Top NBA Odds, Picks & Predictions: Friday (2/23)
We have a big NBA slate on tap for tonight, so add some interest by tailing our top plays for Friday night’s action.
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Friday’s NBA Best Bets
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Milwaukee Bucks at Minnesota Timberwolves (-4.5) | O/U 225.5 (-112/-108)
The Timberwolves come out of the All-Star break as the top team in the Western Conference and winners of four straight, one of which includes against the Bucks. They finally have the defense they’ve been striving for as tops in Adjusted Defensive Rankings. What makes them so great defensively is they present pressure the moment you push the ball over the half-court and are one of the best at defending both at the rim and behind the arch. Not getting high-percentage shots or cutting the deficit with threes has made them tough to beat.
That was the case for the Bucks in the last matchup against the T-Wolves as they lost the three-point and points in the paint battle en route to their 129-105 loss at home. Was the decision to fire Adrian Griffin and bring in Doc Rivers smart? At the moment, it isn’t looking like it. The team is 3-7 with Rivers, and they brought him in to improve the defense, but Milwaukee has allowed 120+ points three times in that span.
This Bucks team isn’t ready to compete yet, especially with some of the top contenders in the league.
Pick: Timberwolves -4.5 (-110)
Denver Nuggets (-8.5) at Portland Trail Blazers | O/U 217 (-108/-112)
The defending champs limped into the break, dropping three straight. They won last night, but it was against the Wizards. The offense had been a disaster until Thursday night, averaging 99.6 points in those three losses and shooting under 40% in two. Those were against Sacramento and Milwaukee, both in the bottom half of opposing field goal percentage.
Good thing they are playing the Trail Blazers, who are in the middle of a seven-game losing streak, two of which come from the Nuggets. When they traded Damian Lillard, this team knew they were going to be rebuilding, and they are 29th in points scored, but the defense has been near the league average.
Denver eases back into the schedule before it gets more challenging. On a back-to-back, don’t trust this high of a spread, grab the under with Portland’s defense at home.
Pick: Under 217 (-112)
Make sure to check out our other best bets for Friday: