We hit on one of our three NBA picks against the spread on Wednesday ahead of a very light Thursday slate that featured just three games – though it didn’t lack for drama, with Royce O’Neale beating the buzzer to cap off a triple-double performance and help the Nets nip the Trail Blazers on the road.
Will we be in store for similar theatrics on Friday? Twenty-two teams are in action heading into the weekend, with the defending champion Warriors hosting the Knicks in the highest-profile game of the night.
Here’s a look at which teams we’re betting on Friday at BetMGM:
Risk Free First Bet up to $1,000 with NPBONUS
New customers only. Must be 21+. AZ, CO, IA, IL, IN, LA, MI, NJ, NY, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY only. (Welcome Offer not available in NY & PA) Full T&C apply.
First bet up To $1,250 On Caesars
New users only, 21 or older. NY, CO, DC, IA, IN, IL, MI, NV, NJ, PA, TN, VA, WV only. Full T&Cs apply.
No Sweat First Bet up to $1,000
21+. New customers only. AZ, CT, IA, IL, LA, MI, NJ, NY, PA, TN, WV, WY only. T&C apply
NBA Friday odds, picks (via BetMGM)
- Thunder +6.5 @ Grizzlies
- Mavericks -9.5 vs. Nuggets
- Knicks +7.5 @ Warriors
Grizzles vs. Thunder prediction and analysis
Do you dare bet against Shai Gilgeous-Alexander after what we’ve seen from him over the last few weeks? The Thunder star has looked like a potential MVP dark horse this season, and he’s shown no signs of stopping ahead of Friday’s road tilt.
The fifth-year guard ranks third in scoring (32.3 PPG) and PER (30.0) this season and has carried this team to three outright wins in its last four games (4-0 ATS) behind a torrid scoring run. In fact, his superb play across the entire season is a key reason why this team boasts the fifth-best ATS record in the league (10-5) with a 6-1 ATS mark as a road underdog.
This one profiles as another winnable spot for Oklahoma City against a Memphis team coming off two straight double-digit losses. Injuries have played a key role – Desmond Bane (toe) missed both of those contests and won’t play in this one, forcing the Grizzlies to generate offense without his crucial spacing at play. This game has real upset potential.
The pick: Thunder +6.5
Betting on the NBA?
Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas MavericksNBAE via Getty ImagesMavericks vs. Nuggets prediction and analysis
We were foiled by the Mavericks on Wednesday in a rare spot without Luka Doncic, who sat for the first time all season. He’ll be back in action on Friday, which should make all the difference.
Excluding Wednesday’s game with Doncic sidelined, Dallas ranks in the top seven in net rating (+3.6) with top-10 efficiency on offense and defense. The Mavs have won six of their last eight with Doncic active, with most of those wins coming against likely playoff teams.
The Nuggets profile as one in theory, but with Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray both in COVID-19 protocols, this team hardly resembles one of the league’s best. Denver has lost seven of nine games with Jokic sidelined over the last four seasons, and I wouldn’t expect this one to be all that close without him, either.
The pick: Mavericks -9.5
Betting on the NBA?
Jalen Brunson #11 and Cam Reddish #0 of the New York Knicks high five NBAE via Getty ImagesWarriors vs. Knicks prediction and analysis
Which Warriors team will we get on Friday: the one that blew out the Spurs by 37 points on Monday or the one that lost to the Suns by 11 points on Wednesday?
One of the keys for Golden State all year long has been its locale – winning six of seven games at home with an 0-8 record on the road. So you should bet the Dubs at home. Not so fast. This group is just 4-3 ATS on its home court, with just three of those seven wins coming by eight or more points.
The Knicks have been a feisty road bet (5-3 ATS) and have won four of their last five away games outright behind an inside-outside attack that bore fruit in Wednesday’s win in Denver. There’s a chance Stephen Curry steals the show here, but I just don’t have enough confidence in this Golden State squad to lay such a big price against a competent foe.
The pick: Knicks +7.5
