Following a long and eventful offseason, it’s finally time for basketball once again. The 2025-26 NBA season has already featured an excellent slate of hoops that showcased all of what the best teams in each conference have to offer, along with an absolutely ridiculous performance by Victor Wembanyama that put the league on notice. Now, Friday brings a whopping 12-game slate, highlighted by a significant matchup between the Timberwolves and Lakers in Los Angeles.
You can find out our NBA picks for all of tonight’s matchups along with EVERY GAME this season, but for now, let’s dive into my NBA best bets for every game on Friday’s slate.
Bucks vs Raptors Best Bet: Raptors -1.5 (-110)
Odds available at FanDuel Sportsbook at time of publishing.
Toronto appeared to be too good to tank heading into this season, and that was absolutely the case in its season-opening demolition of the Atlanta Hawks. The Bucks, on the other hand, looked positively ordinary in a routine win over the lowly Wizards. Toronto should win its second straight game.
Celtics vs Knicks Best Bet: Knicks -5.5 (-110)
Odds widely available at time of publishing.
The Knicks offense looked like a well-oiled machine in their season-opener against the Cavaliers. That should continue against a Celtics defense that was just torched by the Sixers at home to open the campaign, particularly in the frontcourt.
Read our full Celtics vs Knicks prediction
Hawks vs Magic Best Bet: Over 230.5 (-110)
Odds available at bet365 at time of publishing.
This number keeps climbing and it’s easy to see why. The Magic finally look like they have a top-20 offense with the addition of Desmond Bane, while Atlanta’s offense should bounce back following an awful first showing on Wednesday. It certainly helps matters that Atlanta’s defense can be scored on by anybody.
Read our full Hawks vs Magic prediction
Cavaliers vs Nets Best Bet: Cavs -13.5 (-105)
Odds available at Caesars Sportsbook at time of publishing.
This feels like a prime bounce-back spot for the Cavaliers following their loss at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday. The Nets, on the other hand, might win fewer than 20 games this season. This should be a bludgeoning at Barclays Center.
Read our full Cavaliers vs Nets prediction
Heat vs Grizzlies Best Bet: Heat +3.5 (-110)
Odds widely available at time of publishing.
Miami was a pleasant surprise in its opening game of the campaign, as the Heat covered the number against a Magic team that is supposed to be one of the better units in the Eastern Conference this season. Memphis hung on for a win against the Pelicans on Wednesday, but this is a major step up in class on defense in this one.
Read our full Heat vs Grizzlies prediction
Pistons vs Rockets Best Bet: Under 226.5 (-110)
Odds available at bet365 at time of publishing.
This is a good spot to fade the Rockets offense following a double-overtime, heartbreaking loss in what was a super psychical game against the Thunder earlier this week. On the other side, Detroit will likely struggle against the size and strength of the Rockets frontcourt in this one.
Read our full Pistons vs Rockets prediction
Spurs vs Pelicans Best Bet: Spurs -4 (-108)
Odds available at Fanatics Sportsbook at time of publishing.
The market has adjusted heavily to the masterpiece from Wembanyama on Wednesday, but I still think we’re getting a point or so of value on the Spurs in this Western Conference clash. The Pelicans should have no answer for guarding the French phenom, and I can’t expect New Orleans to score all that much in the paint on the other end.
Wizards vs Mavericks Best Bet: Wizards +11.5 (-110)
Odds available at Fanatics Sportsbook at time of publishing.
The Mavericks offense could be broken, or it could have just faced Victor Wembanyama. As it stands, it’s probably best to fade Dallas’ offense with a rookie playing point guard in his first week of NBA action.
Read our full Wizards vs Mavericks prediction
Timberwolves vs Lakers Best Bet: Timberwolves -2.5 (-110)
Odds widely available at time of publishing.
This line has flipped from the open, but I still think there’s value on Minnesota at -3 or better. The Lakers appear to have real roster construction issues once again, while the Timberwolves should be able to impact the game with their excellent perimeter defense.
Warriors vs Trail Blazers Best Bet: Blazers -1.5 (-110)
Odds available at bet365 at time of publishing.
One of the best spots on the board on this slate comes out west, as the Warriors should be mentally and physically exhausted following a comeback win over the Nuggets in overtime, a game in which Steph Curry went off for 45 points on just 25 shots. Al Horford is already listed out for this game, so it wouldn’t shock me if Curry, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green played lighter minutes in the second night of a back-to-back.
Read our full Warriors vs Blazers prediction
Jazz vs Kings Best Bet: Kings -5.5 (-110)
Odds available at DraftKings Sportsbook at time of publishing.
Utah enters this matchup off a tremendous performance in a dominant victory over the Clippers at home on Wednesday. However, this is still one of the worst teams in basketball, and the Kings looked surprisingly competent on offense in their season opener.
Suns vs Clippers Best Bet: Clippers -9.5 (-110)
Odds available at Fanatics Sportsbook at time of publishing.
Speaking of the Clippers, Los Angeles was resoundingly embarrassed in a game against one of the worst teams in the NBA to open what was supposed to be a big season for this franchise. Look for Kawhi Leonard and company to pick themselves up off the mat and respond with a much more committed effort on Friday.
After TWO SGP winners last night at +480 and +400 odds, don’t miss our Celtics vs Knicks Same Game Parlay for tonight’s action!
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