The NBA Cup play continues on Friday with nine games on the schedule. As the competition continues to heat up, you can expect plenty of good opportunities to bet sides and totals. Let's take a look at a few of the matchups to find some of my best bets of the night.
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Friday’s Best NBA Picks & Predictions
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Brooklyn Nets at Orlando Magic
After a rough start to the year, the Magic are seemingly turning into the team they hoped to be when they made the big splash to acquire Desmond Bane. They're 5-2 SU and ATS after a 1-4 SU and 0-5 ATS start to the year. They come into this matchup with the 1-10 Nets as massive favorites, but is it too much?
Sure, Orlando has look improved over the last few weeks but this includes wins over Washington, Charlotte, and a reeling Boston team. The win on Wednesday over the Knicks was impressive but the Magic shot the ball well and above their season averages. This seems like a perfect sell high spot.
This Nets team is bad but ATS they've been much more competitive. They're 4-6 over their last 10 and against some of the teams that aren't hovering around the top of the standings, they've been covering. I think Orlando truly sits amongst that group. I'll hold my nose and take this ugly dog against the Magic on Friday night.
Pick: Nets +14.5 (-110)
Miami Heat at New York Knicks
This Eastern Conference rivalry renews on Friday in Madison Square Garden. It's been a strong start to the campaign for both teams, but the Knicks have hit a bit of a snag with Jalen Brunson going out with injury. His ankle sprain will have him out for a bit and in the meantime the Knicks will have to find a way to make the offense work without him. I don't think they'll have much issue.
The Knicks still have an elite offense. Their ORtg sits amongst the top four in the league and they are an efficient offensive rebounding team and they take care of the ball very well. Miami has continued their defensive identity under Erik Spoelstra but they have one of the worst defensive rebounding rates in the league. I expect the Knicks to get plenty of extra scoring opportunities.
Miami has really struggled against some of their better opponents this year and although they do already own a win over the Knicks this season, New York shot terribly from the field and allowed 10 more free throws than they attempted. The tides should turn Friday with a Knicks win and cover.
Pick: Knicks -4.5 (-105)
Portland Trail Blazers at Houston Rockets
The addition of Kevin Durant has certainly elevated the Rockets from competitive to contender. They sit second in NET rating, ORtg and DRtg. They're easily one of the three best teams in the league with Oklahoma City and Denver. They're better than Portland and at home should win this game, but that's not how I'm looking at it.
Of course, Portland has already had it's share of turmoil this season. Regardless of who is on the sidelines for the Blazers, they've been a much improved team this season with the addition of Jrue Holiday. They're a strong rebounding team and they turn their opponents over at a rate that is one of the best in the league. In fact, that is a matchup that they have the advantage in.
Houston is one of the worst teams at taking care of the ball. Outside of Durant, they have plenty of young ball handlers and that shows. Their turnover rate is in the bottom third of the league. I'm also concerned about Houston's motivation here. Last week, they lost in their Cup Group Play game against the Spurs and looked unmotivated on defense. I'm betting the Trail Blazers come out as the more motivated and aggressive team, giving the Rockets fits all night.
Pick: Trail Blazers +8.5 (-110)
