As the NBA regular season nears its conclusion, Friday night presents a basketball bonanza with a 15-game slate. It can be challenging for bettors to find games where both teams have something to play for. But I'm looking forward to one game in particular.
A crucial Eastern Conference matchup takes place between the Philadelphia 76ers and Orlando Magic. Both teams are in the hunt for playoff spots, with the Magic currently the No. 4 seed and the 76ers the No. 7 seed. Philadelphia won both previous meetings, but the evolving dynamics of the teams make this game highly anticipated. The game carries significant importance for both teams. Let's take a closer look at my picks for Friday.
Josh Giddey over 18.5 points and assists (-120). This is a big game for the Thunder, who are tied for second with Minnesota in the West and just one game back of the Nuggets with two games to play. Giddey has cleared this line in three of his past five games while averaging 12.4 field goal attempts and 13.0 potential assets over that span. Giddey also cleared this line against the Bucks on March 24. Milwaukee ranks 26th in points allowed per game to shooting guards.
Devin Booker over 6.5 assists (-125). The Suns sit seventh in the Western Conference but still have a chance to climb to sixth and avoid the play-in tournament. Booker has surpassed this line in six of his past 10 games, averaging 11.2 potential assists, and has gone over this number in all four games against the Kings. Sacramento ranks 20th in points allowed per 100 possessions.
Rui Hachimura over 19.5 points, rebounds and assists (-105). The Lakers no longer control their destiny and will participate in the play-in tournament. However, it's crucial for Los Angeles to build positive momentum heading into the postseason. Friday night's game against the Grizzlies is a perfect get-right spot. Hachimura has cleared this line in seven of his past 10 games and has gone over in two consecutive games against the Grizzlies. Despite the Lakers being 15.5-point favorites over a depleted Memphis team, Hachimura is still in a good position to surpass this line.
Luka Doncic under 55.5 points, rebounds and assists (-115). The Mavericks currently have the No. 5 playoff seed, but they have a remote chance to move up to the No. 4 seed and claim home-court advantage for their first-round matchup against the Clippers. Since Kyrie Irving is ruled out with left hamstring soreness, it's tough to see Doncic getting a full workload, especially with the Mavericks being 13.5-point favorites. He has gone under this line in eight of the past 10 home games that Dallas has won by 14 or more points.
New York Knicks -11.5 (-110) vs. Brooklyn Nets. With the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference within reach, the Knicks should be motivated at Madison Square Garden. They have been bolstered by recent strong performances, as well as the return of OG Anunoby. The low point total (211.5) suggests that the Knicks' defense will likely stifle the Nets. Also, New York boasts a 4-1 record against the spread in its past five games and a 5-0 record against the spread in their past five home games.
Projections and injury reports
Odds provided by ESPN BET. Basketball Power Index by ESPN Analytics. Injury aggregation by Rotowire.com.
Orlando Magic at Philadelphia 76ers
7 p.m. Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia
Records (Against the Spread)
Magic: 46-34 (49-31-0)
76ers: 45-35 (46-34-0)
Line: 76ers (-7.5) Total: 212.5
Money Line: Magic (+230), 76ers (-280)
BPI Projection: 76ers by 3.6, straight up 62%, 210.1 total points.
Injury Report:
Magic: Franz Wagner, (GTD - Ankle)
76ers: Joel Embiid, (GTD - Knee); KJ Martin, (GTD - Toe); Kyle Lowry, (GTD - Knee); Robert Covington, (OUT - Knee)
Chicago Bulls at Washington Wizards
7 p.m. Capital One Arena, Washington
Records (Against the Spread)
Bulls: 38-42 (39-40-1)
Wizards: 15-65 (36-42-2)
Line: Wizards (-1.5) Total: 222.5
Money Line: Bulls (+105), Wizards (-125)
BPI Projection: Bulls by 11.4, straight up 82%, 219.0 total points.
