NBA betting: Six picks for Friday
Kevin Durant over 32.5 points and rebounds
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Jusuf Nurkic is dealing with left calf soreness and is a game-time decision. Both the Suns and Timberwolves are playoff-bound and fighting for improved seeding. Phoenix has one of the toughest schedules left in the league, so every win counts. Durant has cleared this line in 57% of his games this season and has eclipsed it in 70% of the 20 games Nurkic has missed since last season.
Jordan Poole over 22.5 points
The Trail Blazers-Wizards has a 2.5-point spread, which implies a competitive game. Poole has been inconsistent all season and has only cleared this line in four of his last 10 games. However, he does have a usage rate of 27.3% over that time frame. Both teams are poor defensively. The Trail Blazers rank 23rd in points allowed per game to shooting guards.
Deandre Ayton over 0.5 assists in first quarter
The Wizards rank 29th in points allowed per 100 possessions. Ayton has surpassed this line in five consecutive games and in 13 of his last 20. The Wizards also rank 29th in assists allowed per game. This is a good spot for Ayton.
Wendell Carter Jr. over 21.5 points, rebounds and assists
Carter has exceeded this line in each of the last three games while averaging 27.8 minutes per game. He has also cleared this line in five of his last road games and has gone over in 57% of the 30 games he has played 24 or more minutes this season. The Hornets rank 28th in points allowed per 100 possessions.
Josh Giddey over 32.5 points, rebounds and assists
Giddey turned things around in March and is arguably in the best stretch of his career. He has surpassed this line in three of his last five games and has averaged 10.8 potential assists, 13.4 rebound chances and 28.5 minutes per game over that time. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been ruled out for this game due to a quad injury, which bodes well for Giddey. When SGA has been out, Giddey has averaged 17.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 7.0 assists. The Pacers rank 24th in points allowed per 100 possessions.
Victor Wembanyama over 4.5 assists
Wembanyama has recorded over 4.5 assists in four of his last five games, averaging 10.0 potential assists and 31.0 minutes per game over that span. The Spurs are double-digit underdogs against the Pelicans, but Wembanyama managed seven assists against them back on Feb. 7. Wembanyama has surpassed this line in 65% of the 20 games in which he has played 25 or more minutes this season.
Odds provided by ESPN BET. Basketball Power Index by ESPN Analytics. Injury aggregation by Rotowire.com.
Orlando Magic at Charlotte Hornets
7 p.m. Spectrum Center, Charlotte, NC
Records (Against the Spread)
Magic: 45-31 (48-28-0)
Hornets: 18-58 (30-46-0)
Line: Magic (-11.5) Total: 205.5
Money Line: Magic (-800), Hornets (+500)
BPI Projection: Magic by 11.2, straight up 84%, 226.2 total points.
Injury Report:
Magic: Caleb Houstan, (NA – Ankle)
Hornets: Amari Bailey, (GTD – Illness); Brandon Miller, (NA – Wrist); Grant Williams, (NA – Ankle); Miles Bridges, (NA – Wrist); Nick Richards, (NA – Foot); Vasilije Micic, (NA – Shoulder); Cody Martin, (NA – Ankle); LaMelo Ball, (NA – Ankle); Mark Williams, (NA – Back); Seth Curry, (OUT – Ankle)
Oklahoma City Thunder at Indiana Pacers
7 p.m. Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis
Records (Against the Spread)
Thunder: 52-24 (42-33-1)
Pacers: 43-34 (41-34-2)
Line: Pacers (-5.5) Total: 233.5
Money Line: Thunder (+180), Pacers (-210)
BPI Projection: Pacers by 0.5, straight up 52%, 245.2 total points.
Injury Report:
Thunder: Jalen Williams, (NA – Ankle); Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, (NA – Quadriceps)
Pacers: Myles Turner, (NA – Finger); Bennedict Mathurin, (NA – Shoulder)
Portland Trail Blazers at Washington Wizards
7 p.m. Capital One Arena, Washington, D.C.
Records (Against the Spread)
Blazers: 20-56 (37-39-0)
Wizards: 15-62 (35-40-2)
Line: Wizards (-2.5) Total: 221.5
Money Line: Blazers (+110), Wizards (-130)
BPI Projection: Wizards by 2.2, straight up 58%, 222.3 total points.
