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After a relatively light (but not boring) Thursday night in the NBA, the bright lights come out for a heavy 10-game slate. Not only do we have a fully loaded schedule to cap the regular work week, but we also get Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors to close out the night. They’re at home against the Boston Celtics, in what should be one of the more exciting games of the night.
To see how that game and the rest of the slate will go, join us as we check out the odds and deliver our NBA picks for Friday night:
Nets @ Knicks
Line: Knicks -5.5 Total: 201
Brooklyn is inexplicably resting guys even though they’re not saving themselves for a playoff run, so they’re a tough team to gauge on a nightly basis. This one is at MSG, too, and the Knicks are pretty solid at home. As long as Kristaps Porzingis is back and Melo isn’t randomly rested, I like the Knicks to win the fourth battle of NYC and notch the season series up, 2-2.
Pick: Knicks 101, Nets 94
Magic @ Bucks
Line: Bucks -2 Total: 208
Orlando is kind of hot right now (three straight wins) and just got star center Nikola Vucevic back, so they’re suddenly a team to watch to finish strong. The same goes for the Bucks, who tend to rock it at the Bradley Center (22-15 at home). This game should be pretty tight, but Orlando is awful on the road and Milwaukee thrives at home.
Pick: Bucks 102, Magic 99
76ers @ Hornets
Line: Hornets -15 Total: 208
Philly is down most of their talent and the task of winning in Charlotte is too big tonight. Not only are the Hornets a blistering 27-11 on their home floor, but they’re also ablaze (7-3 in last 10 games) and are still fighting for the Southeast Division title.
Pick: Hornets 109, Sixers 90
Mavs @ Pistons
Line: Pistons -5.5 Total: 206
Dallas finally got a win last time out, but they’re on the road tonight and will be without Deron Williams and Chandler Parsons is of course done for the year. Dirk Nowitzki has looked bad lately, too, so Dallas should continue to slip here. Of course, not without a fight (they’ll beat the spread).
Pick: Pistons 103, Mavs 101
Cavs @ Hawks
Line: Hawks -2.5 Total: 206
Cleveland could keep resting guys tonight, as they hold a three-game lead over the Raptors for the top seed in the Eastern Conference. ATL is also playing for the Southeast Division crown and is pretty tough at home (24-13). They’re also one of the hottest teams in the league right now (8-2 in their last 10 contests) so if even one guy sits for Cleveland, the Hawks should win. Heck, they might, regardless.
Pick: Hawks 104, Cavs 101
Raptors @ Grizzlies
Line: Raptors -5.5 Total: 198
Memphis is as beaten down as teams get, as all they really have these days is a banged up Zach Randolph. They’ve lost four straight and 8 of their last 10 and look like they’ll limp into the playoffs on life support. Toronto is still playing for the #1 seed in the Eastern Conference, so they’ll go hard and take advantage tonight.
Pick: Raptors 106, Grizz 98
Timberwolves @ Jazz
Line: Jazz -8.5 Total: 193
Utah has stayed hot in their pursuit for a playoff spot, going 7-3 in their last 10 games and tonight they get a suspect Minnesota team at home. The Wolves can pour on the offense at times, but the Jazz are 23-14 on their home floor and already have a 2-1 season series edge. Utah should get back to .500 at home tonight.
Pick: Jazz 97, Wolves 90
Heat @ Kings
Line: Heat -8 Total: 213
DeMarcus Cousins will miss tonight’s action due to a suspension, so the Kings look to be in a bad way against a good Miami team. Like the Hornets and Hawks, Miami can ill afford to lose tonight as they continue to fight for the top spot in the Southeast Division. They’ll also want to get the taste of a loss to the Lakers out of their mouths.
Pick: Heat 104, Kings 96
Celtics @ Warriors
Line: Warriors -12 Total: 222
Golden State is still chasing the NBA record for wins in a season, and they also enter tonight with zero losses at the Oracle Arena on the year. Boston is certainly a threat to be the first team to take them down, but it’s unlikely to happen. The Celtics played last night and could be a little tired. I expect a good game and Boston to beat the spread, but the Dubs win again.
Pick: Warriors 108, Celtics 104
Wizards @ Suns
Line: Wizards -8 Total: 214
Here’s another up-tempo game that could be a ton of fun, assuming the Suns show up. Washington still needs wins to get into the playoffs and they should get one tonight, as Phoenix is sliding again with four straight losses. Markieff Morris returns home for some revenge, too, so the Wiz could rally behind him in a big win.
Pick: Wiz 107, Suns 97
