After a relatively quiet Thursday with just two games, the NBA returns with a hefty slate this Friday as 24 teams hit the hardwood. I’ve analyzed all 12 games and came up with my 3 favorite bets, which I’ve pieced together in a parlay with a mega payout. We just hit our +1111 NBA mega parlay on Wednesday, so now let’s make it 2 in a row!
Make sure you also read our NBA Picks on the spread and total for each of tonight’s 12 games.
The night starts off in Philadelphia where the 76ers are hosting a Knicks team that they’ve thoroughly dominated over the past few seasons. In total, 8 of the 10 most recent meetings between these teams have all gone Philadelphia’s way. If we expand that to the last 19 games, then that number jumps up to an impressive 17 wins for the 76ers. It doesn’t get any better for the Knicks in games played at Wells Fargo Center, where they’ve won just once in the last 11 visits.
Granted, James Harden did get injured and won’t be available in tonight’s game, but Philly gets Joel Embiid back after a brief illness, and he’s had at least 27 points in 4 of the last 5 games against New York. I expect the 76ers to get the job done here as the Knicks don’t look good right now, having lost 3 games in a row by an average of 12.3 points per game.
Be sure to check our full New York Knicks vs Philadelphia 76ers predictions
Next up, I have the biggest upset of the night happening in Detroit as the Pistons take down the in-form Cleveland Cavaliers. The Cavs have been great out of the gate, but they can’t keep winning forever. Fatigue is bound to catch up with them, as 3 of their last 5 games all went to overtime, and in 2 of those games against the Celtics, they wasted a ton of energy to get the win.
Detroit did win both of their home games against the Cavs last season by 10 and 3 points, and although they are 2-7 on the season, they still have a .500 record at Little Caesars Arena. They came really close to taking down Giannis and the Bucks a couple of games ago on the road and just 3 games ago they beat the defending champion Warriors 128-114 at home. With a couple of knocks to Donovan Mitchell, Raul Neto and Darius Garland, the Pistons have a solid opportunity to bring back the Cavaliers back down to Earth.
Be sure to check our full Detroit Pistons vs Cleveland Cavaliers predictions
Lastly, we have the Pelicans covering at home against the struggling Warriors, who are just coming off a 1-point loss last night in Orlando. It’s been a disappointing start to the season for Steph Curry and company, as they are yet to win a road game in 5 attempts. Tonight, they go up against a Pelicans squad hungry for a home victory after losing in heartbreaking fashion against the Lakers in their last game.
New Orleans did win 1 of the 2 meetings last season at Smoothie King Arena, and I am really liking their chances with a healthy Zion Williamson here. Brandon Ingram could also make a comeback, although that will be determined closer to tip-off. Of the last 10 meetings, the Warriors have won 6, but all that goes out the window as they’ve covered the spread just twice in 9 games this season. Give me the Pelicans to win by 5 points on their home floor.
Be sure to check out our full Golden State Warriors vs New Orleans Pelicans predictions
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