Injury Report:
Bulls: Andre Drummond, (GTD - Ankle); Ayo Dosunmu, (GTD - Quadriceps); Julian Phillips, (OUT - Foot); Lonzo Ball, (OUT - Knee); Patrick Williams, (OUT - Foot); Zach LaVine, (OUT - Foot)
Wizards: Eugene Omoruyi, (GTD - Illness); Jordan Poole, (GTD - Illness); Richaun Holmes, (GTD - Toe); Kyle Kuzma, (OUT - Ankle); Landry Shamet, (OUT - Calf); Marvin Bagley III, (OUT - Knee); Tyus Jones, (OUT - Back); Bilal Coulibaly, (OUT - Wrist)
Charlotte Hornets at Boston Celtics
7:30 p.m. TD Garden, Boston
Records (Against the Spread)
Hornets: 20-60 (33-47-0)
Celtics: 62-18 (42-35-3)
Line: Celtics (-6.5) Total: 217.5
Money Line: Hornets (+225), Celtics (-275)
BPI Projection: Celtics by 19.7, straight up 93%, 198.3 total points.
Injury Report:
Hornets: Grant Williams, (GTD - Ankle); Nick Richards, (GTD - Foot); Cody Martin, (OUT - Ankle); LaMelo Ball, (OUT - Ankle); Mark Williams, (OUT - Back); Seth Curry, (OUT - Ankle)
Celtics: Oshae Brissett, (GTD - Illness)
Indiana Pacers at Cleveland Cavaliers
7:30 p.m. Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, Cleveland
Records (Against the Spread)
Pacers: 46-34 (43-35-2)
Cavaliers: 47-33 (36-43-1)
Line: Cavaliers (-2.5) Total: 232.5
Money Line: Pacers (+115), Cavaliers (-135)
BPI Projection: Cavaliers by 3.2, straight up 61%, 231.6 total points.
Injury Report:
Pacers: Isaiah Jackson, (GTD - Hamstring); Bennedict Mathurin, (OUT - Shoulder)
Cavaliers: Sam Merrill, (GTD - Neck); Dean Wade, (OUT - Knee); Ty Jerome, (OUT - Ankle)
Brooklyn Nets at New York Knicks
7:30 p.m. Madison Square Garden, New York
Records (Against the Spread)
Nets: 32-48 (33-43-4)
Knicks: 48-32 (44-35-1)
Line: Knicks (-11.5) Total: 211.5
Money Line: Nets (+475), Knicks (-700)
BPI Projection: Knicks by 6.8, straight up 71%, 200.3 total points.
Injury Report:
Nets: Cameron Johnson, (GTD - Toe); Day'Ron Sharpe, (GTD - Wrist); Jacob Gilyard, (GTD - Hip); Dennis Smith Jr., (OUT - Hip); Dorian Finney-Smith, (OUT - Knee); Ben Simmons, (OUT - Back); Dariq Whitehead, (OUT - Lower Leg); Keita Bates-Diop, (OUT - Lower Leg)
Knicks: Duane Washington Jr., (GTD - Knee); Julius Randle, (OUT - Shoulder)
Toronto Raptors at Miami Heat
8 p.m. Kaseya Center, Miami
Records (Against the Spread)
Raptors: 25-55 (35-45-0)
Heat: 44-36 (39-39-2)
Line: Heat (-14.5) Total: 217.5
Money Line: Raptors (+750), Heat (-1400)
BPI Projection: Heat by 15.7, straight up 89%, 204.7 total points.
Injury Report:
Raptors: Bruce Brown, (GTD - Knee); Gary Trent Jr., (GTD - Back); Chris Boucher, (OUT - Knee); D.J. Carton, (OUT - Ankle); Jakob Poeltl, (OUT - Finger); Scottie Barnes, (OUT - Hand); Jontay Porter, (OUT - Personal)
Heat: Terry Rozier, (GTD - Neck); Duncan Robinson, (OUT - Back); Josh Richardson, (OUT - Shoulder)
Los Angeles Lakers at Memphis Grizzlies
8 p.m. FedExForum, Memphis
Records (Against the Spread)
Lakers: 45-35 (37-43-0)
Grizzlies: 27-53 (38-42-0)
Line: Lakers (-15.5) Total: 225.5
Money Line: Lakers (-1200), Grizzlies (+700)
BPI Projection: Lakers by 7, straight up 72%, 215.7 total points.
