We have a big NBA slate on tap tonight, so add some interest by tailing our top plays for Friday night’s action.
Friday’s Best NBA Bets
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Houston Rockets (-7.5) at Utah Jazz | O/U 230.5 (-110/-110)
The Rockets are surging at the right time, having won 10 straight. This has allowed them to get back into the playoff hunt, where they sit only a game behind the Warriors for the 10th seed. The defense was already one of the best in the league this year, at 112.1, and it’s been even better during this winning streak, at 109.1. The most notable thing is they have been able to do this without Alperen Sengun in the lineup.
The Jazz have been the polar opposite, losing seven in a row and 11 of their last 13. Offensively, their rating is in the middle, and they are a team you need to defend closely because they can hit baskets from any range. The defense is why they sit near the bottom of the standings, as they have the worst rating in the league.
The Rockets should be able to control this game and diminish Utah’s offense. Offensively, they’re slightly better, but they won’t need it to be great to win.
Pick: Rockets -7.5 (-110)
Los Angeles Lakers at Indiana Pacers (-3) | O/U 242.5 (-110/-110)
The Lakers are the student who tells their parents the night before they need to go to the store because the class project they were assigned three months ago is due tomorrow. Los Angeles has been hovering around .500 all season, but with two weeks left in the season, they’ve played their best basketball by going 16-7 in their last 24 and are on a season-high five-game winning streak.
Just to show how different the competition is in each conference, these two teams have similar records, but Indiana is in the playoffs while Los Angeles is fighting for a spot in the Play-In Tournament. The Pacers have been a little inconsistent recently, going 4-3, which includes a loss to the Lakers. The Pacers need their offense to click to win because they’re second in adjusted offensive rating while 25th in adjusted defensive rating.
The last time these two faced off, they combined for 295 points, with no overtime. It may not get to that number, but this will be another high-scoring game.
Pick: Over 242.5 (-110)
Los Angeles Clippers (-1) at Orlando Magic | O/U 209. (-110/-110)
The Magic have been excellent over the last few weeks and are 13-5 in their last 18. Defensively, they have been the best in that span. They will play physically on both ends of the floor and, on offense, will look to attack the rim as they’re second in average field goal attempts less than five feet and have the seventh-highest field goal percentage.
The Clippers are 10th in opponent rim percentage, which is the best the Magic have faced and won against since Cleveland back on February 22nd. Los Angeles has been streaky over the last few weeks (7-7 record). They have been through a tough schedule, losing to playoff teams, with Atlanta being their worst loss.
The Clippers’ defense has been awful during this 14-game span, ranking 28th in defensive rating. More recently, they’ve struggled defensively in the paint and are 21st in points allowed over their last five.
Pick: Magic Moneyline (+100)
