The NBA rolls on with a nice early slate for us Aussies on Thursday, February 26. Tips start around 11:10 am, so here are three games that look like good value based on the lines, form, home/road splits and the latest injury updates. Good luck to everyone following along!
NBA Betting Tips: Thursday, February 26th 2026
Oklahoma City Thunder at Detroit Pistons (11:10 am AEDT)
This has real Finals-preview vibes with the West's top team travelling to face the East's frontrunner at Little Caesars Arena. OKC has been razor-sharp on both ends of the floor, putting up strong points while keeping opponents in check with one of the league's best defences. Road games are never easy, though, and they've got a few injury questions around some important rotation pieces (couple of core guys listed as questionable with minor abdominal and ankle concerns), which could disrupt their usual flow against a hostile crowd and a team playing with purpose. Their ATS record sits at 31-28 overall, with a 15-14 mark on the road.
Detroit has turned into a proper force at home. They defend hard, force turnovers, and get balanced scoring from multiple guys. No major new injury red flags have popped up for them lately, just the usual minor stuff that's already baked in. Their ATS record stands at 31-25 overall, including 17-11 at home. As clear favourites, they have the rest advantage, the home energy and plenty of motivation to make a statement against the league's best.
I see this turning into a physical, lower-scoring scrap where defence rules early. The +7.5 on OKC gives the Thunder a fair bit of cover if they can hang around, but Detroit's home dominance and current edge make them the side to back on the spread.
Detroit Pistons -7.5
$1.90 (1 unit)
Golden State Warriors at Memphis Grizzlies (11:40 am AEDT)
Warriors roll into FedExForum with their usual mix of veteran savvy, perimeter shooting and quick-strike offence. They've been a bit streaky on the road this season, but when they get hot from outside they can take over games quickly. This matchup gives them a favourable look against a team that's really struggling to stay healthy and competitive.
Memphis is dealing with a brutal injury situation right now. Several key contributors are sidelined long-term with elbow, ankle, knee and calf problems, and the latest reports show more guys either questionable or flat-out ruled out. That has wrecked their defence and left them exposed in recent matchups, especially against teams that can stretch the floor and move the ball well.
Golden State should be able to dictate tempo, exploit the thin rotation and build a lead that grows in the second half. The -3.5 line feels pretty generous considering how shorthanded the Grizzlies are and how vulnerable they've looked in similar spots. I like the Warriors to cover comfortably here.
Golden State Warriors -3.5
$1.86 (1 unit)
San Antonio Spurs at Toronto Raptors (11:40 am AEDT)
Spurs have been one of the standout stories in the West, playing clean, efficient basketball with good balance on offence and defence. They travel well and don't get rattled easily, which makes them dangerous in spots like this. Their ATS record is 33-24 overall, with a 16-12 mark on the road.
Toronto can scrap and compete at home, but they've had real trouble containing stronger Western teams that play with pace and purpose. They're also missing their starting centre and a few bench pieces, which thins out their rotation and makes it harder to match up physically or sustain energy over 48 minutes.
San Antonio holds the clear advantage in overall talent, momentum and execution right now. They should be able to set the tone early, control the glass and keep Toronto from mounting big runs. The -7.5 spread feels fair and playable given the gap in current form and roster health.
San Antonio Spurs -7.5
$1.90 (1 unit)
