This is it! This is the final day of preseason basketball!
On Tuesday, we’ll have coverage for two regular-season NBA games featured on TNT.
Let’s finish out the preseason strong. Eight games are on the slate tonight, and I’ve got a best bet for all of them.
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Friday’s Best NBA Preseason Bets
Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook | All wagers are for 1 unit
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Indiana Pacers
The Cavaliers last played against R’Anana. Most of their starters, including Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, and Darius Garland, sat in that game. Those guys played against the Magic in a game prior, but Mitchell went 3-for-14 from the field, while Mobley added just 11 points and four rebounds in 22 minutes. Meanwhile, the Pacers saw some good things from Tyrese Haliburton in their last game against the Hawks. He added 15 points with eight assists in 23 minutes. The Pacers have a strong bench, with Aaron Nesmith, Jarace Walker, and Buddy Hield all coming off the bench. Indiana is shooting the ball better and has more depth on the bench.
Bet: Pacers +1.5 (-110)
Flamengo vs. Orlando Magic
The last time Flamengo played a preseason game against an NBA team was in 2018 against the Orlando Magic. They lost that game, 119-82. The Magic are 2-1 in preseason. However, Orlando lost 104-92 to the Pelicans, who hadn’t earned a win until that game. Franz Wagner scored 19 points on 8-for-11. However, Paolo Banchero and the rest of the starters didn’t even make double figures. The bench got production from Moe Wagner and Garry Harris. But overall, the Magic need to perform at a much higher rate moving forward. Orlando has way too much talent to be struggling. Hopefully, a game against Flamengo will get them on point for the regular season.
Bet: (-110)
Atlanta Hawks vs. Philadelphia 76ers
Atlanta took its first preseason loss against the Pacers four days ago. However, the Hawks didn’t play Trae Young or Dejounte Murray in that game. Other guys stepped up. Saddiq Bey scored 21 points and added ten rebounds in 20 minutes off the bench. Meanwhile, De’Andre Hunter scored 16 points in 20 minutes as a starter. Even A.J. Griffin got involved with 15 points. Atlanta certainly has depth heading into the season.
Meanwhile, Philadelphia earned its first win of the season. James Harden is nowhere to be found. However, Kelly Oubre Jr. playing in his spot isn’t so bad. Oubre added 21 points in 33 minutes, shooting 9-for-24 from the field. He couldn’t find a shot he didn’t like, but his leadership with Joel Embiid out was crucial in the win against the Nets. However, the 76ers have struggled defensively.
Therefore, I’ll take the Hawks in a tight one.
Bet: Hawks +2.5 (-110)
Washington Wizards vs. Toronto Raptors
The Washington Wizards are 3-0 in preseason action. There’s more hype around Washington after these three games. But hold it. Jordan Poole will have games where he can’t hit anything. He’ll also have games that he can’t miss. He couldn’t miss against the Knicks in a 131-106 game, scoring 41 points. But his teammates were unhappy with his style of play, which will only start to hurt the team down the stretch.
On the other hand, the Raptors are also 3-0 after a win against the Bulls, 106-102. Scottie Barnes and Pascal Siakam each added 22 points in 28+ minutes. The bench will need to develop over time, but Toronto’s lineup surely looks better than Washington’s.
Bet: Raptors -5.5 (-110)
Detroit Pistons vs. Dallas Mavericks
Detroit’s got an exciting team. The Pistons just defeated the Thunder in back-to-back games, scoring at least 118 in both games. Cade Cunningham would’ve had a triple-double if he got more than 22 minutes. Meanwhile, they’ve got Jaden Ivey and James Wiseman coming off the bench, along with a veteran like Marvin Bagley III and Joe Harris. I love the mix of young and old. Then there’s the Mavericks, who are now 0-3 in preseason play. The Mavericks just allowed 127 points to Real Madrid and lost. Granted, Luca Doncic only played five minutes, and Kyrie Irving was nowhere to be found. But the depth on Dallas lacks. I’m worried for Mavericks fans this year.
Give me Detroit. They’re moving in the right direction.
Bet: Pistons +4.5 (-110)
Miami Heat vs. Houston Rockets
The Heat and Rockets will each play their fifth game of the preseason. The Heat most recently lost to the Nets, 107-104. Most of the starters didn’t play. Bam Adebayo added 16 minutes, while Josh Richardson played seven minutes. But Cole Swider is starting to come into his own. Jamal Cain is also an exciting prospect, along with the young Nikola Jovic. They’ll take on a Rockets team that has gone 3-1 in preseason. The Rockets couldn’t contain Victor Wembanyama. But Jabari Smith Jr. added 20 points, while Cam Whitmore added 17 points. The young guys got to play that game and shined while Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, and Fred VanVleet all sat.
Houston’s core is not getting enough love. Give me the Rockets on their home floor.
Bet: Rockets +1 (-110)
Memphis Grizzlies vs. Milwaukee Bucks
Memphis began the preseason with a 2-o record. Now they’re 2-2 with losses to the Heat and Hawks. Memphis didn’t play Marcus Smart last time, along with Brandon Clarke, GG Jackson, Steven Adams, Ja Morant, etc. But plenty of guys still showed up, including Desmond Bane, who scored 26 points in 25 minutes. Jaren Jackson Jr. also got the start and scored 14. Santi Aldama added 15, while David Roddy scored 13. Memphis is so deep, and that’s what makes them so good.
On the other hand, the Bucks are 2-2 in preseason after Damian Lillard scored just five points in 25 minutes for the Bucks. The Giannis-Lillard combo will be fun. But it could take some time to develop. It’s not encouraging when Malik Beasley is your leading scorer after earning fewer minutes than Giannis Antetkounpo and Damian Lillard.
I’ll back the Grizzlies.
Bet: Grizzlies +4 (-110)
San Antonio Spurs vs. Golden State Warriors
There’s been a lot of talk about Victor Wembanyama. He played 21 minutes against the Rockets and scored 15 points after shooting 3-for-10 from the field. He wasn’t super efficient, but he got to the line and added six rebounds in those 21 minutes. However, Devin Vassell can really start to play at a high level now. He scored 25 points on 5-for-10 from three in that game. The Spurs will take on a Warriors team that is 4-0 in preseason. Golden State just watched Steph Curry score 30 points in 31 minutes. The Warriors played their typical lineup and rotation against the Kings and will likely keep it that way against the Spurs in the final game of the preseason.
I’ll grab the Warriors here.
Bet: Warriors -4 (-110)
Before making your bets, please be advised that many players in these preseason games will be game-time decisions and could be ruled out after the publication of this article.
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