Top 3 NBA Betting Odds, Picks & Predictions: Friday (1/6)
Another 3-0 night in the books, as we move to just over 55% on the season as the halfway point is just about here. After a four-game slate last night that saw favorites go 3-1, let’s take a closer look at Friday’s slate as we kick off the weekend with some green.
YTD Record: 54-44-4 ATS
All odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook
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Top 3 NBA Betting Odds, Picks & Predictions: Friday (1/6)
Pelicans +4 (-110) vs. Nets
As predicted right here on these pages, the Nets’ winning streak ended this week at 12, losing outright to the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday as 5-point favorites. The team will now stay on the road for two more games starting tonight in New Orleans, taking on a Pelicans team that has been a different entity on its home court.
Coming into tonight, the Pelicans are 13-8 ATS in New Orleans, including winning three of their past four ATS in the friendly confines of the Smoothie Center. Behind one of the league’s most balanced attacks, I like for the Pelicans to have enough to keep this one close.
Wizards +2 (-110) vs. Thunder
Winning six of their past eight games, the Wizards have fought and clawed their way out of the Eastern Conference basement, now sitting just one game outside of the play-in tournament. Injuries though, specifically to their star player Bradley Beal (hamstring), once again plague this team as they’ll have to manage at least the next two weeks without him.
Even still, I think this is a bit of an overreaction, as they draw a Thunder team that’s lost three of their past four and sits near the bottom of the Western Conference Standings. I like for the Wizards to win this one outright before heading home to face the Mavericks on Sunday.
Lakers +2.5 (-110) vs. Hawks
We head West for this one, as the Lakers take on the Hawks as both teams struggle for footing in the playoff race as the calendar turns to 2023. For the Lakers, quietly winning four of their past five games, all against Eastern Conference foes, they now find themselves just 1.5 games outside of the 10th and final playoff spot.
Still without big man Clint Capela in the lineup, the Hawks are floundering, having dropped five of their past seven games, stopping a four-game slide on Wednesday at Sacramento. With LeBron expected to suit up for this one, look for the Lakers to have enough to take this one at home.
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