Top Five NBA Picks for Friday, October 22 nd 2021

The 2021-22 NBA season is off to a strong start. The big news as the league got started was the situation in Philadelphia with Ben Simmons. The Sixers held a team dinner and then pounded New Orleans.

Simmons did not play, but Joel Embiid scored 22 points to lead the team.

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On Friday, the league has a full slate of games featuring 20 of the 30 teams in action. Here are the top five NBA picks for Friday, October 22, 2021.

Phoenix Suns vs. Los Angeles Lakers

Suns vs. Lakers Picks

Best Bet: UNDER 226.5

The Suns and Lakers are two of the best defensive teams in the NBA. Last season, both teams were in the bottom half of the league in pace. These two things greatly affect point totals.

Speaking of which, when’s the last time a Suns-Lakers game had such a high total? You have to go back to before the coronavirus pandemic in February of 2020 to find a Suns-Lakers game with a total that high. The total in that game was 230.5 and it went Under.

The average point total of the last ten Suns-Lakers games is 209. Take the Under.

NBA Odds

New Orleans Pelicans vs. Chicago Bulls

Pelicans vs. Bulls Picks

Best Bet: BULLS -7

There’s a reason why Chicago is favored by seven. This is a different Bulls team than the past few years. Zach LaVine is an All-Star and proved it in the Bulls’ opener with 34 points in a rout of the Pistons.

For New Orleans, it’s more of the same. Zion Williamson is out, which means the Pelicans need to make up for about 25 points a game. That isn’t going to happen. Bulls win big and cover at home.

Brooklyn Nets vs. Philadelphia 76ers

Nets vs. 76ers Picks

Best Bet: NETS -1

The Nets got drilled by Milwaukee in their season opener and Brooklyn only scored 104 points. With a couple days off to prepare, look for the Nets to regroup.

The Sixers beat New Orleans on Wednesday night, but they are playing shorthanded. Ben Simmons, of course, is out and backup point guard Shake Milton is questionable.

The Nets won’t have Kyrie Irving, but they can go deeper than the Sixers bench. Back the Nets on the road.

NBA Predictions

New York Knicks vs. Orlando Magic

Knicks vs. Magic Picks

Best Bet: UNDER 213

The line on this game shifted from the Knicks -4.5 to -6.5 after New York beat Boston in their season opener. As is par for a Tom Thibodeau coached team, the Knicks will be one of the best defensive teams in the league again. Last season, the Knicks finished first in opponent points per game (104.7).

They will face an Orlando team on Friday night that will have difficulty filling up the net. The Magic lost its opener to San Antonio and managed just 97 points in the process. If you go back to last season, the Magic have scored 97 or fewer points in five of their last eight games. Defense and a bad offense. Take the Under.

Utah Jazz vs. Sacramento Kings

Jazz vs. Kings Picks

Best Bet: JAZZ -5.5

Utah won its opener with a dominant defensive performance holding the Thunder to just 86 points. Sacramento plays a little different style of basketball and will try and push the tempo.

Regardless, this is a matchup that the Jazz own. Utah is 7-1 SU in their last eight games at Sacramento and the Jazz is also 7-1 ATS in the last eight against the Kings overall. Back the Jazz laying the points.