Friday nights are my favorite nights to bet on the NBA. Tonight will not disappoint, as we have a nine-game NBA slate with only a few stinkers on the card. Odds for all of these matchups, as always, are powered by PointsBet.
Indiana Pacers vs. Orlando Magic (+4.5) Total: 222.5
It feels like the Pacers and Magic play every night, but truth is this is only their second meeting of the season. I remember the first game where the Pacers emerged victorious in overtime. I was backing Orlando and won, so I will be backing Orlando again tonight. Myles Turner is out for Indiana, while Domantas Sabonis and Malcom Brogdon are questionable.
Edge: Magic +4.5
Memphis Grizzlies vs. New York Knicks (+1.5) Total: 215.5
The Grizzlies strut into Madison Square Garden as winners of four-games in a row, while the Knicks are on a two-game losing streak. Memphis is averaging 122 points per game over the course of their winning streak and are getting contributions from the whole team.
The Knicks, however, will not allow the Grizzlies to score that many points tonight. This will be a tight game with both teams playing good defense, but I think Memphis pulls it out in a close one.
Edge Finder Tip: The Grizzlies are 14-5-1 ATS vs Eastern Conference teams this season.
Edge: Grizzlies -1.5
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Boston Celtics (-8.5) Total: 228
The Boston Celtics need to win this game tonight and while I feel like they will, I’m not so sure they will cover the spread. Both the Celtics and Timberwolves are 5-5 ATS in their last 10 games. Minnesota is going to put up a fight and very well may cover the spread, however the safe bet is the Under since the Celtics are riding a seven-game Under streak. Evan Fournier will be sidelined for the Celtics.
Edge: Under 228
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Chicago Bulls vs. Atlanta Hawks (-1.5) Total: 228.5
The Hawks are a short home favorite tonight vs. the Bulls and I’m willing to bet dollars to donuts that they will be the most bet-on team in the NBA tonight. With Danilo Gallinari and Clint Capela both questionable for Atlanta, this has all the makings of a trap game for Atlanta, no pun intended.
Chicago has played better as of late, as the team has won each of its last three-games. Owning an 18-6 ATS record on the road this season, the Bulls are worth a Money Line bet tonight.
Edge: Bulls +1.5
Philadelphia 76ers vs. New Orleans Pelicans (+6.5) Total: 228.5
The 76ers will head down south for the weekend, with their first stop taking place in New Orleans to face a banged-up Pelicans squad that has Zion Williamson and Lonzo Ball both listed as questionable.
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Philadelphia needs to win games like this to keep pace with Brooklyn for the top spot in the Eastern Conference. Philadelphia is 10-7-1 ATS as road favorites this season.
Edge: 76ers -6.5
Charlotte Hornets vs Milwaukee Bucks (-7.5) Total 223
There are two main factors to consider when handicapping this game: Giannis Antetokounmpo is questionable for the Bucks and the Hornets are playing their fifth-straight road game. I fade teams this deep into road trips.
Edge: Bucks -7.5
San Antonio Spurs vs. Denver Nuggets (-8.5) Total: 220
The red-hot Denver Nuggets look to win their seventh-straight game tonight. What is even more impressive is that out of those seven-straight wins they have covered the spread six times. Jamal Murray is questionable again tonight.
The Spurs are also on a streak of their own: a four-game losing streak both straight up and ATS. Things are falling apart in San Antonio and I don’t see how it could get better tonight.
Edge Finder Tip: In games where the Total falls between 215 and 220, the Spurs and Nuggets are a combined 13-9-1 to the Under.
Edge: Under 220
Washington Wizards vs. Golden State Warriors (-4.5) Total: 239.5
The Total in this game opened up at a whopping 240.5 and my first thought was that this was an easy Under. Since then, the line has move even further down by a full point. I then remembered that when a Total is set this high, it’s for a reason. This season in games where the Total closes between 235 and 240, the Over hits 57% of the time.
Edge: Over 239.5
Houston Rockets vs. Los Angeles Clippers (-12) Total: 221.5
For my money, the Clippers scored the best win of the NBA season last night with their victory over the Suns. Kawhi Leonard will probably rest tonight, but it won’t make a difference and they should handle the Rockets.
Edge: Clippers -12
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