This will be a shorter write up today– we’re prepping to have family over and you know how that is, busy busyyyyy– but it doesn’t mean this post contains any less research or expertise. After another winning night Thursday (3-2), we move on to Friday’s picks!
Wizards -8 (-110), 2 units and Westbrook over 54.5 P/R/A (-110), 2 units: The Wizards still aren’t guaranteed a spot in the play-in tournament to make the playoffs so today is hugely important for Washington. Their final game of the season is against the Hornets, a team that’s much more challenging than their foe in the Cavaliers tonight, so I expect Washington to take advantage and get a big win here. If they do get the W, the Bulls are officially knocked out of the postseason and the Cinderella-like Wizards are in. You can’t get better motivation than that. Expect a big game from the NBA’s leading triple-double master in Russel Westbrook, too, as he puts his team squarely on his shoulders with Bradley Beal still sitting out.
76ers -14 (-110), 2 units: The Sixers need one more win to secure their spot in 1st place in the Eastern Conference and after that embarrassing showing last night, this is as good a situation as any for Philadelphia to blow the doors off a team. It helps that they’re at home facing the Magic. Orlando has been getting outscored by an average of 11.3 points per game since the All-Star break and, not shockingly, they’re one of the worst ATS teams in the NBA, covering at a rate of only 47.1%. Now on a 5 game losing streak and playing with their C team, Orlando has been beaten by 23, 12, 32, 10, and 36 in their last 5 contests. With all the motivation they need and after that bad showing last night, I expect a huge Philadelphia win and cover Friday.
Pistons +8.5 (-110), 1 unit: I can’t say I feel great about this bet but there’s truly nothing for Denver to play for. I guess theoretically they could still pass the Clippers for 3rd place in the West, but LAC has an easy finish– Houston tonight and then OKC on Sunday. The Clippers won’t lose if they need to win and that means in all likelihood the Nuggets will sit comfortably in their 4th placed position to finish the year. Jokic was questionable all day yesterday and, right before tip-off, was announced as a starter and proceeded to dominate the Timberwolves. Appreciate that Jokic because it demolished a great parlay opportunity for yours truly. Regardless, I don’t think he’ll get as many minutes tonight– this line would be bigger if that were true– and the Pistons, for all their disappointments this season, are in the top half of ATS teams in the association. Feels like a cover game for the underdog.