Injury Report:
Lakers: Anthony Davis, (GTD - Head); LeBron James, (GTD - Ankle); Christian Wood, (OUT - Knee); Jarred Vanderbilt, (OUT - Foot); Jalen Hood-Schifino, (OUT - Back)
Grizzlies: Brandon Clarke, (OUT - Hand); Desmond Bane, (OUT - Back); Jaren Jackson Jr., (OUT - Quadriceps); John Konchar, (OUT - Heel); Lamar Stevens, (OUT - Groin); Luke Kennard, (OUT - Knee); Marcus Smart, (OUT - Finger); Santi Aldama, (OUT - Foot); Vince Williams Jr., (OUT - Knee); Yuta Watanabe, (OUT - Personal)
Atlanta Hawks at Minnesota Timberwolves
8 p.m. Target Center, Minneapolis
Records (Against the Spread)
Hawks: 36-44 (28-52-0)
Timberwolves: 55-25 (40-37-3)
Line: Timberwolves (-14.5) Total: 226.5
Money Line: Hawks (+700), Timberwolves (-1200)
BPI Projection: Timberwolves by 10.1, straight up 79%, 208.1 total points.
Injury Report:
Hawks: AJ Griffin, (GTD - Ankle); Clint Capela, (GTD - Rest); Dejounte Murray, (GTD - Quadriceps); Seth Lundy, (OUT - Ankle); Wesley Matthews, (OUT - Hamstring); Jalen Johnson, (OUT - Ankle); Onyeka Okongwu, (OUT - Toe); Saddiq Bey, (OUT - Knee)
Timberwolves: Karl-Anthony Towns, (GTD - Knee); Jaylen Clark, (OUT - Achilles)
Milwaukee Bucks at Oklahoma City Thunder
8 p.m. Paycom Center, Oklahoma City
Records (Against the Spread)
Bucks: 49-31 (35-45-0)
Thunder: 55-25 (44-35-1)
Line: Thunder (-15.5) Total: 223.5
Money Line: Bucks (+800), Thunder (-1400)
BPI Projection: Thunder by 14.9, straight up 88%, 210.4 total points.
Injury Report:
Bucks: Brook Lopez, (GTD - Rest); Damian Lillard, (GTD - Groin); Khris Middleton, (GTD - Ankle); MarJon Beauchamp, (GTD - Ankle); Thanasis Antetokounmpo, (GTD - Hamstring); AJ Green, (OUT - Ankle); Giannis Antetokounmpo, (OUT - Calf)
Thunder: Luguentz Dort, (NA - Rest)
Denver Nuggets at San Antonio Spurs
8 p.m. Frost Bank Center, San Antonio
Records (Against the Spread)
Nuggets: 56-24 (37-41-2)
Spurs: 20-60 (41-38-1)
Line: Nuggets (-10.5) Total: 221.5
Money Line: Nuggets (-550), Spurs (+400)
BPI Projection: Nuggets by 4.3, straight up 64%, 215.8 total points.
Injury Report:
Nuggets: Aaron Gordon, (GTD - Foot); Jamal Murray, (GTD - Knee); Michael Porter Jr., (GTD - Quadriceps); Nikola Jokic, (GTD - Hip); Zeke Nnaji, (GTD - Thigh); Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, (GTD - Shoulder); Vlatko Cancar, (OUT - Knee)
Spurs: Cedi Osman, (OUT - Ankle); Dominick Barlow, (OUT - Knee); Keldon Johnson, (OUT - Foot); Charles Bassey, (OUT - Knee); Devin Vassell, (OUT - Foot); Jeremy Sochan, (OUT - Ankle)
Detroit Pistons at Dallas Mavericks
8:30 p.m. American Airlines Center, Dallas
Records (Against the Spread)
Pistons: 13-67 (38-40-2)
Mavericks: 50-30 (49-31-0)
Line: Mavericks (-13.5) Total: 218.5
Money Line: Pistons (+600), Mavericks (-900)
BPI Projection: Mavericks by 15.7, straight up 89%, 205.5 total points.
