NBA Best Bets: Can Grizzlies Claw Their Way to a Cover?

The Magic are on a four-game losing streak, but can they turn things around on Friday night against the lowly Grizzlies?

Coming off back-to-back rough nights, it’s important to remember to be disciplined with your bankroll so we can soften the blow of tough losses. There are 11-games on the NBA slate on Friday night, with two making the cut for best bets. Remember we can't bet the whole slate, that would be undisciplined. I also have a few more leans on player props bets. Finally, everyone has an opinion on LSU vs Alabama in college football, so I will share mine also.

Memphis Grizzlies vs. Orlando Magic: Grizzlies +7.5

This game opened up with the home team Orlando Magic as 6.5-point favorites. The public has since bet it up to Magic -7.5. The Grizzlies are one of the softer teams in the league to start the season. They are 2-5 straight up as well as 2-5 against the spread. I like the Grizzlies tonight mainly because the Magic, who are currently on a four-game losing streak, have struggled tremendously on offense this season. Orlando has only scored over 100 points once this season, and average 95 points per contest. Amazingly, that number goes down to 91 points a game when they play at home. The Grizzlies aren't good, but they can score—they average 110 points per game. In this series, the underdog is 5-1 against the spread over the last six meetings. Look for Memphis to make that 6-1 tonight.

Sacramento Kings vs. Atlanta Hawks: Hawks +2.5

The Hawks return to action tonight after an embarrassing home loss to the Bulls earlier this week. The Kings have played better as of late, beating the Knicks in Madison Square Garden and losing a tough one on the road to the Raptors. The Hawks are 1-4 in their last five games, but Trae Young was out with an injured ankle for two of those contests. Atlanta opened as a 1-point home favorite, before the public noticed that Sacramento is playing better and Atlanta is coming off that nasty loss. That pushed the number to where the Kings are now a 2-point favorite. This line movement created one of my favorite spots to bet in the NBA: taking the side opposite of a short road favorite.

The Kings have successfully laid the number once this season, beating up on the lowly Knicks. The other times they have been asked to lay points, they have lost outright. I'm taking the Hawks in this spot and I'm dripping on the moneyline. A couple of interesting tidbits: Atlanta has still not played in a game that has gone over the total, it is 0-7 O/U. Also, the home team is 9-2 against the spread in this series since 2013.

Season Record: 11-10

Player Prop Bet Leans

Kevin Love, Cleveland Cavaliers - Over 19.5 points

Eric Paschall, Golden State Warriors - Under 16.5 points

Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers - Over 7.5 assists

College Football Lean

LSU Tigers vs. Alabama Crimson Tide: Alabama -6

I like LSU and Joe Burrow a lot, I’ve been watching and betting on them all season. I just can't bet against Nick Saban in this spot.