As the NBA season marches on, Friday night presents a basketball extravaganza with 12 exciting games on the schedule. However, the game I am most interested in is between the Dallas Mavericks and Sacramento Kings. If Dallas wins, it will be two games ahead of Sacramento in the Western Conference playoff race. A win would also put the Mavericks in serious contention for the No. 5 or No. 4 seed in the West. Bettors would be wise to pay attention to one prop bet from this game, which leads me to my first recommendation.
De'Aaron Fox over 24.5 points.
The Kings-Mavericks game has the second-highest total on the slate (231.5 at ESPN BET). Fox has scored over 24.5 points only six times in his past 20 games. While he has had success against the Mavericks, he had only 18 points against them on Tuesday. However, tonight is a must-win game for Sacramento with playoff positioning in the Western Conference on the line. I believe Fox will deliver. He has averaged 25.1 points and 20.2 field goal attempts at home this season.
LeBron James over 8.5 assists.
James has surpassed this line in eight of his past 10 games, averaging an astounding 15.2 potential assists per game. He finished with 10 assists against the Pacers back on March 24 and should be fired up to produce with the Lakers on a five-game win streak. This game claims the highest total on Friday night's slate (243.5 at ESPN BET) as both the Lakers and Pacers rank in the top five in pace.
Ivica Zubac over 18.5 points, rebounds and assists.
While the Clippers-Magic game has a total of only 210.5 points at ESPN BET, Zubac's points, rebounds and assists prop is too low, even against a solid Magic defense. He has cleared this line in 13 of his past 20 games and in 72% of his games this season. Even though the Magic rank second in points allowed per 100 possessions, I'm still backing Zubac Friday night.
Cade Cunningham over 37.5 points, rebounds and assists.
Both the Pistons and Wizards rank near the bottom of the league in points allowed per 100 possessions. Cunningham has eclipsed this line in only six of his past 20 games but has averaged 34.4 points, rebounds and assists over that span with a 31.0% usage rate. He shouldn't have any issues stockpiling stats against a Wizards team that ranks 24th in points allowed, 29th in rebounds allowed and 29th in assists allowed per game to point guards.
Kevin Durant over 23.5 points.
Durant returns to Oklahoma City to face a Thunder team led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. I have a feeling that Durant will want to remind the crowd of what he's capable of. So, I'm buying into the revenge game narrative as Durant has averaged 31.1 points per game against the Thunder over his career and surpassed 23.5 points in three consecutive games.
Miles McBride over 22.5 points, rebounds, and assists.
McBride has cleared 22.5 points, rebounds and assists in three of his past five games, averaging 44.3 minutes per game over that span. The Knicks are 9.5-point favorites, so the potential is there for McBride to have an expanded role Friday night. He has a favorable matchup against a Spurs team that ranks near the bottom of the league in points, rebounds and assists allowed per game.
Projections and injury reports
Odds provided by ESPN BET. Basketball Power Index by ESPN Analytics. Injury aggregation by Rotowire.com.
Golden State Warriors at Charlotte Hornets
7 p.m. Spectrum Center, Charlotte, NC
Records (Against the Spread)
Warriors: 38-34 (38-32-2)
Hornets: 18-54 (28-44-0)
Line: Warriors (-12.5) Total: 220.5
Money Line: Warriors (-900), Hornets (+550)
BPI Projection: Warriors by 13.5, straight up 88%, 233.2 total points.
Injury Report:
Warriors: Dario Saric, (GTD - Knee); Jonathan Kuminga, (GTD - Knee)
Hornets: Davis Bertans, (GTD - Nose); Cody Martin, (OUT - Ankle); LaMelo Ball, (OUT - Ankle); Mark Williams, (OUT - Back); Seth Curry, (OUT - Ankle)
Los Angeles Lakers at Indiana Pacers
7 p.m. Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis
Records (Against the Spread)
Lakers: 41-32 (34-39-0)
Pacers: 41-33 (39-33-2)
Line: Pacers (-4.5) Total: 243.5
Money Line: Lakers (+150), Pacers (-175)
BPI Projection: Pacers by 4.3, straight up 64%, 246.9 total points.
Injury Report:
Lakers: Anthony Davis, (GTD - Knee); LeBron James, (GTD - Ankle); Gabe Vincent, (OUT - Knee); Jarred Vanderbilt, (OUT - Foot); Christian Wood, (OUT - Knee); Jalen Hood-Schifino, (OUT - Back)
Pacers: Isaiah Wong, (GTD - Ankle); Bennedict Mathurin, (OUT - Shoulder)
LA Clippers at Orlando Magic
7 p.m. Amway Center, Orlando
Records (Against the Spread)
Clippers: 45-27 (34-38-0)
Magic: 42-30 (46-26-0)
Line: Clippers (-1.5) Total: 212.5
Money Line: Clippers (-120), Magic (+100)
BPI Projection: Clippers by 0.7, straight up 53%, 230.4 total points.
