
- NBA Betting Model
- NBA Prop Tool
- NBA Same Game Parlay Tool
- NBA Bet Tracker & Expert Picks
- NBA Player Ratings
- NBA Team Ratings
- NBA Player Projections
