NBA February 4, 2026

The Raptors at 30-21 have been one of the most pleasant surprises in the NBA this season, and a lot of that has to do with Brandon Ingram. Since arriving from New Orleans in the February 2025 trade, Ingram has given Toronto the scoring punch and isolation ability they've been lacking for years. Paired with Scottie Barnes, who continues to develop into a legitimate All-Star, the Raptors have built something special in the North. Their home record has been particularly impressive, as evidenced by a staggering 19-1 stretch against Minnesota in their last 20 home meetings.

Minnesota at 31-20 comes in riding high off Anthony Edwards' 39-point explosion in their last game. Edwards has been sensational all season, averaging over 27 points per game while emerging as one of the league's most electric offensive players. Karl-Anthony Towns' departure created a void, but Edwards has filled it and then some. The Wolves have legitimate star power, even if their supporting cast can be inconsistent. Rudy Gobert continues to anchor the defense, giving Minnesota one of the league's best rim protectors.

The historical dominance Toronto has held over Minnesota at Scotiabank Arena is remarkable. A 19-1 run is almost unheard of in the modern NBA, and while some of those games came with different rosters, the home court advantage remains real. The UNDER has hit in seven of the last ten meetings between these teams, suggesting a grind-it-out affair could be in store. With the spread essentially a pick-em, this one could go either way, but betting against the Raptors at home against the Wolves has been a losing proposition for nearly two decades.

The late-night slate opens with a compelling cross-conference clash at the Intuit Dome. Cleveland at 30-21 has been solid all season, with Donovan Mitchell continuing to establish himself as one of the league's elite guards. Mitchell is averaging 28.8 points per game and has been the engine that makes everything go for the Cavaliers. Cleveland comes in hot, posting a 4-1 ATS record and 6-1 straight up record over their last seven games. When Mitchell is cooking, this team can beat anyone in the league.

The Clippers at 23-26 have been maddeningly inconsistent, but their home record has been a bright spot. LA is 10-2 ATS in their last 12 games at the Intuit Dome, suggesting that Steve Ballmer's new palace has been a legitimate advantage. Kawhi Leonard continues to be Kawhi Leonard when healthy, averaging 27.6 points per game with his trademark efficiency. The issue has always been keeping him on the floor, but when he's available, the Clippers can hang with anyone.

The historical trend here favors the OVER, which has hit in six of the last eight meetings between these franchises. Both teams have enough offensive firepower to push this one past the 221.5 number if it turns into a shootout. Cleveland being a road favorite in LA speaks to the respect the market has for what Mitchell and the Cavs have built, but fading the Clippers at home has been a losing proposition lately. This feels like a coin-flip game that could swing either way in the fourth quarter.

Two of the league's most disappointing teams meet in Milwaukee for what shapes up as a battle of underachievers. The Pelicans at 13-39 have been decimated by injuries and roster turnover all season. Brandon Ingram was traded to Toronto, gutting what little offensive identity New Orleans had, and they've been rudderless ever since. Zion Williamson continues to battle health issues, and the supporting cast simply isn't good enough to compete with even mediocre opponents. This has been a lost season in the Big Easy.

Milwaukee at 18-29 has been the league's biggest disappointment, and there's no sugarcoating it. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard were supposed to form a superstar duo that would terrorize the East. Instead, the chemistry has never clicked, the defense has been porous, and the Bucks find themselves in the play-in mix rather than competing for home court advantage. The Fiserv Forum has provided little refuge, and the organization is at a crossroads about how to move forward.

The 9.5-point spread is massive for a Bucks team that has been this unreliable. However, New Orleans is truly dreadful, and even a dysfunctional Milwaukee squad should be able to handle them at home. Giannis typically dominates inferior opponents when motivated, and with the Bucks' season slipping away, expect a motivated effort. The 222.5 total feels right for two teams that can score but struggle mightily on the defensive end. This is probably a stay-away spot, but the Bucks should cover if they show any competence.

The late-night West Coast action concludes with a meeting between two teams heading in very different directions. Memphis at 19-29 has been inconsistent all season, but when Ja Morant is healthy and engaged, the Grizzlies can still hang with anyone. Morant remains one of the most electric players in the NBA, capable of highlight-reel finishes and game-changing plays on any given night. The problem has been consistency and health, two issues that have plagued Memphis since their 56-win campaign a few years ago.

Sacramento at 12-39 has been in freefall since De'Aaron Fox was traded to San Antonio. Zach LaVine arrived in the return package and has been putting up numbers, averaging 24+ points per game since joining the Kings. But LaVine has never been a winner at the NBA level, and there's no indication that's changing in Sacramento. The Kings are playing out the string of a lost season, focused more on ping-pong balls than playoff positioning. Domantas Sabonis continues to stuff the stat sheet, but it's been empty calories for a team going nowhere.

The 230.5 total is the highest on the board tonight, and it's justified. Neither team plays defense, both teams want to run, and this has all the makings of a track meet. Memphis giving 6.5 points on the road seems like a lot, but Sacramento is truly bad right now. The Grizzlies should be able to impose their will in transition against a Kings team that struggles to get back defensively. If Morant is feeling it, this could get ugly in a hurry. Expect points, fast breaks, and minimal resistance at the rim.