NBA Odds & Best Bets Today: Schedule, Picks for Friday
After a light slate with some tightly contested matchups, the NBA is back on Friday with 10 games, including a prime-time clash between MVP candidates Giannis Antetokounmpo and Luka Doncic. Read on for all of our NBA picks and best bets for Friday based on the top odds.
On Friday we’ll lean on an against-the-spread underdog, an upset selection targeting a disappointing team, a prime-time total, and a player prop bet to build the bankroll.
Here are our best bets for Friday's NBA slate (odds via DraftKings Sportsbook, FanDuel Sportsbook, and Caesars Sportsbook; Pick confidence is based on a 1-to-5-star scale).
Check out our Lakers-76ers picks!
Friday's NBA Schedule and Odds
(odds via DraftKings)
- Toronto Raptors (-330) vs. Orlando Magic (+275)
- New York Knicks (-150) vs. Charlotte Hornets (+130)
- Washington Wizards (+170) vs. Indiana Pacers (-200)
- Atlanta Hawks (+235) vs. Brooklyn Nets (-280)
- Los Angeles Lakers (+165) vs. Philadelphia 76ers (-195)
- Sacramento Kings (+165) vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (-195)
- Detroit Pistons (+380) vs. Memphis Grizzlies (-475)
- Phoenix Suns (-120) vs. New Orleans Pelicans (+100)
- Minnesota Timberwolves (+120) vs. Utah Jazz (-140)
- Milwaukee Bucks (-115) vs. Dallas Mavericks (-105)
Friday's NBA Best Bets
- Spread: Hawks +7.5 (-110 via FanDuel)
- Total: Bucks-Mavericks Over 224 (-110 via Caesars)
- Upset: Hornets ML (+130 via DraftKings)
- Prop bet: Bol bol Over 1.5 turnovers (-109 via Caesars)
NBA Top Picks for Friday
Spread: Hawks +7.5 (-110) ★★★
The Brooklyn Nets are missing only Yuta Watanabe, while the Hawks are dealing with the absences of John Collins and Dejounte Murray. To make matters worse, De'Andre Hunter is also questionable.
That's probably why the public is backing the Nets, with about 70% of the public tickets on Brooklyn to cover. However, the line has still barely moved at most books. I’ll gladly fade the public.
Both teams have been bad against the spread in 2022-23, but the trends suggest Atlanta is the right play. The Nets are 5-7-1 ATS following a win, 5-6-1 ATS as a home favorite, and 2-5-0 ATS when at least a six-point favorite.
Meanwhile, the Hawks are a pedestrian 5-5-1 ATS following a loss, but 3-1-0 ATS as an underdog of at least four points. Their starters hardly played in the fourth quarter against the New York Knicks a couple of days ago. That's why the Hawks should be rested and prepared to take advantage of a Nets defense allowing the third-highest 3-point percentage in 2022-23.
Total: Bucks-Mavericks Over 224 (-110) ★★
It's a national television battle between two of the top three betting favorites for the NBA's MVP honors. The public is expecting defense, with about 65% of the tickets on the Under. However, the line keeps creeping up without any major injury news.
That makes sense when looking at the trends. Bucks games are 7-6-0 to the Over when the line is set at least 223.5 in 2022-23. But Mavericks contests are 10-3-0 to the Over when the line is set at least 218.5.
These teams have already matched up this campaign, producing 239 points. That was when the Bucks were missing Khris Middleton, their second option on offense. Bet on both teams to count on their MVP candidates to win a shootout in this projected close matchup.
Upset: Hornets ML (+130) ★★★
I'm not hesitating to fade the public here, too. About 75% of the public tickets are on the Knicks to cover as slight favorites, but the line has moved in favor of the Hornets.
The Knicks are coming off two straight wins, including an emotion-filled home blowout of Trae Young and the Hawks. New York is an abysmal 3-7-1 ATS coming off a victory. Meanwhile, the Hornets have lost three straight outings, and they need to show some pride. Charlotte is 9-7-1 ATS after a loss and 4-3-0 ATS as a home underdog of at least three points.
Since both teams have been bad in close games so far, don't play the one-possession spread. The Knicks have already won a one-possession game against the Hornets in 2022-23, and it's difficult to replicate close wins against the same opponent in the NBA. Take the plus-money value on the underdog.
Prop bet: Bol bol Over 1.5 turnovers (-109) ★★★★
The Orlando Magic are rebuilding, and part of their transition season is giving 23-year-old Bol Bol experience and valuable minutes. The volume and usage are essentially guaranteed to be high today since Orlando has ruled out five players due to injury, including starting center Wendell Carter Jr. and ball-handling guard Jalen Suggs.
Bol has committed at least two turnovers in 13 of his 21 starts, and he faces a gritty Raptors defense that forced him into five turnovers when the two teams met on Dec. 3. Over the last 15 days (essentially equivalent to the time starting center Precious Achiuwa has been injured), Toronto has forced the fourth-most turnovers per contest to power forwards, and the second-most overall.
Where to Bet on NBA Best Bets
Here are our top-rated sportsbooks:
NBA best bets made on 12/9/2022 at 11:52 a.m. ET.
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