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

Young Juliet

Updated on March 10, 2023 at 2:51 PM EST • Read time: 4 minutes and 33 seconds. Find more information on Twitter and Google News.

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

Below, we will examine the top NBA odds and highlight the best bets for Friday in the NBA.

On Friday night, there are six NBA games to watch, featuring a rematch between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat on NBA TV, as well as a late-night showdown between the Toronto Raptors and Los Angeles Lakers on national TV with play-in spots up for grabs. We have identified some opportunities for value betting to help boost your bankroll. Let’s dive in without delay…

Below are our top NBA picks for Friday, with odds from DraftKings and FanDuel. Confidence levels are rated on a scale of one to five stars.

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

Friday’s NBA schedule and odds

(Odds via DraftKings)

  • Portland Trail Blazers vs. Philadelphia 76ers (-9.5)
  • Atlanta Hawks (-1.5) vs. Washington Wizards
  • Brooklyn Nets vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (-4.5)
  • Denver Nuggets (-12.5) vs. San Antonio Spurs
  • Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Miami Heat (-2)
  • Toronto Raptors (-2) vs. Los Angeles Lakers

Friday’s NBA best bets

  • Spread: Nuggets -12.5 vs. Spurs (-110 via DraftKings) ⭐⭐
  • Total: Hawks-Wizards Under 238 (-110 via DraftKings) ⭐⭐⭐
  • Player prop: Jarred Vanderbilt Over 7.5 rebounds (-115 via FanDuel) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
  • Player prop: Donovan Mitchell Over 5.5 assists (+108 via FanDuel) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

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NBA top picks

Spread: Nuggets -12.5 (-110 via DraftKings) vs. Spurs ⭐⭐

Purchasing large point spreads in the NBA can be nerve-wracking, but the Denver Nuggets are easing those fears with their performance on Friday. Despite over 65% of the public betting on the San Antonio Spurs to cover the 12.5 point spread, the line has remained unchanged. The public’s reaction to the Nuggets’ recent loss to the Chicago Bulls is an overreaction, as Denver has a strong track record in situations like these. The Nuggets are undefeated both straight up and against the spread in games following losses of 19 or more points, making them a reliable bet in this scenario.

Despite the Nuggets holding a strong position at the top of the Western Conference standings, the Spurs are in a difficult position to pose any threat to them. Since Zach Collins took over as the permanent center for the Spurs instead of Jakob Poeltl, the team has struggled defensively, ranking in the bottom five in defending the restricted area, the paint, and corner threes.

Introducing the Denver Nuggets, led by center Nikola Jokić, a standout post-passer in NBA history. Following the All-Star break, the Nuggets have excelled in field goal attempts in the restricted area and corner three zone, ranking in the top 10 of the league. With key players Jokić and Aaron Gordon healthy on defense, the Nuggets are well-equipped to handle the Spurs, who struggle with offensive efficiency in the restricted area and rely heavily on a few key players.

The Spurs have been shooting well from beyond the arc in their recent games, scoring 110 points in each. However, the Nuggets are likely to humble them and take control early in a Friday matchup.

Total: Hawks-Wizards Under 238 (-110 via DraftKings) ⭐⭐⭐

These two teams have already played each other twice this season. In their first game in Atlanta last month, they combined for 235 points. In their most recent game in Washington earlier this week, they combined for 242 points. The Hawks shot 37.1% from three in the first matchup, while both teams shot 41.4% from three in the more recent game.

Betting on a decrease in offensive performance is a wise move, particularly for teams like the Hawks and Wizards who are not known for playing at a fast pace. Since the All-Star break, both teams have ranked in the middle of the pack in terms of pace. With their key players back and focusing on defense, facing each other frequently should lead to stronger defensive performances as they compete for playoff positioning in the Eastern Conference.

Player Prop: Jarred Vanderbilt Over 7.5 rebounds (-115 via FanDuel) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Predicting the starting lineup for Darvin Ham’s Lakers has been an exciting journey this season, and now is the ideal moment to capitalize on the unpredictable potential of Vanderbilt. With the Lakers desperate for victories and requiring significant playing time from versatile players like Vanderbilt, it is crucial for him to step up in the absence of LeBron James to secure a play-in spot. Vanderbilt’s unique combination of length, speed in transition, and ability to defend any position will be key assets against the dynamic Raptors, who boast their own array of versatile players.

The Lakers have no valid excuse for not giving him significant playing time, as he consistently performs well even in limited minutes. Vanderbilt has recorded at least eight rebounds in six out of his 10 games with the Lakers, including two out of four games when James is absent but Anthony Davis is playing. In their recent seven games, the Raptors have been giving up the fifth-highest number of rebounds per game to power forwards.

Vanderbilt has averaged a rebound distance of 6.2 feet while playing for the Lakers. Since the All-Star break, players with a comparable profile have performed against the Raptors with Poeltl in the starting lineup as follows:

  • Brandon Ingram: 7 rebounds in 37 minutes
  • Aaron Gordon: 6 rebounds and Michael Porter Jr.: 5 rebounds in the same game
  • Kawhi Leonard: 12 rebounds in 40 minutes

Provide the minutes, and the opportunities for rebounds will follow. While other books are already increasing the Over line, you can still find a better deal on FanDuel.

Player Prop: Donovan Mitchell Over 5.5 assists (+108 via FanDuel) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

A prop bet with plus-money odds is always appealing, but it’s even more enticing when it defies expectations. In his three matchups against the Heat this season, Mitchell has consistently averaged 6.0 assists on 8.3 potential assists per game. This trend aligns with Miami’s defensive strategy under coach Erik Spoelstra, who emphasizes pressuring the opposing team’s top scorer to distribute the ball. Mitchell will need to continue facilitating for his teammates in a game that is predicted to be tightly contested according to the sportsbooks.

Additionally, point guard Darius Garland’s status has been downgraded to questionable and he did not take part in the shoot-around. If he is unable to play, the betting line may increase significantly, possibly reaching 7.5 on certain sportsbooks. In their recent seven games, the Heat have given up a high number of assists to point guards and shooting guards. Take advantage of this situation by placing your bet on Mitchell to make a significant impact in Friday’s game.

The top NBA wagers placed on 03/10/2023 at 2:15 p.m. Eastern Time.

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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.