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NBA Odds & Best Bets Today: Schedule, Picks for Friday

Young Juliet

Updated on February 24, 2023 at 3:50 PM EST. Read time: 4 minutes and 19 seconds. For more information, visit our Twitter and Google News links.

Best bets today from around the NBA.
Best bets today from around the NBA.

Now that the Association is back in action, we are analyzing Friday’s eight-game slate on Feb. 24 to determine where the best value lies. Keep reading for our NBA picks and predictions, taking into account the most recent odds available.

The NBA has returned, with teams aiming to establish their identity in 2023, whether they are vying for play-in spots, battling for playoff positioning, or focusing on building for 2024. There are opportunities to be seized, and we are ready to uncover them.

On Friday, there are eight games scheduled, highlighted by an ESPN showdown between the Miami Heat and Milwaukee Bucks. The Oklahoma City Thunder will also be featured in a rare national TV game against the Phoenix Suns, while the Sacramento Kings will face off against the Los Angeles Clippers in a late-night matchup that could be a playoff preview.

Below are our top NBA betting picks for Friday, with odds sourced from DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, and Caesars. Each pick is rated on a scale of 1 to 5 stars based on confidence.

Take a look at our NBA predictions and top NBA betting platforms.

Friday’s NBA schedule and odds

(Odds via DraftKings)

  • New York Knicks (-1.5) vs. Washington Wizards
  • Miami Heat (+1.5) vs. Milwaukee Bucks
  • Cleveland Cavaliers (+1) vs. Atlanta Hawks
  • Charlotte Hornets (+6) vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
  • Brooklyn Nets (+2) vs. Chicago Bulls
  • Oklahoma City Thunder (+7) vs. Phoenix SUns
  • Houston Rockets (+10.5) vs. Golden State Warriors
  • Sacramento Kings (+6.5) vs. Los Angeles Clippers

Friday’s NBA best bets

  • Spread: Thunder +7 (-110 via Caesars) vs. Suns ⭐⭐⭐
  • Total: Heat-Bucks Under 219.5 (-110 via FanDuel) ⭐⭐⭐
  • Player prop: Russell Westbrook 1st quarter Over 1.5 assists (+140 via DraftKings) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
  • Player prop SGP: Kyle Anderson four-plus rebounds and Timberwolves ML (-125 via FanDuel) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Take a look at our NBA Finals and NBA MVP betting odds.

NBA top picks for Friday

Spread: Thunder +7 (-110 via Caesars) vs. Suns ⭐⭐⭐

Despite the Thunder’s hard-fought overtime loss on Thursday, they now face a well-rested Suns team in Phoenix on national television on Friday. While the Suns are favored by 7 points, this spread is likely an overreaction.

The Thunder have an impressive 35-21-2 record against the spread this season, the best in the NBA. They are also the best team in the league at bouncing back after a loss with a 19-10-0 ATS record. Despite being at a rest disadvantage with a 10-6-0 ATS record, they are nearly at full strength today with defensive-minded wings Luguentz Dort and Kenrich Williams ready to shut down the Suns’ scorers. The Suns will be limited today as Kevin Durant has not yet made his debut for the team.

The Thunder leading the NBA in drives per game on offense is a promising sign as they prepare to face the Suns, who have struggled defensively in the paint and mid-range since the trade involving Mikal Bridges and Cameron Johnson. With improved shooting and a determined attitude, it seems likely that the Thunder will give the Suns a tough challenge.

Total: Heat-Bucks Under 219.5 (-110 via FanDuel) ⭐⭐⭐

The line has steadily dropped throughout the morning for a valid reason, indicating it’s a good time to make a move before it drops even more. Despite former MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo being absent from this nationally-televised game, Milwaukee’s defense is expected to remain strong. Defensive stalwarts Jrue Holiday and Jevon Carter are in good health, and Brook Lopez will have ample chances to showcase his rim-protecting skills against a Miami offense that has struggled with shooting consistency all season.

It is expected that the Heat will begin the game with their strongest defensive lineup, consisting of Gabe Vincent, Jimmy Butler, Caleb Martin, and Bam Adebayo. In Friday’s game, backup guard Victor Oladipo and versatile defender Haywood Highsmith will also be ready to play for the Heat. The Heat have played against a Bucks team without Antetokounmpo twice this season, and both times the total score was under the predicted number.

Both teams were able to rest and focus on defense during the All-Star Break, making it a good bet to support this play.

Player prop: Russell Westbrook 1st quarter Over 1.5 assists (-110 via DraftKings) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Throughout the entire season, the Clippers have been missing a genuine point guard. Despite Russell Westbrook not delivering the same elite offensive performance he used to, Paul George saw value in recruiting him after the trade deadline. This is evident by Westbrook being inserted into the starting lineup on Friday due to his exceptional playmaking skills.

Westbrook has notched at least two first quarter assists in two out of his three starts for the Lakers this season. Now, he will be surrounded by a greater number of skilled scorers. He is transitioning from playing alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis to teaming up with the superstar duo of George and Kawhi Leonard. Additionally, Marcus Morris and Mason Plumlee offer the ability to score from mid-range and finish with dunks, respectively. With Ty Lue as head coach, the Clippers present a more well-rounded offense for Westbrook to generate assists compared to his time with the Lakers before the trade deadline.

The Kings present a favorable matchup. In their past seven games, Sacramento has given up the 10th-highest number of assists per game to point guards and the third-highest overall. Additionally, they are playing on the second night of a back-to-back, which may lead to a slower start on defense.

Player prop SGP: Kyle Anderson four-plus rebounds and Timberwolves ML (-125 via FanDuel) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Timberwolves have underperformed this season, particularly in games where they were expected to win. Nonetheless, they should have no trouble defeating the Hornets.

The Timberwolves and the other team had already faced off once this season when both teams were at full strength. In that game, the Timberwolves lost by two points in Charlotte, largely due to their poor 22% shooting from beyond the arc.

The Hornets have won their last two games by shooting a combined 47.2% from beyond the arc. Despite being the worst 3-point shooting team in the NBA, they are expected to improve their shooting on Friday. Charlotte has a record of 5-23 when playing as underdogs on the road this season.

Kyle Anderson is poised to play a significant role in securing a victory for Minnesota. Throughout the season, he has showcased exceptional versatility and proven to be a top performer in clutch situations for the Timberwolves.

This season, the Hornets have given up the fourth-highest number of rebounds per game to power forwards, and Anderson has grabbed four or more rebounds in 15 out of his 20 starts playing with Rudy Gobert. Put together a correlated same-game parlay with these two legs at FanDuel for a higher payout.

The top NBA wagers placed on 02/24/2023 at 2:15 p.m. ET.

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Written By:
Young Juliet
Ahaan is an analytics researcher who works in fantasy football and sports betting, focusing on MLB, NBA, and NFL. He’s previously contributed fantasy baseball and football content for Fantrax and currently is a betting analyst for PlayerProfiler, where he has also been a director of analytics. When Ahaan is not capping sports props, he’s often playing sports such as floor hockey and basketball and binge-watching The Voice.