NBA Best Bets: Do You Believe in Magic?

The Spurs have struggled away from home this season, and now have a road contest in Orlando. How should you bet on this game?

The NBA has an eight-game slate for us to get after on Friday night. Ja Morant and Donovan Mitchell square off in a nationally televised game, Memphis is 9-3 against the spread in its last 12 versus Utah. Philadelphia looks to snap a losing streak as a short road favorite in Oklahoma City. The Spurs are also looking to snap a losing streak in Orlando. The hottest teams in the league also meet up tonight in Houston, when the Rockets play the Pacers—that's right the Pacers. I have three best bets and one player prop bet for the slate.

Detroit Pistons at Charlotte Hornets: Over 220.5 Points

This game total opened up at 219 and has since to bet up to 220.5. The last five games of this series have gone under the total, but sharps and squares are both in agreement that the over is the play tonight. The Pistons have gone over the number in each of their last four games, and having Blake Griffin back in the lineup has improved their scoring. Detroit is 5-1 O/U on the road this season. The Hornets have a tough time stopping opponents from scoring, as they are giving up 118 points per game on their home court. As far as a side goes, there is nothing to see here. The Pistons have lost four of their last five games, and the Hornets are on a four-game losing streak.

San Antonio Spurs at Orlando Magic: Magic -3.5

The Spurs have a single victory in their last five games. They have not been able to get it going as of late. To make matters worse for them, they are horrible on the road, going 1-3 away from San Antonio, and they are terrible against the spread with a 2-9 record on the year. All of the Magic’s victories this season have come on their home court. They are 4-3 at home to start the year. Orlando has been successful in laying points at home with ATS victories over the Sixers and Grizzlies in the past week. I will lay the 3.5 points at home versus the disappointing Spurs.

Indiana Pacers at Houston Rockets: Pacers +5.5

The Rockets and Pacers are two of the hottest teams in the NBA. The Rockets have won five games in a row, while the Pacers have won seven of their last eight. This game opened up with the Rockets as a 5-point favorite. The public sees Houston at home, laying a short number, and immediately jumped behind the Rockets and moved the number up to Rockets -5.5. The Rockets are playing well but they are not the healthiest team. Clint Capela will be out tonight with a concussion and Russell Westbrook may take a load management day. I'm on the sharp side on this one, as the Pacers are playing well. This line may move in the Pacers’ favor as the day goes on, try to get closing line value on this game.

Season Record: 15-22

Player Prop Bet Play

Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies Points Over 15.5