Top NBA Parlay Picks for Friday: Healthy Lakers Worth Backing?

Henry John

Last Updated: April 1, 2022 10:22 AM EDT • 3 min 33 sec read. Twitter link Google News Link

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 16: Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers dunks the ball against Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz during the first quarter at Crypto.com Arena on February 16, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

Who’s daring enough to include the Los Angeles Lakers with their NBA parlay picks on Friday? We are!

The conclusion of the NBA regular season is rapidly approaching. When it comes to constructing NBA parlays, massive slates like the one in store for Friday night will not be available much longer. Thus, bettors are advised to get in on the action while they can.

As previously mentioned, Friday night features a jam-packed NBA slate with 10 games scheduled. Plenty of postseason seeding battles will be at stake throughout the evening which will only add to the drama and excitement. From game lines to player props, there are plenty of options available when choosing NBA parlay picks for Friday's card.

Here are my top NBA parlay picks for Friday’s games (odds via DraftKings Sportsbook; pick confidence based on a 1-to-5-star scale).

Friday's NBA Parlay Picks

Detroit Pistons -4.5 (-110) vs. Oklahoma City Thunder ???Jalen Green Under 3.5 assists (-110) ???New Orleans Pelicans vs. Los Angeles Lakers (-105) ????

NBA Parlay Predictions

Pistons -4.5 (-110)

When it comes to covering point spreads, no team has been hotter of late than the Detroit Pistons. Yes, you read that correctly: the PISTONS have been covering machines! The success goes far beyond the team’s outright win and cover against the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday, too.

Dating back to Feb. 16, the Pistons have compiled a 16-4 ATS record. Coming into Friday’s road tilt against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Detroit has successfully covered the spread in three straight games.

The Pistons were active at the trade deadline. While none of the moves were made with the goal of turning into a contender immediately, they have certainly had a positive impact. Last year’s No. 1 overall draft pick, guard Cade Cunningham, continues to look the part of a superstar in the making. Point guard Killian Hayes has also been improving dramatically while big man Marvin Bagley III has contributed more than expected since arriving at the deadline.

It is worth noting that the Pistons are 0-2 SU and ATS as favorites during their recent hot streak. This combined with the fact that Friday's game is the second of a back-to-back does raise concerns. However, the Thunder are trotting out a lineup that offers next to nothing in terms of reliable production.

Look for the Pistons to get the money yet again this evening.

Green Under 3.5 assists (-110)

The upside that Rockets guard Jalen Green possesses as a scorer was well-documented even before he was drafted second overall. Sure enough, he has delivered on that promise in his rookie season. Coming into Friday’s matchup against the Sacramento Kings, Green is averaging 16.4 points per game.

Unfortunately for Rockets fans, the pre-draft concerns that Green does not contribute regularly in other phases of the game have also been justified in his maiden NBA campaign. Green has supplied only 3.3 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game this season. Note that the assists average comes up nearly one full tally shy of Friday's prop total of 3.5. Thus, the 20-year-old would need to exceed his usual production by 1.4 helpers in order for the prop to cash the Over.

Like the Rockets themselves, the Kings are a favorable matchup for opposing offenses thanks to having the fourth-worst defensive efficiency in the NBA. However, this does not necessarily mean that Green will see a significant uptick in assists. In fact, the two teams just played one another on Wednesday. Green erupted for 32 points but had only two assists.

One could argue that the level of defense being played when these two teams collide is so bad that assists aren’t even necessary to pile up points.

Lakers (-105)

Just when the entire world is hiding from betting on the preseason championship favorites, we’re looking to toss the Los Angeles Lakers in our NBA parlay picks for Friday night. Oddsmakers actually opened L.A.. as a small home favorite for this critical matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans. This is a true must-have if the Lakers hope to sneak into the postseason play-in tournament.

In March, the Lakers posted an abysmal 4-12 record. This includes having lost each of their last four games coming into Friday’s contest. The most recent defeat was on Thursday in the form of a 13-point road loss to the Utah Jazz.

Taking the above information into account, the Lakers represent a reeling team with clear personnel issues and are also set to play the second game of a back-to-back? Heck, the same Pelicans team they face on Friday just beat them straight up by eight points last weekend. What could possibly be the reason for bucking the market line move and backing L.A.?

As for the rationale behind this play, look no further than the rumblings suggesting that the Lakers are poised to get their top two players back from injury. Both LeBron James and Anthony Davis are reportedly targeting to play in this game. Even if only one makes it back, this will be a huge boost for the team’s chances.

If worst comes to worst and neither James nor Davis suits up, it's not like the Pelicans are world-beaters either. Guard Russell Westbrook could still lead the Lakers to a win on their home floor in a crucial game.

Combined NBA Parlay Odds: Pistons -4.5 (-110) + Green Under 3.5 assists (-110) + Lakers (-105) = +611

Where to Bet on NBA Parlay Picks

Here are our top-rated sportsbooks:

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SEE ALSO: All picks, odds, and sports betting news. Be sure to check out SportsbookReview.com’s community forums and betting tools.

NBA parlay picks made 4/1/2022 at 3 p.m. ET

Written By:
Henry John

Henry’s passion for sports dates all the way back to childhood and has ultimately led to a full-fledged career as an analyst and content creator. After getting his start penning fantasy football articles, he forrayed into the betting side of the business in early 2019. His love for sports and statistics proved to be an ideal match with the dedicated research and strategy that handicapping requires. Henry currently specializes in betting analysis and picks for college football, college basketball, and NASCAR. He counts NFL, WNBA, and NBA player props as additional leagues/markets of interest. Henry graduated from SUNY Buffalo in 2021 with a Communication Studies degree and a Psychology minor. A native of the Finger Lakes region in Upstate New York, he and his pup, Harold, have since relocated to Laramie, Wyoming. Thanks to his professional goals within the sports betting industry, there has been a whole lot of steam on the odds for a move to Las Vegas in 2023! Most of Henry’s free time is spent on outdoor adventures, playing chess, snowboarding, or reading a good book. He is also a competitive powerlifter and aspires to qualify for the USAPL Nationals meet within the next 2-3 years.