Injury Report:
Blazers: Ibou Badji, (GTD – Back); Jerami Grant, (GTD – Hamstring); Anfernee Simons, (OUT – Knee); Malcolm Brogdon, (OUT – Elbow); Matisse Thybulle, (OUT – Ankle); Shaedon Sharpe, (OUT – Abdomen); Robert Williams III, (OUT – Knee); Toumani Camara, (OUT – Ribs)
Wizards: Deni Avdija, (GTD – Head); Johnny Davis, (GTD – Ankle); Richaun Holmes, (GTD – Toe); Kyle Kuzma, (OUT – Ankle); Landry Shamet, (OUT – Calf); Tyus Jones, (OUT – Back); Marvin Bagley III, (OUT – Knee); Bilal Coulibaly, (OUT – Wrist); Isaiah Livers, (OUT – Hip)
Sacramento Kings at Boston Celtics
7:30 p.m. TD Garden, Boston
Records (Against the Spread)
Kings: 44-32 (39-36-1)
Celtics: 60-16 (41-32-3)
Line: Celtics (-10.5) Total: 226.5
Money Line: Kings (+380), Celtics (-525)
BPI Projection: Celtics by 18.4, straight up 95%, 240.2 total points.
Injury Report:
Kings: Malik Monk, (NA – Knee); Kevin Huerter, (NA – Shoulder)
Celtics: Derrick White, (NA – Back); Jaylen Brown, (NA – Hand); Jaden Springer, (OUT – Knee)
New York Knicks at Chicago Bulls
8 p.m. United Center, Chicago
Records (Against the Spread)
Knicks: 45-31 (41-34-1)
Bulls: 36-40 (37-38-1)
Line: Bulls (-1.5) Total: 212.5
Money Line: Knicks (-105), Bulls (-115)
BPI Projection: Knicks by 1.6, straight up 56%, 229.1 total points.
Injury Report:
Knicks: Duane Washington Jr., (OUT – Knee); OG Anunoby, (NA – Elbow); Julius Randle, (NA – Shoulder)
Bulls: Torrey Craig, (NA – Knee); Julian Phillips, (NA – Foot); Lonzo Ball, (OUT – Knee); Patrick Williams, (NA – Foot); Zach LaVine, (NA – Foot)
Miami Heat at Houston Rockets
8 p.m. Toyota Center, Houston
Records (Against the Spread)
Heat: 42-34 (36-38-2)
Rockets: 38-38 (42-32-2)
Line: Heat (-2.5) Total: 214.5
Money Line: Heat (-135), Rockets (+115)
BPI Projection: Heat by 0.6, straight up 52%, 223.1 total points.
Injury Report:
Heat: Tyler Herro, (NA – Foot); Josh Richardson, (NA – Shoulder)
Rockets: Amen Thompson, (NA – Ankle); Alperen Sengun, (NA – Ankle); Steven Adams, (NA – Knee); Tari Eason, (NA – Lower Leg)
Detroit Pistons at Memphis Grizzlies
8 p.m. FedExForum, Memphis
Records (Against the Spread)
Pistons: 13-63 (38-37-1)
Grizzlies: 26-50 (36-40-0)
Line: Grizzlies (-1.5) Total: 211.5
Money Line: Pistons (+105), Grizzlies (-125)
BPI Projection: Pistons by 1.7, straight up 56%, 223.6 total points.
Injury Report:
Pistons: Cade Cunningham, (OUT – Knee); Simone Fontecchio, (OUT – Toe); Taj Gibson, (OUT – Hamstring); Ausar Thompson, (OUT – Illness); Isaiah Stewart, (OUT – Hamstring); Quentin Grimes, (OUT – Knee); Stanley Umude, (OUT – Ankle)
Grizzlies: Brandon Clarke, (OUT – Rest); Desmond Bane, (OUT – Back); Jaren Jackson Jr., (OUT – Quadriceps); John Konchar, (OUT – Heel); Luke Kennard, (OUT – Knee); Santi Aldama, (OUT – Foot); Vince Williams Jr., (OUT – Knee); Yuta Watanabe, (OUT – Personal); Marcus Smart, (OUT – Finger); Derrick Rose, (OUT – Groin)
Toronto Raptors at Milwaukee Bucks
8 p.m. Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee
Records (Against the Spread)
Raptors: 23-53 (32-44-0)
Bucks: 47-29 (33-43-0)
Line: Bucks (-15.5) Total: 227.5
Money Line: Raptors (+750), Bucks (-1400)
BPI Projection: Bucks by 13.5, straight up 88%, 233.4 total points.
