It’s Friday night in the NBA and that means another slate of games for bettors to find value. It’s been an interesting start to the new season with plenty of surprises. The Lakers and Suns have three wins combined and Charlotte, Chicago, and Washington are all tied with the Knicks at 4-1 atop the Eastern Conference.
How will tonight’s games affect the current standings? Here’s a look at the top five NBA picks for Friday, October 29th 2021.
Indiana Pacers vs. Brooklyn Nets
Best Bet: NETS -9.5
How about this for a surprise? The Brooklyn Nets are averaging 102 points per game. Yes, Kyrie Irving is out of the lineup, but still the Nets have gone under 100 points twice already in five games.
The Nets are a 9.5-point favorite. It seems like a big number, but the last three times these teams have played Brooklyn has won by an average of 12 points. The Pacers are 1-4 ATS this season and the Nets are due to go off on offense. Take the Nets laying the 9.5.
Charlotte Hornets vs. Miami Heat
Best Bet: HORNETS +6.5
Who would have thought a Hornets-Heat game would feature two one-loss teams? The bigger surprise is that the Hornets lead the NBA in scoring averaging 121.2 points per game. Charlotte has scored at least 120 points in four of its five games.
If there is a defense that can tame the Hornets, it’s Miami’s. The Heat have allowed more than 95 points in regulation just once this season. Teams fire up a lot of three-pointers on the Heat and Miami has answered with a 28.6 percent opponent shooting percentage from behind the arc.
The problem is that the Hornets shoot 41.3 percent from three-point range. That will help Charlotte keep it close. Take the Hornets +6.5.
Dallas Mavericks vs. Denver Nuggets
Best Bet: Under 219.5
Both Dallas and Denver rank near the bottom of the league in offensive efficiency. Dallas is 22 nd and Denver 24th in that category. Neither team plays at that fast of a pace either. In terms of possessions per game, Denver ranks 24th in the NBA and Dallas is 28th.
The two teams have played eight games combined and seven of them have gone Under the posted game total. Dallas has topped 104 points just once this season and Denver has hit 110 twice and scored 87 and 102 in its other two games.
Each team averages just over 102 points per game and eight of the last 12 games in the series have gone Under.
LA Clippers vs. Portland Trail Blazers
Clippers vs. Trail Blazers Picks
Best Bet: OVER 222
These two teams just played on Monday night. It is the Clippers lone victory this season so far. Neither team has been all that impressive on the offensive end. In fact, the Clippers are coming off a 92-79 loss to Cleveland. Portland star Damian Lillard has not been shooting well and has yet to find his groove.
When the two teams played on Monday, the final of 116-86 went Under the total of 230. Tonight’s total is much lower at 222. Portland is ninth is offensive efficiency and ranks fifth in possessions per game. The Blazers are going to push the pace and push this total Over.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. LA Lakers
Best Bet: CAVALIERS +7.5
One of the more pleasant surprises of the early NBA season is Cleveland. The Cavs have won three straight and they beat Atlanta, Denver, and the LA Clippers. Tonight, they will take on the LeBron James and the Lakers as 7.5-point underdogs.
The Cavs have been doing it with defense. They held the Hawks, Nuggets, and Clippers to 101, 99, and 92 points, respectively. Cleveland ranks seventh in points allowed per game and ninth in defensive efficiency. They will have their hands full with James and Anthony Davis, but they will battle and keep this one close.