The NBA features a monster slate on Friday stocked with stars. Our Buckets crew broke down the slate and gave their best bets.
On our daily NBA betting podcast "Buckets," we've got picks on Cavaliers-Warriors in a premier showdown, the Heat and Nuggets renew pleasantries in a rematch of the 2023 Finals, and the Hornets and Pacers also play, which Bryan Fonseca wants to bet for some reason.
Let's get to our NBA predictions and NBA picks today from the "Buckets" podcast crew.
NBA Friday Picks & Predictions
Warriors at Cavaliers
| Warriors Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+4.5 -114 | 230 -110o / -110u | +152 |
| Cavaliers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-4.5 -106 | 230 -110o / -110u | -180 |
"This opened at four, moved to four and a half… Warriors off a monster win in Boston, but the Cavs are better than the Celtics right now. I don’t think the market has caught up to Cleveland, and I think all the public sentiment is with 'Warriors back!' This spot is bad for Golden State after a big emotional win… Throw in that Atkinson spent multiple seasons as an assistant with the Warriors. I think Cleveland is the best team in the East, at least now."
Pick: Cavaliers -4 (-114, FanDuel)
Heat at Nuggets
| Heat Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Over/Under | Moneyline |
+3.5 -110 | 222.5 -110 / -110 | +130 |
| Nuggets Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Over/Under | Moneyline |
-3.5 -110 | 222.5 -110 / -110 | -155 |
By Jay Money
"We have to follow the patterns, man. The Heat have come out… they’ve been playing really well in the first half. It’s that third quarter… which they might obviously this game is in altitude, so I wouldn’t be surprised if they melted in the second half again. The Heat are the sixth best… first half margin in the NBA at plus 6.4, and the Nuggets are minus five. Miami is four and one against the spread in the first half on the road."
"Miami is 6-1 in the first half this season and Denver is third-worst at 1-7. Denver used to crush teams early with their starting lineup, but with Christian Braun now in the starters, that bench rotation struggles. They’re going from being up with Jokic to down when he’s out… so, I actually think Heat first half, Nuggets full game is a solid look here."
Pick: Heat 1H
Hornets at Pacers
| Pacers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-6.5 -112 | 234.5 -110o / -110u | -250 |
| Hornets Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+6.5 -108 | 234.5 -110o / -110u | +205 |
"Indiana is like just on fire offensively in terms of pace and in terms of how many points they put up. Tyrese Halliburton hasn’t fully come around yet. I think this is a decent spot for him… and we should get points in a favorable matchup. Charlotte's previous unders make sense when you look at their competition game by game… but this should be a fast, up-and-down game.
The Pacers have the highest field goal percentage (50.8 percent) in the league while putting up the second most attempts per game (93.0). Defensively, they rank just 14th in field goal attempts per 100 possessions and allow the second most field goals per free throw attempt."
Pick: Over 233.5
