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A full slate of games are on tap on a Friday night in the NBA. Utah and Golden State sit atop the Western Conference with just one loss and the Philadelphia 76ers, despite their drama, lead the East with a 7-2 record.
With 18 teams in action tonight, where is the betting value at? Here’s a look at the top five NBA picks for Friday, November 5, 2021.
San Antonio Spurs vs. Orlando Magic
Best Bet: SPURS -3.5
The Magic are 2-7 for a reason. They are 27th in the NBA in scoring putting up just 101.1 points per game. That’s due to their shooting woes as a team. The Magic shoot a collective 42.2 percent from the floor. That’s 26th in the league.
The Magic are also 0-3 ATS at home so far. The Spurs are 5-3 ATS and 3-1 ATS on the road. Plus, they have the coaching advantage here. Back the Spurs -3.5.
New York Knicks vs. Milwaukee Bucks
Best Bet: KNICKS +4.5
The Bucks are trying to navigate playing without point guard Jrue Holiday. It’s been tough and that’s why the defending NBA champs are just 4-4 so far this season. Now, Khris Middleton has tested positive for COVID.
The Knicks are off to a strong start with an injection of offense, specifically three-point shooting. New York is second in the league in three-point shooting percentage (39.3%). That has helped the Knicks to a 5-3 start this season.
The Bucks are just 1-3 ATS at home this season and, as good as Giannis Antetokounmpo is, the Knicks will be able to hang with a depleted Milwaukee lineup.
LA Clippers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
Clippers vs. Timberwolves Picks
Best Bet: OVER 214.5
Minnesota’s defense has been lax in its last two games, one of which was against these same Clippers just two nights ago. The Magic put up 115 on the T-Wolves before LA exploded for 126 on Wednesday night.
The last ten times these two teams have played they have averaged 236 points. The Over hit in six of those games. Go back 14 games in the series and the Over has cashed in 10 of them. The Over is 8-0 in the series in the last eight games played in Minnesota. Take the Over.
New Orleans Pelicans vs. Golden State Warriors
Best Bet: UNDER 218
The Pelicans have exactly one win in nine games this season. The Warriors are 6-1 and are at the top of the heap in the Western Conference along with Utah. Stephen Curry averages 26.7 points a game and the Warriors are playing outstanding defense.
The Pelicans continue to be without Zion Williamson and now leading scorer Brandon Ingram is questionable for tonight’s game. With or without Ingram, the value here is on the total.
The Under is 5-2 in the Pelicans last seven games and 6-for-6 in the Warriors last six. Back the Under.
Charlotte Hornets vs. Sacramento Kings
Best Bet: KINGS -1.5
Charlotte was one of the hottest teams in the league at the very start of the season. Now, they have lost two straight and are dealing with some injuries. PJ Washington (elbow) and LaMelo Ball (hip) are listed as day-to-day on the injury report, which is one of the reasons why Sacramento is a 1.5-point favorite here.
The Kings are 5-3 ATS this season and 4-1 ATS in their last five games. This will be the second game of a five-game road trip for the Hornets. It’s going to start to wear on Charlotte, which is only 2-4 ATS in its last six games.
