“Nothing But Bets” is back to go
over today’s slate on a loaded Friday in the NBA. Every single day,
“Nothing But Bets” gives you the inside advantage before games
begin. So far this season, we are carrying a 120-94-2 record
(56.0%) against the spread.
As always, our odds are provided by TwinSpires Sportsbook and
over/under power-play prop bets are provided by PrizePicks.
It’s hammering time!
Detroit Pistons vs. Golden State Warriors
(-2)
This spread is small, but the reason why is because the Warriors
are giving Stephen Curry a well-deserved night off. Against the
Pistons, it might not even matter if Curry sits. In this matchup, I
still love hammering the lower point spread in favor of the
Curry-less Warriors. Cade Cunningham could help keep this one close
for a little bit, but expect Golden State to open the floodgates
late, easily cruising to cover the 2-point spread in Detroit. On
PrizePicks, tail me on this fun power play: Andrew Wiggins over
19.5 points, Jordan Poole over 19.5 points, Cade Cunningham over
14.5 points, Jerami Grant over 1.5 threes.
Charlotte Hornets (-1) vs. Indiana Pacers
I love this matchup in favor of the Hornets. Charlotte’s
pace-and-space style is a bad clash for Indiana, who continues to
be so inconsistent opening up the 2021-22 season. Who exactly are
the Pacers? Always dealing with injuries and not knowing what to
expect almost every game, is it time to blow up some of this core?
Personally, I think so. Stay tuned to BasketballNews.com next week on
this, because my thoughts go very in-depth. In the meantime, hammer
Hornets -1 and the following power play on PrizePicks: Malcolm
Brogdon over 19.5 points, Miles Bridges over 18.5 points, Domantas
Sabonis over 11.5 rebounds, LaMelo Ball over 6.5 assists.
Boston Celtics (-3) vs. Los Angeles Lakers
As long as LeBron James remains out, it’s so hard to trust the
Lakers from a betting perspective. In Boston, the same idea holds
here because I'm actually wagering on Celtics -3 here. Anthony
Davis and Russell Westbrook should have solid outings, but I like a
charged-up environment in Boston alongside a monster outing from
Jayson Tatum pushing it in favor of the Celtics. On PrizePicks,
we’re locking in this power play to tail our prediction of Boston
covering the 3-point spread: Tatum over 25.5 points, Davis over
19.5 points, Westbrook over 6.5 assists, Marcus Smart over 3.5
rebounds.
Brooklyn Nets (-10) vs. Orlando Magic
No Kevin Durant, no problem for Brooklyn at home tonight against
the Magic. Although Orlando continues to surprise on some nights,
they tend to struggle mightily against the NBA’s elite teams. Even
without Durant, Brooklyn still qualifies thanks to a James
Harden-centric system being put on display. Harden helps the Nets
roll over Orlando, cruising to an easy double-digit victory. Smash
the Nets to cover the 10-point spread, plus the following
power-play prop on PrizePicks: Harden over 24.5 points, Cole
Anthony over 17.5 points, Patty Mills over 13.5 points, Mo Bamba
over 7.5 rebounds.
New Orleans Pelicans vs. Los Angeles Clippers
(-4)
New Orleans is well within the NBA’s abyss right now. How
exactly will they escape? It’s almost impossible to see how they
can, even when Zion Williamson eventually returns from the foot
injury he suffered during the offseason. The Pelicans are well on
their way to a top lottery pick, and the seat is now getting warm for GM
David Griffin in the Bayou. Griffin’s work in New Orleans has
been very up-and-down, bordering on potentially squandering a
rebuild attempt around a generational talent. You have to wonder if
Williamson starts to seriously consider leaving the Pelicans
relatively soon as well. For this matchup, though, let’s hammer the
Clippers to cover the 4-point spread. Betting against the Pelicans
right now is an easy money-making exercise, so let’s keep riding
that train. On PrizePicks, lock in this power play: Paul George
over 25.5 points, Brandon Ingram over 20.5 points, Reggie Jackson
over 17.5 points, Jonas Valanciunas over 11.5 rebounds.
Milwaukee Bucks (-13) vs. Oklahoma City
Thunder
What a massive spread for this matchup, but that’s not scaring
me off here. I’m taking the Bucks to easily cover the 13-point
spread, because the trend of Oklahoma City not being able to hang
with top-tier teams still holds true. Milwaukee is finally getting
back to full health, so expect their starting lineup to feast
against the inexperienced Thunder. Hammer the Bucks to cover, plus
project a monster performance once again from Giannis
Antetokounmpo. Let’s lock in this fun power play on PrizePicks as
well: Giannis over 24.5 points, Khris Middleton over 16.5
points, Josh Giddey over 4.5 assists, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander over
4 rebounds.
Denver Nuggets (-1.5) vs. Chicago Bulls
This is going to be the most entertaining matchup for Friday’s
slate, so make sure to tune into this one in Denver. Nikola Jokic
is playing even better than he was last season as MVP, which says a
lot about how incredible he's been. Meanwhile, the Bulls’ offseason
retooling is paying huge dividends right now with all of their new
additions thriving alongside Zach LaVine. And once Nikola Vucevic
is back in the starting lineup, Chicago will be even better.
Although I’m so tempted to bet on the underdog here, I’m siding
with Jokic and the Nuggets to get the job done covering the
1.5-point spread at home. On PrizePicks, this is one of my favorite
power plays to tail: Zach LaVine over 23.5 points, DeMar
DeRozan over 21.5 points, Aaron Gordon over 6 rebounds, Lonzo Ball
over 4.5 assists.
Phoenix Suns (-8.5) vs. Dallas Mavericks
These two teams once again lock horns after a super entertaining
comeback victory for Phoenix on Wednesday. This time around, we’re
betting once again on the Suns to cover the spread against the Luka
Doncic-less Mavericks. Dallas led for most of the game because of
super-hot, unsustainable three-point shooting. I’m not projecting
that will happen again, so, honestly, I expect the Suns to roll
here and win by double-digits. The Suns are winners of 10-straight,
and that streak should only continue as they continue to gain even
more confidence. Phoenix is one of the most dangerous teams in the
Association, so betting against them isn’t a wise investment.
Hammer the Suns at -8.5, plus the following power-play on
PrizePicks: Devin Booker over 22.5 points, Mikal Bridges over
11.5 points, Deandre Ayton over 10.5 rebounds, Chris Paul over 8.5
assists.
Sacramento Kings (-3.5) vs. Toronto Raptors
The Raptors will be without OG Anunoby for an extended period of
time due to a hip injury, which is a major blow because he’s been
showcasing why he’s so important to their long-term future.
However, even without Anunoby in Sacramento, I like the Raptors as
underdogs to cover the 3.5-point spread. The heat is on for Kings
head coach Luke Walton, and it’s hard to envision how he survives
the entire regular season. Give me the Raptors in this matchup on
the road in Sacramento, thanks in large part to their reliable
veteran combo of Pascal Siakam and Fred VanVleet. On PrizePicks,
I’m locking in this intriguing power play as well: Siakam over
18.5 points, Scottie Barnes over 6.5 rebounds, VanVleet over 2.5
threes, Tyrese Haliburton over 1.5 threes.
Recapping our picks against the spread for “Nothing But Bets,”
here’s what is being locked in for Friday’s fun slate:
Warriors -2, Hornets -1, Celtics -3, Nets -10, Clippers -4,
Bucks -13, Nuggets -1.5, Suns -8.5, Raptors +3.5.
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