The current DraftKings promo code gives new users $300 in bonus bets if your first $5 bet wins. Thursday features a three-game NBA slate that features LeBron James in action as the Los Angeles Lakers host the Dallas Mavericks at 10 p.m. ET. Although James will play in the NBA All-Star Game, he’ll have time to rest after Thursday, which could lead to more minutes and larger usage. With James active and the Mavericks without multiple players, including Cooper Flagg (foot), the SportsLine Projection Model backs the Lakers to cover as 7.5-point favorites as one of its Thursday NBA best bets at DraftKings. The over/under for Lakers vs. Mavericks is 235.5, the highest total on Thursday’s NBA odds board. 

The model is also backing the Oklahoma City Thunder to cover as 13.5-point favorites against the Milwaukee Bucks in a 7:30 p.m. ET matchup that will not feature Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (abdominal) or Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf). One of SportsLine’s top experts has also locked in a college basketball bet for Northern Iowa vs. Belmont 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 the week before the NBA All-Star break on a sizzling 38-17 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

• Thunder (-13.5) vs. Bucks (-112)
• Northern Iowa (+5.5) vs. Belmont (-118)
• Lakers (-7.5) vs. Mavericks (-112)

Combining the three picks into a Thursday parlay at DraftKings would result in a payout of +541 (risk $100 to win $541). Bet it at DraftKings here: (Odds subject to change):

Thunder (-13.5) vs. Bucks (-112)

The Thunder certainly aren’t the same team without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in the lineup, but they are still 3-2 over their five games with the reigning NBA MVP out with an abdominal injury. They’ve won two of those three games by at least 27 points, with an average margin of victory of 24 points in the three wins. Oklahoma City is coming off a 136-109 win over the Suns on Wednesday to improve to 42-13 this season. Meanwhile, the Bucks are 4-4 in their eight games with Giannis Antetokounmpo out, but 1-3 against teams with a winning record. The model projects the Thunder to cover in 64% of simulations. Back the Thunder to cover at DraftKings here:

Northern Iowa (+5.5) vs. Belmont (-118)

“Belmont saw its nine-game win streak snapped in an OT loss at Bradley, and now the Bruins return home to face a Northern Iowa team they dismantled by 13 in Cedar Falls,” SportsLine expert Larry Hartstein said. “But Northern Iowa is playing much better now. The Panthers just destroyed Murray State, the MVC’s second-place team, 89-60 on the road, for their third straight win. None of Northern Iowa’s last four opponents has scored more than 60 points. While the Bruins are highly efficient offensively, the Panthers hold opponents to 26.5 percent from deep. Northern Iowa has been an underdog six times this season. The Panthers have covered five of those — the miss coming by 1.5 points at Bradley — and beaten market expectations by an average of 8.2 points.” Back Northern Iowa to cover at DraftKings here:

Lakers (-7.5) vs. Mavericks (-112)

This Dallas Mavericks lineup is certainly not what NBA fans expected to see on display at the start of the season. The Mavericks still haven’t seen Kyrie Irving this season, who remains out with a knee injury. They traded away Anthony Davis. And now, No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg, who has dominated lately, is out with a foot injury. The Lakers aren’t at full strength either, with Luka Doncic (hamstring) out, but only Doncic and Deandre Ayton (knee, questionable) are on the LA injury report. Meanwhile, Dallas has eight players on its injury report as either questionable, doubtful or out. LeBron James should be additionally rested, as he hasn’t played since Monday, and could take on a larger role with the upcoming break. The Lakers are 32-21 compared to the Mavericks at 19-34 this season, and the model projects the Lakers to cover in 67% of simulations.” Back the Lakers to cover at DraftKings here:

Want more NBA, college basketball picks on Thursday?

You’ve seen some of the model’s Thursday best bets. Now, get against the spread, total and money-line picks for all games, including the NBA, college basketball, NHL, and more, all from the model that’s simulated every game 10,000 times.