NBA Odds, Picks & Predictions: Friday (3/7)
We’ve got another full slate of exciting NBA matchups. Let’s examine two of them and dive into our best bets.
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Friday's Best NBA Picks
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Memphis Grizzlies (-10) vs. Dallas Mavericks | O/U 239.5 (-112/-108)
The Grizzlies are coming in on a little bit of a slide, having dropped three straight. We’re seeing the problem with their style of play - playing as fast as possible is tough when you can’t defend. They have allowed over 120 points and a 52% field goal rate in the last three games.
Nobody knows about bad luck more than the Mavericks. Injuries have been just one of the reasons they will not make it back to the NBA Finals. They currently have four players that will be out for some time and three listed out for this game. That doesn't include Kyrie Irving, who is done for the year. This has impacted their field of play because they have dropped four of their last five games, with three losses of 20+ points.
The spread could be a tricky bet with it being so high, but Memphis’s pace of play allows their games to go over, which will help some players trying to impress the staff for next season.
Pick: Over 239.5 Points (-112)
Phoenix Suns vs. Denver Nuggets (-7.5) | O/U 238.5 (-110/-110)
After the Nuggets had their nine-game winning streak that had switched between wins and losses, it's been a tough schedule recently, playing the Lakers, Celtics, Bucks and Pistons. One thing we are seeing is a different style of offense. They’ve been moving it around more and it's helped take pressure off Nikola Jokic.
Jokic has been their leading scorer much less lately, with Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. trading off as the point leaders. Instead, he's been a facilitator and rebounder as he's led the team in both categories in nine of their last 13 games while only leading in points twice in that same span.
The Suns are plummeting and they are currently out of the playoffs. After rumors of possibly moving Kevin Durant never came through, those have sparked back up, as they might move him after another disappointing season. Since February 1st, the Suns are 4-11, the third-worst winning percentage in that span, and are 29th in points allowed per game (123.7). This lack of defense has forced this team to play faster. The offense has played better, but it's still only 15th (116.3 points per game).
At home, with a mismatch of the Suns’ defense and the Nuggets’ offense, this is a good spot for Denver.
Pick: Nuggets -7.5 (-108)