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The latest DraftKings promo code offers new users $300 in bonus bets if their first $5 wager wins. The NBA trade deadline is today, which will conclude one of the wildest NBA trade deadline weeks in history, as plenty of former All-Stars were moved before the final 24 hours of the deadline. Two teams with their pivotal players in their lineups largely unaffected by deadline week are the Los Angeles Lakers and Philadelphia 76ers, who go head-to-head from L.A. on Thursday at 10 p.m. ET. The model is backing the 76ers to cover as 4.5-point underdogs as one of its Thursday NBA best bets at DraftKings, as Philadelphia enters on a five-game winning streak. 

The model is also backing the Mavericks to cover as 6.5-point underdogs against the Spurs in its Thursday NBA picks. Also, one of SportsLine's top experts has locked in a college basketball pick on UC Santa Barbara vs. UC Davis at 9 p.m. ET. 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 16 of the 2025-26 NBA season on a sizzling 38-16 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

  • Mavericks (+6.5) vs. Spurs (-108)
  • 76ers (+4.5) vs. Lakers (-118)
  • UC Santa Barbara (-3.5) vs. UC Davis (-112)

Combining the three picks into a Thursday parlay at DraftKings would result in a payout of +636 (risk $100 to win $636). Bet it at DraftKings here: (Odds subject to change)

Mavericks (+6.5) vs. Spurs (-108)

Once again, the Dallas Mavericks have made a franchise-altering trade, this year trading away the star piece they returned in last year's Luka Doncic trade. The Mavericks sent Anthony Davis to the Wizards as part of an eight-player deal that will leave the Mavericks shorthanded on Thursday, but Dallas has been playing without Davis for the past month anyway, so his specific absence shouldn't have a significant effect on Thursday. Dallas No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg has emerged over the last few games, averaging 39.7 ppg over his last three contests and scoring at least 34 points in all three games. The Spurs are playing the second half of a back-to-back after defeating the Thunder on Wednesday, and after a key win before a matchup against a perceived inferior opponent, San Antonio could rest or limit the minutes of some key players on Thursday. With that, the model projects Dallas to cover in 62% of simulations. Bet the Mavericks to cover at DraftKings here:

76ers (+4.5) vs. Lakers (-118)

The 76ers have won five straight games, including the first two of their five-game West Coast roadtrip. Their first two away wins have come in California with a 128-113 victory over the Clippers on Monday before knocking off the Warriors, 113-94, on Tuesday. Joel Embiid didn't play on Tuesday in the second half of a back-to-back, and although he's officially questionable on the injury report as Philadelphia plays it careful with him and his history of knee injuries, the fact that he sat Tuesday should actually help his chances of playing and performing well on Thursday. Along with Embiid scoring at least 30 points in six of his last eight games, Tyrese Maxey is fifth in the league in scoring at 28.9 ppg this season. The 76ers are 16-6 against the spread on the road this season. Meanwhile, the Lakers are 2-2 over their last four games, and have lost three straight to teams currently in the top six of their conference. The model projects the 76ers to cover in 53% of simulations. Bet the 76ers to cover at DraftKings here:

UC Santa Barbara (-3.5) vs. UC Davis (-112)

"Rest assured UCSB has this return date vs. Davis circled as the last game the Gauchos lost came four weeks ago at the Thunderdome vs. these same Aggies," legendary SportsLine expert Bruce Marshall said. "Since then, it's been a straight ascent for Joe Pasternack's troops, with seven wins on the trot. UCSB has buckled down on defense, allowing a tick above 65 ppg during the win streak, while former St. Mary's/UConn Aidan Mahaney and ex-Baylor/Utah Miro Little have emerged as one of the best backcourt tandems in the Big West. Meanwhile, Jim Les and his UCD will be hard-pressed to match one of their best efforts in the first meeting, when six scored in double-digits and the Ags shot 52% from the floor in a mild 93-86 upset." Bet UC Santa Barbara to cover at DraftKings here:

Want more NBA and college basketball on Thursday?

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