loading...
League Logo
MLB
League Logo
MLB
League Logo
NFL
All
  • Loading...
loading...
Avatar
Avatar

Brad Botkin

Book Nerd

Brad Botkin is a senior NBA writer who has been with CBS Sports since 2011, the first seven as an editor, and over that time he has refined his wagering approach down to one basic rule: Do not trust your first instinct. This most often applies to the glamorous teams and players, but Overs fall into this category, too. Casual gamblers love the big teams and Overs, and the books steal value accordingly. When Brad sees a bet that screams one way, he is always intrigued to look deeper into the opposite angle. For Brad Botkin media inquiries, contact SportsLine@CBSInteractive.com.

LAST 6 NBA PICKS
+84
RECORD: 4-2-0
+84
4-2 IN LAST 6 NBA PICKS

Get Access To
ALL PICKS FROM BRAD & THE REST OF OUR EXPERTS

Get Today's Winners Here

Brad's Past Picks

Jun 23 2025, 12:00 am UTC
League
Indiana
91
@ Oklahoma City
103
+146
7-5 in Last 12 NBA ATS Picks
+139
3-2 in Last 5 IND ATS Picks
Analysis:

I'm doing it. I've picked the Thunder all along and I still think they'll pull this game out, but not by this many points. I'm pretty much all in on Indiana. If you're not by this point, that's on you.

Pick Made: Jun 22, 11:08 pm UTC on DraftKings
Jun 17 2025, 12:30 am UTC
League
Indiana
109
@ Oklahoma City
120
+146
7-5 in Last 12 NBA ATS Picks
+139
3-2 in Last 5 IND ATS Picks
Analysis:

OKC has won at least two games in every series by at least 20 points, except this one. The dam is going to give and I'm betting on it happening in Game 5 with all the momentum of stealing Game 4 and the home crowd on OKC's side.

Pick Made: Jun 16, 11:42 pm UTC on Caesars
Jun 12 2025, 12:30 am UTC
League
Oklahoma City
107
@ Indiana
116
+146
7-5 in Last 12 NBA ATS Picks
+139
3-2 in Last 5 IND ATS Picks
Analysis:

The Thunder have been by far the better team in this series. A Game 1 Indiana miracle has it tied 1-1, but OKC is too dominant defensively and the shooting hasn't even come around yet. The Thunder have won two games in every series by at least 20 points. There is another blowout coming.

Pick Made: Jun 11, 10:07 pm UTC on FanDuel
May 28 2025, 12:00 am UTC
League
New York
121
@ Indiana
130
Analysis:

The Pacers haven't had much success slowing down Brunson as it is, and now his primary defender, Aaron Nesmith, is playing on a hobbled ankle. The Knicks were way more desperate than Indiana in Game 3. Indiana isn't going to let off the gas in Game 4, and it will be largely up to Brunson to keep the Knicks attached.

Pick Made: May 27, 11:15 pm UTC on FanDuel
May 26 2025, 12:00 am UTC
League
New York
106
@ Indiana
100
+84
4-2 in Last 6 NBA Picks
Analysis:

On top of the fact that Indiana's top guys haven't shot as well at home, New York is learning quickly that playing Karl-Anthony Towns and Jalen Brunson together is creating on offensive buffet for Indiana. Those two played fewer minutes together in Game 2 and the total went easily under. I would bet on even fewer minutes for that tandem in Game 3, as Tom Thibodeau has already switched up his starting lineup.

Pick Made: May 25, 11:01 pm UTC on BetRivers
May 24 2025, 12:00 am UTC
League
Indiana
114
@ New York
109
+146
7-5 in Last 12 NBA ATS Picks
+139
3-2 in Last 5 IND ATS Picks
Analysis:

This is too many points to give to an Indiana team that has been one of the best in basketball since January 1. Stop thinking this is some kind of weird run that is going to end. The Pacers are at worst evenly matched with New York and probably a little better. I'd be tempted to take the money line, but I feel very good about six points.

Pick Made: May 23, 11:02 pm UTC on DraftKings
May 18 2025, 7:30 pm UTC
League
Denver
93
@ Oklahoma City
125
Analysis:

Nikola Jokic leads all conference semifinal players with 14.7 rebounds per game. OKC cannot keep him off the glass, and given that Jokic will likely play even more minutes in Game 7, the over is definitely the play here.