Injury Report:
Pistons: Cade Cunningham, (GTD - Knee); Simone Fontecchio, (GTD - Toe); Ausar Thompson, (OUT - Illness); Isaiah Stewart, (OUT - Hamstring); Quentin Grimes, (OUT - Knee); Stanley Umude, (OUT - Ankle)
Mavericks: Luka Doncic, (GTD - Ankle); Greg Brown III, (OUT - Personal); Kyrie Irving, (OUT - Hamstring); Dereck Lively II, (OUT - Knee)
New Orleans Pelicans at Golden State Warriors
10 p.m. Chase Center, San Francisco
Records (Against the Spread)
Pelicans: 48-32 (42-37-1)
Warriors: 45-35 (42-36-2)
Line: Warriors (-4.5) Total: 221.5
Money Line: Pelicans (+150), Warriors (-175)
BPI Projection: Warriors by 2.3, straight up 58%, 220.0 total points.
Injury Report:
Pelicans: Brandon Ingram, (GTD - Knee); Larry Nance Jr., (GTD - Personal)
Warriors: Draymond Green, (GTD - Knee); Gary Payton II, (GTD - Calf); Klay Thompson, (GTD - Knee)
Houston Rockets at Portland Trail Blazers
10 p.m. Moda Center, Portland
Records (Against the Spread)
Rockets: 39-41 (43-35-2)
Blazers: 21-59 (40-40-0)
Line: Rockets (-6.5) Total: 219.5
Money Line: Rockets (-240), Blazers (+200)
BPI Projection: Rockets by 2.6, straight up 59%, 223.8 total points.
Injury Report:
Rockets: Alperen Sengun, (OUT - Ankle); Jae'Sean Tate, (OUT - Ankle); Steven Adams, (OUT - Knee); Tari Eason, (OUT - Lower Leg)
Blazers: Anfernee Simons, (GTD - Knee); Dalano Banton, (GTD - Ankle); Jerami Grant, (GTD - Hamstring); Malcolm Brogdon, (GTD - Elbow); Matisse Thybulle, (GTD - Ankle); Robert Williams III, (OUT - Knee); Shaedon Sharpe, (OUT - Abdomen); Toumani Camara, (OUT - Ribs)
Utah Jazz at LA Clippers
10:30 p.m. Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles
Records (Against the Spread)
Jazz: 30-50 (40-40-0)
Clippers: 51-29 (38-42-0)
Line: Clippers (-15.5) Total: 224.5
Money Line: Jazz (+900), Clippers (-1800)
BPI Projection: Clippers by 6, straight up 69%, 226.4 total points.
Injury Report:
Jazz: John Collins, (GTD - Back); Walker Kessler, (GTD - Nose)
Clippers: James Harden, (GTD - Foot); Joshua Primo, (OUT - Ankle); Kawhi Leonard, (OUT - Knee)
Phoenix Suns at Sacramento Kings
10:30 p.m. Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, California
Records (Against the Spread)
Suns: 47-33 (36-43-1)
Kings: 45-35 (41-38-1)
Line: Suns (-5.5) Total: 223.5
Money Line: Suns (-200), Kings (+170)
BPI Projection: Suns by 0.9, straight up 53%, 226.2 total points.
Injury Report:
Suns: Damion Lee, (OUT - Knee)
Kings: JaVale McGee, (GTD - Illness); Malik Monk, (OUT - Knee); Kevin Huerter, (OUT - Shoulder)