Friday’s 10-game NBA slate is sure to have plenty of action, even in the backdrop of March Madness. There’s only one national TV game tonight, and it won’t be until 10 p.m. EST time- Dallas Mavericks at Portland Trail Blazers.
Last night, I went 2-2 to bring my season-long record to a very profitable 56-32-2 ATS (63.6%). To take us into the weekend, I have four more free NBA picks to increase your bankroll:
Table of contents
- Detroit Pistons at Houston Rockets (-2) – Total: 214.5
- Chicago Bulls at Denver Nuggets (-7.5) – Total: 225.5
- Minnesota Timberwolves at Phoenix Suns (-11) – Total: 231
- Dallas Mavericks (-3.5) at Portland Trail Blazers – Total: 234
Detroit Pistons at Houston Rockets (-2) – Total: 214.5
DET: normal rest
HOU: 3 games in 4 days, 4 games in 6 days
Regardless of the favorable trends here, I feel like the Pistons are somehow the better play in this matchup. Both teams are building toward the future, but it feels like Detroit is actually trying to win games whenever possible.
The Rockets are 2-5 ATS as home favorites and 4-13 ATS against Eastern Conference teams. Despite the recent productivity that newcomer Kevin Porter Jr. has brought to H-Town, this is going to be tough sledding for Houston the rest of the way.
Betting Pick: Pistons (+2.5)
Chicago Bulls at Denver Nuggets (-7.5) – Total: 225.5
CHI: 3 games in 4 days, 4 games in 6 days
DEN: normal rest
The Bulls must really like hotel linens because their play away from The Windy City is truly something to marvel. At 12-4 ATS on the road (10-2 ATS as a road underdog,) Chicago backers can certainly find solace in that. If that wasn’t enough, the Bulls have been fantastic against Western Conference teams, going 14-7 ATS.
While the Nuggets will be a big part of the Western Conference playoff picture, they’re not unbeatable in this spot. This season, they only have a 6-8 ATS record as home favorites, indicating their tendency to be in competitive games. The number seems a bit too high for Denver here.
Betting Pick: Bulls (+7.5)
Minnesota Timberwolves at Phoenix Suns (-11) – Total: 231
MIN: back-end b2b (@PHX yesterday), 3 games in 4 days, 4 in 6, 5 in 7
PHX: back-end b2b (vs. MIN yesterday)
This will be the second time in as many days that the Suns and T-Wolves do battle. Last night’s narrow victory for Minnesota was certainly a surprise, and I wouldn’t expect that result to sit well with a veteran team like Phoenix. In fact, I would expect the Suns to have their best defensive performance of the season in tonight’s game.
Since the two teams played last night, particularly each other, there shouldn’t be a lot of surprises. The legs should be tired and the level of creativity may reach new lows. Not only is this a back-end B2B game for the Suns, but the T-Wolves are in the same situation AND find themselves on a string of five games in seven days. After winning last night, Minnesota will just mail it on Friday.
Betting Pick: Under 231 points
The Trail Blazers are playing their second game in as many nights, so we should feel confident in picking on them immediately. Not to mention, making our case even more concrete, is that they’re playing on a string of five games in the last seven days.
Dallas Mavericks (-3.5) at Portland Trail Blazers – Total: 234
DAL: normal rest
POR: back-end b2b (vs. NOR yesterday), 3 games in 4 days, 4 in 6, 5 in 7
Since Dallas is on normal rest, it’s hard to imagine Portland out-hustling its opponents tonight. After all, the Trail Blazers are playing their second game in as many nights and find themselves on a string of five games in seven days. Look for Luka Doncic to take advantage early and will his team to an easy victory.
I really can’t believe the Mavericks aren’t favored by more here. This is a team that knows how to take it to their tired opponents, as evidenced by their 6-2 ATS record when having the rest advantage.
Betting Pick: Mavericks (-3.5)
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