Pick Made: May 18, 6:17 pm UTC on DraftKings
May 18 2025, 7:30 pm UTC
League
Denver
93
@ Oklahoma City
125
Analysis:

Nikola Jokic played over 46 minutes in Denver's Game 7 loss to Minnesota last season. He likely goes well into the 40s again on Sunday, and given that Aaron Gordon is either out or severely diminished, Jokic will have to carry an even bigger load. No way OKC keeps him under 30.

Pick Made: May 18, 6:14 pm UTC on FanDuel
May 10 2025, 2:25 am UTC
League
Oklahoma City
104
@ Denver
113
+146
7-5 in Last 12 NBA ATS Picks
+186
3-1 in Last 4 DEN ATS Picks
Analysis:

The Thunder are the best team in the NBA and by far the best team in this series. Don't let Denver's Game 1 comeback divert your attention from what we saw in Game 2, when OKC blew the doors off. That's the real gap that exists between these teams. Too much OKC defense and depth, and not nearly a big enough spread here. Double-digit win for OKC.

Pick Made: May 10, 12:41 am UTC on FanDuel
May 05 2025, 12:30 am UTC
League
Golden St.
103
@ Houston
89
Analysis:

The Warriors, and specifically Stephen Curry, are being strangled by the Houston defense. The only way to loosen things up is for Jimmy Butler to be aggressive downhill. When he starts finishing and drawing fouls, the perimeter pressure will have to relent some. Butler knows this. It's his time. Forget every game he's played for the Warriors to this point. This is the game they got him for.

Pick Made: May 04, 10:34 pm UTC on FanDuel
Apr 29 2025, 2:00 am UTC
League
Houston
106
@ Golden St.
109
+84
4-2 in Last 6 NBA Picks
Analysis:

The Warriors are favored by 3.5-4 depending on your book, and they can certainly cover that with Jimmy Butler back. But Houston is playing in must-win territory and Butler's return might sound better on paper than it looks on the court with that pelvic deep glute contusion. I'll take the safer play and bet a little more to not have to cover.

Pick Made: Apr 29, 1:15 am UTC on DraftKings
Apr 27 2025, 12:30 am UTC
League
Houston
93
@ Golden St.
104
Analysis:

Moses Moody made three of six 3-pointers in Game 2 and Chase Center crowd will fuel him further. I continue to ride the Warriors' peripheral players getting open looks as Houston is selling out so hard on Stephen Curry.

Pick Made: Apr 26, 11:15 pm UTC on DraftKings
Apr 25 2025, 2:00 am UTC
League
Denver
83
@ L.A. Clippers
117
Analysis:

The Nuggets are doing a pretty good job of running Norman Powell off the 3-point line, but it can't last forever with the way they are having to bend their defense to Kawhi Leonard and James Harden. Powell gets loose in Game 3 after a monster shot at the end of Game 2 reversed the vibes on what was tracking as a tough outing for him.

Pick Made: Apr 25, 1:00 am UTC on DraftKings
Apr 24 2025, 1:30 am UTC
League
Golden St.
94
@ Houston
109
Analysis:

The Rockets need somebody to step up alongside Alperen Sengun to provide some offense, and this is a relatively low number for a guy who put up 19 shots in Game 1. Do you really see VanVleet missing 15 shots again? I'm betting on the big-game nerve of VanVleet on a young team in need of some offensive confidence.

Pick Made: Apr 23, 11:55 pm UTC on FanDuel
Apr 24 2025, 1:30 am UTC
League
Golden St.
94
@ Houston
109
Analysis:

Stephen Curry had three assists in Game 1 vs. Houston and that's because the Rockets sent, and will continue to send, two defenders at him. Typically, that means an outlet pass from Curry to get out of the trap and then another pass from whoever receives Curry's pass to the shooter or cutter with a 4-on-3 advantage. Curry, in other words, is the one who creates the leverage, but he's not the one who gets credited with the assist. Plus, six assists is a big number in what figures to be a low-scoring game.

Pick Made: Apr 24, 12:01 am UTC on DraftKings
© 2025 CBS INTERACTIVE INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. SportsLine and SportLine PRO are registered trademarks of SportsLine.com, Inc.FANS ONLY
In partnership with...247 Sports

FOLLOW US:

The content on this site is for entertainment purposes only and SportsLine makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the information given or the outcome of any game or event. There is no gambling offered on this site. This site contains commercial content and SportsLine may be compensated for the links provided on this site.