Heads are still swirling across the NBA after a trade deadline that has given every new perspective on the value on second round picks. On Friday night, we get back to actual basketball with a huge slate of games, including two on national TV: Hornets vs. Celtics (7:30 p.m. ET) and Cavaliers vs. Pelicans (10 p.m. ET).
Of the 11 games on the schedule, our betting analysts are targeting three games and their picks features a pair of player props and a full game total. Read on for their expert picks and predictions for Friday.
NBA Odds & Picks
Phoenix Suns vs. Indiana Pacers
Joe Dellera: Tyrese Haliburton takes on the Phoenix Suns today who were just shredded by Trae Young last night. Now, Haliburton gets a crack at this defense that just traded away their best perimeter defender is Mikal Bridges and is relatively thin on the wing after their blockbuster trade for Kevin Durant.
Haliburton is one of the best point guards in the league, and he should be able to attack Phoenix in the pick and roll to rack up assists while also securing rebounds against Phoenix who may have slightly tired legs in the second game of a back-to-back.
Haliburton has exceeded his points and rebounds line of 12.5 in eight of his last ten games along with 68% of games on the season. I love the over here as 12.5 is a number he could clear on assists alone and he averages 14.1 RA on the season. Double Double at (+140) is also worth a look.
Utah Jazz vs. Toronto Raptors
Munaf Manji: The Toronto Raptors welcome the Utah Jazz to town tonight in a non-conference matchup.
The Jazz comes into this game with one of the worst 3-point defenses in the entire league. According to NBA Advanced Stats, over the past 10 games, the Jazz are allowing opponents to make close to 15 3-pointers game per game, which ranks 29th. Further, the Jazz are allowing their opponents to shoot 41% from beyond the arc, which ranks 28th in the same span.
Over his last four career games, VanVleet has knocked down at least four 3-pointers in three of those games. Despite being a bit of a shooting slump over the last five games, VanVleet is still averaging 8.8 attempts from beyond the arc.
I expect the looks to be there tonight for VanVleet and at plus odds, the value is certainly there with the success he’s had against the Jazz.
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Memphis Grizzlies
Matt Moore: Memphis' first-place halfcourt defense is incredible at home. In Grizzlies home games with a total north of 230, the under 9-4-1 this season. The Wolves are still probably without Mike Conley while the trade is cleared and he gets settled in.
Meanwhile they lose D'Angelo Russell's offense and don't have his defensive weakness. The Wolves' defense is six points better with Russell off the floor this season, the highest differential of any player with at least 200 minutes played for Minnesota.
Grizzlies likely win, but their offense has been struggling. Let's go under.
