Friday's NBA slate is loaded with 14 games and tons of action across the board. The BUCKETS podcast broke it all down on the latest episode and gave out four of their favorite picks.
Listen to today's episode of the BUCKETS podcast and read below their picks on games including Timberwolves vs. Rockets, Heat vs. Suns and more.
Best NBA Bets Tonight | Expert Picks, Predictions for Friday
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 8 p.m. | Rockets +3.5 & Moneyline |
  | 8:30 p.m. | Trail Blazers +10.5 |
  | 9 p.m. | Heat +4 |
  | 10 p.m. | Lakers -4 |
Rockets +3.5 & Moneyline vs. Timberwolves
8 p.m. ET ⋅ NBA League Pass
By Matt Moore
This is my favorite play of the night. I have the Rockets projected as a favorite based on how good they have been at home.
Then I asked myself if Houston contends well against good defensive teams. The Rockets are 6-5 straight up against top-1o defenses but they are +3.5 in spread differential, according to Cleaning the Glass. The Rockets have an offensive rebounding advantage and shoot more threes than the Wolves, which trends toward them.
The Wolves have been open that they are not playing that well right now, so with two good defensive teams, I will take the Rockets at home.
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Trail Blazers +10.5 at Mavericks
8:30 p.m. ET ⋅ NBA League Pass
By Matt Moore
If the Mavericks are full-strength, I think this is a play on the Mavs, but this number should be different with Derek Lively out. The numbers have been stark with him on and off the court this season. Without Lively, they are 1-5 straight up and against the spread.
The Blazers are being undervalued and at 1-5 without Lively, I just think this is too many points.
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Heat +4 at Suns
9 p.m. ET ⋅ NBA League Pass
By Matt Moore
The Heat will once again be without Jimmy Butler and the Suns have been a red-hot team of late and are playing at home. The Heat have held their own without him, as they are 6-4 straight up and against the spread this season.
I still have this projected as the Heat winning. This is a spot where I am trying to get in front of the Suns, but I am only going to bet a half-unit.
The Heat average fewer turnovers than the Suns and this has been a trend to follow this season. Teams that face bottom-five teams in turnovers are 37-23 against the spread, not to mention Kevin Durant is still questionable.
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Lakers -4 vs. Grizzlies
10 p.m. ET ⋅ NBA League Pass
By Matt Moore
This is a great spot for the Lakers. This is a model play and there is one very big factor: the Lakers hate the Grizzlies.
There is a disconnect in the locker room between Darvin Ham and the players, yet the line is still -4. I have them as significant favorites at home and are playing a bad team. The Grizzlies got a bump with Ja Morant returning to the lineup, but have reverted to the team they were without him this season.
This number makes no sense to me, and I will disregard the chatter on social media and ride with the Lakers.
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