Get set for the weekend with an 8-game NBA slate this Friday. The action starts as early as 1 pm ET on Prime Video as the Houston Rockets and Detroit Pistons get us going. Later on in the evening we have a clash between the Nuggets and Bucks to wrap up the double-header, tipping off at 9.30 pm ET.
My NBA Best Bet picks include spread and total selections, continue reading below to see them. I’d also encourage you to head over to our NBA Picks page for in-depth predictions on the side and total, but let’s focus on my bets for Friday’s slate!
Rockets vs Pistons Best Bet: Pistons -4 (-112)
Duncan Robinson is in lethal form shooting the ball for Detroit, plus the Rockets remain without Steven Adams. The latter part likely results in the home team dominating the glass here, that should be enough to give the Pistons a win and cover in this clash.
Suns vs Hawks Best Bet: Over 223.5 (-112)
The first meeting saw 246 points between the two teams. Atlanta’s defense has once again fallen off track – their last 5 games have seen them allow 122, 132 and 141 points in 3 of them. Phoenix is one of the elite shooting teams in the game right now. Take the points.
Celtics vs Nets Best Bet: Celtics -8.5 (-106)
I’m surprised the spread isn’t in the double-digits for this one. Brooklyn scored just 66 points in their 54 point loss to the Knicks the other day, no way they bounce back against an elite team like the Celtics, right?
Kings vs Cavaliers Best Bet: Over 233.5 (-115)
This is the perfect game for the Cavs to showcase their offensive potential. Sacramento allows over 120 points per game, they just conceded 122 and 130 in their last 2 games vs Toronto and Miami.
Pelicans vs Grizzlies Best Bet: Grizzlies -5.5 (-114)
The Grizzlies have nobody other than Trey Murphy III to worry about here. They’ve beaten the Pels in both meetings so far, scoring 128 and 133 points in those wins. They did lose in their first game back from Europe, but I’m willing to let that one slide as they had a lot of travel in those 7 games abroad where they played two games.
Nuggets vs Bucks Best Bet: Nuggets +6.5 (-114)
The turbulence around Giannis have made the Bucks a unhealthy environment and I’m just staying away from them until that’s resolved. Denver has been solid without Jokic, despite a lot of people expecting them to fall off. They just beat Milwaukee at home not too long ago with 3 key starters not playing. I’ll take my chances with the road team here.
Pacers vs Thunder Best Bet: Thunder -16.5 (-114)
These two teams are headed in completely different directions after last year’s NBA Finals duel. The Thunder need to continue winning in the highly competitive West, while the Pacers are just looking to survive at this point. Winning by 17 is a lot, but should be doable for the defending champs vs a team that’s gotten blown out in 3 of its last 4 losses.
Raptors vs Trail Blazers Best Bet: Raptors -4 (-110)
Two evenly matched teams in my opinion, but the edge goes to the Raptors only because Portland is on a 2nd night of a back-to-back. Toronto won the first meeting at home, I’m sure they can win this one by 5 points at least.
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