Mike’s Twitter: @MOConnor_NBA
Two straight 4-2 weeks is a good feeling, but we’re never satisfied over here. There’s a great Friday night slate of NBA games, so let’s get right into some picks to make you some money and continue this winning streak.
Smart Money NBA Betting Picks for Tonight’s Action
Washington Wizards @ Cleveland Cavaliers: Wizards -7 (-103)
The Wizards are hot, and coming off of a big win against the Lakers. Russell Westbrook and Bradley Beal are playing some incredible basketball right now. And going against a banged-up and possibly tanking Cleveland team, I really like their chances of covering this spread.
Cleveland is without Lamar Stevens, Isaiah Hartenstein, and Matthew Dellavedova for sure, and Collin Sexton is a game-time decision. If Sexton sits, this line is an absolute lock, but I’m comfortable betting it regardless.
Utah Jazz @ Phoenix Suns: Suns -4.5 (+100)
This game was supposed to be a matchup of two Western Conference heavyweights, but with the Utah Jazz missing both Mike Conley and Donovan Mitchell, I’m extremely bullish on the Phoenix Suns’ chances of covering this spread here.
Phoenix has been playing incredible basketball of late and is coming off of a big win over the Clippers. Chris Paul and Devin Booker have been absolutely unstoppable. And with Utah missing its starting backcourt, I’m expecting big performances out of both of them.
For Utah, I’m just not sure where they go to generate offense against a very good defensive team in Phoenix. It’s a hell of a load for Joe Ingles, Jordan Clarkson, and company to handle. Take Phoenix to cover here.
Orlando Magic @ Memphis Grizzlies: Grizzlies -12.5 (-110)
This exact situation is the only time that I like taking teams to cover spreads this big – a tanking and injured team (Orlando), on the road late in the season against a team fighting for playoff seeding. Forget the talent disparity. With one team barely interested in playing and the other viewing each game as a must-win, that alone will account for the difference here. Throw in the fact that the Grizzlies are coming off two straight losses, and this one should be a piece of cake.
In their defense, the Magic have gotten some quality play out of their young players lately. Chuma Okeke, Cole Anthony, and others have been putting up solid numbers. But they’ve still managed to drop six of seven, with the lone win coming against Cleveland, another tanking team.
Tonight is the night that Memphis rights the ship, and it’ll come at the expense of the Magic. Take the Grizzlies to cover here.
Atlanta Hawks @ Philadelphia 76ers: Sixers -9.5 (-105)
This line is a bit of a risk. The Hawks have four rotation players – Clint Capela, Trae Young, Bogdan Bogdanović, and Tony Snell – who are all listed as game-time decisions. If all four of them play, I’d stay away from this spread.
But after the beatdown that the Sixers laid upon the Hawks on Wednesday, I’m comfortable enough taking this line. You have to assume that at least one or two of Capela, Young, Bogdanović, and Snell will sit. And if that happens, the Sixers still have a great chance of covering here. If all four of them sit, then this line is an absolute lock.
The Sixers have found a nice groove over the past couple of games as they’ve become healthier following their four-game losing streak. Joel Embiid’s knee brace is off, Ben Simmons is healthy after battling an illness, and George Hill is finding his place in the Sixers’ rotation. Things are trending up for Philly, and if they get to face a shorthanded Hawks team again, they’ll notch another blowout win.
Top Player Props for Tonight’s NBA Action
Milwaukee Bucks @ Chicago Bulls: Nikola Vučević Over 2.5 Three-Pointers (-148)
Vučević averages 2.6 made threes per game, and going against a Bucks team that is always happy to concede three-pointers, I’m very comfortable taking the over in this situation.
Especially without Zach LaVine, the Bulls are forced to run a ton of offense through Vučević. I’m expecting a lot of Coby White-Vučević pick and pops, especially if this one is close late, and all that will be left is for Vučević to make the Bucks pay for leaving him open.
Utah Jazz @ Phoenix Suns: Devin Booker Over 26.5 Points (-110)
As per usual, at least one of my player props comes from a player whose team I also bet on. Booker had a bit of a subpar performance against the Clippers, notching just 21 points on 9-19 shooting. So I’m expecting a progression to the mean here. Without Donovan Mitchell to match up with him defensively, I have a lot of confidence that Booker will be able to get to his spots and put up big numbers. The Jazz also like to concede a lot of midrange looks, which is where Booker thrives. Take the over on this one.
Mike’s Year to Date Record: 32-46
