The NBA Cup final four teams might be finalized, but that doesn’t mean the excitement stops. This Friday brings us a lineup of intriguing matchups. We’ve handpicked two standout games to dive into. Stay tuned as we break down the action.
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Friday’s Best NBA Picks
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Los Angles Lakers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (-9) | O/U 214.5 (-108/-112)
It just keeps going from bad to worse for the Lakers. They’ve lost seven of their last 10, each against teams at the bottom of the Western Conference standings. Overall, this team looks flat.
They lost a tight game to the Hawks, but of the other previous losses during this stretch, four were been by 20+ points. Simply, they have no depth beyond LeBron James and Anthony Davis. The depth got a little lighter as James is out for at least this game as he deals with a foot issue.
The Timberwolves’ new roster took some time to adjust, but they might finally be getting going. They've won three of their last four, including a 29-point win against the Lakers.
They still have Anthony Edwards, and that's important. He's ninth in the league in points, averaging 24.6 per game. Julius Randle, who is behind Edwards with 20.4 points per game, looks like he will be the best return from this trade.
The key to the Timberwolves' last win was behind the arc. Minnesota is 10th in three-point percentage (37.5%), while Los Angeles is 26th in three-point defense (37.2%). On the flip side, the Timberwolves are fourth in three-point defense (34%), but the Lakers are only 18th in three-point shooting (35.2%). That's how Minnesota will win.
Pick: Timberwolves -9 (-108)
Washington Wizards vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (-17) | O/U 232.5 (-110/-110)
The Cavaliers are coming off something rare: A loss. They only have four of those this season, which is the fewest in the league. They are a completely different team from last season.
This was one of the better defenses last season, ranking sixth in defensive efficiency, but this year under new head coach Kenny Atkinson, they are No. 1 in offensive efficiency. Their top three scorers - Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland and Evan Mobley - are each averaging at least 18 points per game, followed by Jarrett Allen as one of the premier centers, averaging 13 points and 10 rebounds.
We talked about the best, and now we'll cover the worst. The Wizards have fewer wins (three) than the Cavs have losses (four), and that has as much to do with a 16-game losing streak they broke last week.
Some talent, like Jordan Poole, is averaging 20 points, but players like Kyle Kuzma and Jonas Valanciunas are playing well below their potential.
Pick: Cavaliers -17 (-110)
