Marquee Matchups Lacking
We have a packed Friday night for the NBA, though it’s a schedule that only the bettors or hardcore fans can love. It will be mainly the also-rans in action, though the later evening features some Western Conference contenders. On the NBA betting lines, at least there are no double-digit favorites.
Houston Rockets vs Orlando Magic
Draft Lottery “contenders” square off as the Houston Rockets visit the Orlando Magic as underdogs. These teams have two of the three worst records in the league thanks to their nonexistent defenses. This also explains why the total is the highest on Friday. Orlando has five wins at home, the fewest in the NBA.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs Indiana Pacers
We have more tanking teams here as the Indiana Pacers host the Oklahoma City Thunder as the biggest favorites on Friday. Both teams are ravaged by injuries, though the Pacers may be getting Malcolm Brogdon and Giga Bitadze back. Indiana is 8-8-1 against the spread (ATS) as a favorite at home.
Toronto Raptors vs Charlotte Hornets
The Toronto Raptors are favored to sweep the Charlotte Hornets in their third and final game of the season. Toronto is 2-0 ATS in both games and is 6-1 ATS in their last seven road games. Charlotte has lost seven straight games at home and is just 7-11 in conference games. Bet online against them.
San Antonio Spurs vs Washington Wizards
The San Antonio Spurs visit the Washington Wizards as favorites, which is rare in their case. Scope the over on the total as it has cashed in nine of the last 12 games between these teams. This includes the last five games in Washington.
Miami Heat vs New York Knicks
The Miami Heat are visiting the New York Knicks, but it may get cold per the online sports betting total, which is the lowest on the schedule. The total has gone under in five of Miami’s last seven games but it has been the other way for the Knicks: Four of their last five have gone over. These teams play two of the three slowest paces in the NBA, however.
Philadelphia 76ers vs Minnesota Timberwolves
James Harden makes his hotly anticipated debut with the Philadelphia 76ers as they host the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Sixers will be favorites, but they do not cover well at home with an 8-13 ATS record. On the flip side, the Timberwolves are 6-5 ATS as a road underdog.
Doc Rivers says the plan is for at least two of James Harden, Joel Embiid, Tobias Harris and Tyrese Maxey to be out on the court at all times, to ensure Philadelphia has consistent offensive threats out there at all times.
— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) February 24, 2022
Dallas Mavericks vs Utah Jazz
The Utah Jazz will look to shut down the Dallas Mavericks in Salt Lake City, as they usually do. Utah is 10-1 against Dallas the last 11 times they hosted the Mavs. The Jazz are also 6-0 against the Southwest Division at home. Dallas is 6-1 ATS as a road team against the Northwest Division and this includes their last game in Utah.
New Orleans Pelicans vs Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns have had a tough time covering as home favorites, winning just 48.4 percent (15-16) of their spreads at the Footprint Center. But the New Orleans Pelicans have been bad on the road as well. They are 10-19 straight-up and just 13-16 ATS. They are 1-4 ATS since acquiring CJ McCollum.
Los Angeles Clippers vs Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles teams have fallen far behind in the Western Conference race and that is thanks to their myriad injuries. This game is more for a spot in the playoffs and the Lakers are shaky favorites. LeBron James’s crew has not covered in its last nine games hosting the Clippers.
