NBA Picks & Predictions: Friday (10/30)
We’ve got 10 Emirates NBA Cup games scheduled for this evening, so you’ll have plenty of betting options. Here are my two best NBA picks for Friday, October 30th.
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Friday’s Best NBA Picks & Predictions
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Orlando Magic at Toronto Raptors
Toronto and Orlando meet for the second time in three days. There’s little reason to expect a much different result. The Raptors cruised to a 129-99 win over the Magic on October 28th, despite missing Kawhi Leonard. Now they get another home matchup against an Orlando team that’s struggling without two key starters.
The Raptors have been outstanding defensively to start the season, ranking first in the NBA in defensive rating. That was evident on Wednesday, when Toronto held Orlando to 99 points and forced 20 turnovers. Scottie Barnes led the way with 28 points, and RJ Barrett added 25 in a convincing 30-point win.
Orlando is dealing with significant injuries, with Paolo Banchero and Jalen Suggs both sidelined. Banchero’s absence is huge for an offense ranked near the bottom in scoring. Franz Wagner and Desmond Bane combined for just 28 points on 7-of-25 shooting on Wednesday, showing how difficult things have become without Orlando’s leading scorer.
Toronto has also shown it can win comfortably without Leonard. Barnes and Barrett can carry the offense, and the Raptors have enough defensive talent to make life difficult for Orlando’s remaining playmakers. The Magic have struggled to generate consistent offense, so it’s hard to see them making enough adjustments in just two days to completely turn things around.
Friday’s matchup also adds motivation, as it counts toward the Emirates NBA Cup. Point differential can determine group standings, giving Toronto an incentive to keep pushing even if it builds a comfortable lead.
Pick: Raptors -5.5 (-115)
Indiana Pacers at Miami Heat
The Pacers have dropped two straight games. Their injury situation is becoming a major concern. Indiana will be without Tyrese Haliburton, who is sidelined with a hamstring injury, leaving the offense without its best playmaker. Miami hasn’t started the season well, but the Heat finally broke through with a 12-point road victory over Atlanta.
Haliburton’s absence is a massive blow for Indiana. The All-Star guard was averaging 21.8 points and 9.5 assists before getting hurt. T.J. McConnell and Ivica Zubac are also sidelined, leaving Indiana shorthanded at multiple positions.
Miami finally showed some life against Atlanta after losing its first four games. The Heat have plenty of offensive talent, including Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bam Adebayo and Klay Thompson. That victory could help them build some momentum. Now they return home in a good spot to face an Indiana team that’s missing several important contributors.
The Heat also have extra motivation, as this is their Emirates NBA Cup opener. Point differential can matter in the group standings, so Miami has an incentive to keep pushing even if it builds a comfortable lead. With that in mind, I’ll lay the points with Miami.
Pick: Heat -7.5 (-118)