It's Friday in the NBA, and there are plenty of great games on the schedule. With some really intriguing matchups on the slate, we could see some crazy outcomes on this Friday the 13th. Let's take a look at some of the best matchups and go over our top NBA picks & predictions.
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Friday’s Best NBA Picks & Predictions
(Odds courtesy of Fanduel Sportsbook)
Memphis Grizzlies at Detroit Pistons
Despite some poor performances straight up (SU), these Grizzlies have been an over machine lately. They've seen four consecutive games go over and seven of their last 10. A big reason is that they've given up 120+ points in each of the last four games and an average of 127.5 points per game. They'll play a Detroit team that has not shot the ball well recently, which has led to six unders in their last 11 games.
The Detroit offense ranks only 11th in offensive rating, and a big reason is their average effective field goal rate (eFG%), which is driven heavily by their ability to get out in transition and attack the basket. However, in this matchup with Memphis, the shooting woes could be negated by the fact that they are a strong offensive rebounding team, and Memphis ranks in the bottom 10 of defensive rebounding rate. The Grizzlies also allow over 65% shooting at the rim this season, and the Pistons shoot nearly 40% of their field goals from the rim.
The Pistons have been really good on the second night of a back-to-back. They're 8-2 SU and average 123 points in those games. That offensive surge is something we can expect to see against a Memphis defense that has lapsed recently and doesn't defend the rim well. Overall, this matchup is a good recipe for an over.
Pick: Over 231.5 Points (-110)
New York Knicks at Indiana Pacers
The Pacers are on one of the most futile streaks you'll ever see. Indiana has lost 11 straight games both SU and against the spread (ATS). The easy bet here might just be to take the Knicks ATS, but New York is actually below .500 ATS on the season (15-19). A big reason is that they just haven't been nearly as good defensively on the road as they have at home, allowing 2.6 points per game more away from Madison Square Garden.
On this current road trip, the Knicks have gone 3-1 to the over. In their last six road games, they have gone 4-2 to the over. Indiana is a team that will do their part to make sure this game is high scoring. Their defense ranks in the bottom third of the league, and they like to play at a fast pace, averaging 101.2 possessions per game. New York is an excellent shooting team that takes care of the ball and rebounds on the offensive boards at a top-six rate in the league.
Although New York has a really strong defense, they've given up 114 points per game on this current road trip. The Pacers aren't a very good offense, but could have some success in this matchup because of the venue. I do like the Knicks to continue the woes of the Pacers, but with such a large spread, the over is one of my best bets of the night.
Pick: Over 227.5 Points (-110)
Utah Jazz at Portland Trail Blazers
You might be surprised to find that one of the best ATS teams at home this season is the Portland Trail Blazers. Despite being 31-35 SU overall and 35-31 ATS, they're a very impressive 20-13 ATS at the Moda Center. The Blazers are a really exciting young team headed squarely for an NBA Play-In Tournament spot and a chance at the playoffs. Meanwhile, Utah is near the bottom of the Western Conference standings and just a few losses away from clinching another lottery spot.
This matchup hasn't gone well for Utah all season. Portland is 3-0 SU and 2-1 ATS, with the last two games being 20- and 16-point wins, respectively. They've averaged 136 points per game in those three matchups because Utah isn't a team that can take advantage of a turnover-prone offense like Portland. The Trail Blazers average the highest turnover rate in the league, but Utah is in the bottom eight as far as creating turnovers.
The Trail Blazers are about as healthy as they've been all season, and that is one of the big reasons for this large spread. Additionally, they've had two days off since a tough loss to the Hornets, where they still picked up an ATS cover. Utah is starting a three-game road trip where they've been just 8-24 SU on the season. I expect this game to go a lot like the first three matchups in this series, where the Trail Blazers do whatever they want on offense and the Jazz let it get away from them.
Pick: Trail Blazers -13 (-110)