Injury Report:
Raptors: Bruce Brown, (GTD – Knee); D.J. Carton, (GTD – Ankle); Gary Trent Jr., (GTD – Back); Ochai Agbaji, (GTD – Hip); Jakob Poeltl, (OUT – Finger); Scottie Barnes, (OUT – Hand); Chris Boucher, (OUT – Knee); Jontay Porter, (OUT – Personal)
Bucks: Damian Lillard, (GTD – Groin); Giannis Antetokounmpo, (GTD – Hamstring); MarJon Beauchamp, (GTD – Ankle); Patrick Beverley, (GTD – Ankle)
San Antonio Spurs at New Orleans Pelicans
8 p.m. Smoothie King Center, New Orleans
Records (Against the Spread)
Spurs: 18-58 (39-36-1)
Pelicans: 45-31 (40-35-1)
Line: Pelicans (-11.5) Total: 218.5
Money Line: Spurs (+500), Pelicans (-800)
BPI Projection: Pelicans by 12.1, straight up 86%, 229.9 total points.
Injury Report:
Spurs: Keldon Johnson, (GTD – Foot); Cedi Osman, (OUT – Ankle); Dominick Barlow, (OUT – Knee); Charles Bassey, (OUT – Knee); Devin Vassell, (OUT – Foot); Jeremy Sochan, (OUT – Ankle)
Pelicans: Zion Williamson, (GTD – Finger); Jose Alvarado, (OUT – Oblique); Brandon Ingram, (OUT – Knee)
Golden State Warriors at Dallas Mavericks
8:30 p.m. American Airlines Center, Dallas
Records (Against the Spread)
Warriors: 42-34 (41-33-2)
Mavericks: 46-30 (45-31-0)
Line: Mavericks (-5.5) Total: 227.5
Money Line: Warriors (+170), Mavericks (-200)
BPI Projection: Mavericks by 1.9, straight up 57%, 238.3 total points.
Injury Report:
Warriors: Andrew Wiggins, (NA – Ankle); Dario Saric, (NA – Knee); Jonathan Kuminga, (NA – Knee)
Mavericks: Greg Brown III, (GTD – Personal); Josh Green, (NA – Ankle); Dereck Lively II, (NA – Knee)
Minnesota Timberwolves at Phoenix Suns
10 p.m. Footprint Center, Phoenix
Records (Against the Spread)
Timberwolves: 53-23 (39-34-3)
Suns: 45-31 (34-41-1)
Line: Suns (-4.5) Total: 216.5
Money Line: Timberwolves (+150), Suns (-175)
BPI Projection: Suns by 0.2, straight up 51%, 230.7 total points.
Injury Report:
Timberwolves: Jaylen Clark, (OUT – Achilles); Karl-Anthony Towns, (NA – Knee)
Suns: Grayson Allen, (NA – Hip); Jusuf Nurkic, (NA – Calf); Damion Lee, (NA – Knee)
Utah Jazz at LA Clippers
10:30 p.m. Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles
Records (Against the Spread)
Jazz: 29-47 (38-38-0)
Clippers: 48-28 (35-40-0)
Line: Clippers (-12.5) Total: 223.5
Money Line: Jazz (+600), Clippers (-900)
BPI Projection: Clippers by 11.9, straight up 85%, 242.8 total points.
Injury Report:
Jazz: John Collins, (OUT – Back); Jordan Clarkson, (OUT – Back); Walker Kessler, (OUT – Nose); Lauri Markkanen, (OUT – Shoulder)
Clippers: Joshua Primo, (OUT – Ankle); Kawhi Leonard, (OUT – Knee); Jordan Miller, (OUT – Thumb); Moussa Diabate, (OUT – Hand)