The NBA regular season continues with a solid 9-game slate today — Friday, April 3.
Our staff of betting experts dug into the latest NBA odds and identified best bets for six of Friday's matchups — including picks for Timberwolves vs. 76ers, Bulls vs. Knicks and more.
Continue below for our NBA best bets, picks, predictions, and odds for this Friday.
NBA Best Bets for Friday, April 3
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76ers vs. Timberwolves Prop Bet
By Jim Turvey
Paul George Over 19.5 Points
Paul George has been excellent since his return from suspension. The 16-year vet is averaging 28 points per game on over 20 field-goal attempts per game.
Joel Embiid will be sidelined for the 76ers tonight — and this should be a close game with plenty of minutes for George.
He's cleared this in all four games since returning, and this is the best situation for him of the bunch, with his minutes back up to normal, no Embiid, and a tough opponent with a lower chance of blowout.
Pick: Paul George Over 19.5 Points (-105)
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Bulls vs. Knicks Player Prop Pick
By Joe Dellera
Karl-Anthony Towns Over 20.5 Points
The Knicks face off against the Bulls tonight in a game where New York is a massive favorite.
While Jalen Brunson will return for the Knicks in this game, I want to stick with Karl-Anthony Towns, who has settled into a bit of a groove lately.
This matchup against Chicago is one that KAT has absolutely dominated in the past. He has scored 20+ points in seven straight games against the Bulls, and they have been an absolutely sieve to opposing centers.
The Bulls have allowed 11 of the last 12 centers they faced to exceed their points prop. They play at the third-fastest pace in the league and surrender the fourth-most points in the paint. This is a spot where KAT should crush.
Pick: Karl-Anthony Towns Over 20.5 Points (-115)
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Celtics vs. Bucks Total Prediction
By Matt Moore
Over 217.5
I like the Bucks to cover the spread in this game — so predictably, I also think they will score more than expected. I have them projected for 107 points, considerably more than their team total, and I project Boston slightly over as well.
Boston’s defense is very good, but Milwaukee is an excellent shooting team. We have seen this line move a point toward the over since open, and it seems like a good hedge against the possibility of the Celtics hanging a huge number on a bad defense.
I am a bit concerned that the under has been good when the Bucks have faced good eFG% defenses (the under is 15-10 against top 10 eFG% defenses) and when Boston has faced top-10 eFG% offenses (the under is 17-8) — but, I just think this line is too low.
Pick: Over 217.5 (-105)
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Jazz vs. Rockets ATS Best Bet
By Matt Moore
Jazz +17.5
Utah has actually been hanging around in games lately. The Jazz are surprisingly decent ATS despite their tanking exploits, and they are 6-3 ATS when more than 15-point underdogs this season.
Houston has been good as a huge favorite, with a record of 3-1 when favored by more than 15 points this season — but the Rockets are also 17-29 ATS after a win and 6-10 after a win where they failed to cover (Tuesday vs. Bucks).
If you want to play it safe, you can take the first half spread and avoid what will be some shenanigans by the Jazz in the fourth quarter — but only if the outcome of the game is in question.
The Rockets are feeling better about themselves after some wins, which means this is the perfect time to fade them as huge favorites.
Pick: Jazz +17.5 (-110)
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Magic vs. Mavericks Spread Pick
By Matt Moore
Mavericks +6.5
We aren’t seriously giving the Magic this kind of credit, right? Orlando is 34-42 ATS this season, and 6-9 ATS as a road favorite.
The Mavericks are playing their guys for the most part and have continued to hang around in games. They are 14-12 ATS as home 'dogs this season, and 6-4 against Eastern Conference teams in that spot.
Dallas has enough athletes and shooters to give the Magic trouble, and Orlando is still trying to get itself acclimated to having Franz Wagner back.
You don’t want to back the tanking teams this season, but Dallas is the exception. I'll take the Mavericks to cover the spread here and might also sprinkle the moneyline.
Pick: Mavericks +6.5 (-110)
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Pelicans vs. Kings Prop Bet
Precious Achiuwa Over 14.5 Points
Action PRO is projecting 15.5 points for Precious Achiuwa in the Kings' matchup against the Pelicans tonight, showing a solid 7.9% edge against his current prop line of over/under 14.5, which is strong enough to earn the Over a B- grade in our database.
Achiuwa has scored 16+ points in three straight games — and zooming out a little bit further, he has scored 14+ points in seven of his last nine games, while hitting 20+ points in three of those contests; and getting all the way up to 25+ points in two of them.
This should be a good spot for him to keep the momentum going in a matchup against a Pelicans squad that ranks top-12 in pace and 25th in both defensive rating and points allowed per game.
Pick: Precious Achiuwa Over 14.5 Points (-112)
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