Injury Report:
Clippers: Jordan Miller, (GTD - Thumb); Moussa Diabate, (OUT - Hand)
Magic: None reported
Detroit Pistons at Washington Wizards
7 p.m. Capital One Arena, Washington, D.C.
Records (Against the Spread)
Pistons: 12-61 (36-36-1)
Wizards: 14-59 (33-39-1)
Line: Wizards (-3.5) Total: 227.5
Money Line: Pistons (+135), Wizards (-155)
BPI Projection: Wizards by 3, straight up 61%, 227.4 total points.
Injury Report:
Pistons: Cade Cunningham, (GTD - Knee); Jaden Ivey, (GTD - Knee); Quentin Grimes, (OUT - Knee); Simone Fontecchio, (OUT - Toe); Taj Gibson, (OUT - Hamstring); Ausar Thompson, (OUT - Illness); Isaiah Stewart, (OUT - Hamstring); Stanley Umude, (OUT - Ankle)
Wizards: Eugene Omoruyi, (OUT - Ankle); Landry Shamet, (OUT - Calf); Richaun Holmes, (OUT - Toe); Tyus Jones, (OUT - Back); Bilal Coulibaly, (OUT - Wrist); Isaiah Livers, (OUT - Hip)
Chicago Bulls at Brooklyn Nets
7:30 p.m. Barclays Center, New York
Records (Against the Spread)
Bulls: 35-38 (36-36-1)
Nets: 28-45 (31-39-3)
Line: Bulls (-3.5) Total: 215.5
Money Line: Bulls (-145), Nets (+125)
BPI Projection: Bulls by 1.8, straight up 56%, 225.4 total points.
Injury Report:
Bulls: Alex Caruso, (GTD - Ankle); Ayo Dosunmu, (GTD - Illness); Julian Phillips, (OUT - Foot); Lonzo Ball, (OUT - Knee); Patrick Williams, (OUT - Foot); Zach LaVine, (OUT - Foot)
Nets: Dennis Smith Jr., (GTD - Hip); Noah Clowney, (GTD - Back); Cameron Johnson, (OUT - Toe); Ben Simmons, (OUT - Back); Dariq Whitehead, (OUT - Lower Leg); Keita Bates-Diop, (OUT - Lower Leg)
Philadelphia 76ers at Cleveland Cavaliers
7:30 p.m. Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, Cleveland
Records (Against the Spread)
76ers: 39-34 (39-34-0)
Cavaliers: 44-29 (34-38-1)
Line: Cavaliers (-8.5) Total: 211.5
Money Line: 76ers (+270), Cavaliers (-340)
BPI Projection: Cavaliers by 6.9, straight up 75%, 215.4 total points.
Injury Report:
76ers: Robert Covington, (OUT - Knee); Joel Embiid, (OUT - Knee); De'Anthony Melton, (OUT - Back)
Cavaliers: Darius Garland, (GTD - Ankle); Donovan Mitchell, (GTD - Nose); Dean Wade, (OUT - Knee); Ty Jerome, (OUT - Ankle)
Portland Trail Blazers at Miami Heat
8 p.m. Kaseya Center, Miami
Records (Against the Spread)
Blazers: 19-54 (35-38-0)
Heat: 39-33 (34-37-1)
Line: Heat (-13.5) Total: 209.5
Money Line: Blazers (+700), Heat (-1200)
BPI Projection: Heat by 11.9, straight up 87%, 215.3 total points.
Injury Report:
Blazers: Deandre Ayton, (GTD - Elbow); Jerami Grant, (GTD - Hamstring); Matisse Thybulle, (GTD - Ankle); Anfernee Simons, (OUT - Knee); Malcolm Brogdon, (OUT - Elbow); Toumani Camara, (OUT - Ribs); Shaedon Sharpe, (OUT - Abdomen); Robert Williams III, (OUT - Knee)
Heat: Caleb Martin, (GTD - Ankle); Jaime Jaquez Jr., (GTD - Ankle); Jimmy Butler, (GTD - Illness); Kevin Love, (GTD - Heel); Duncan Robinson, (OUT - Back); Tyler Herro, (OUT - Foot); Josh Richardson, (OUT - Shoulder)
Phoenix Suns at Oklahoma City Thunder
8 p.m. Paycom Center, Oklahoma City
Records (Against the Spread)
Suns: 43-30 (32-40-1)
Thunder: 50-22 (41-30-1)
Line: Suns (-1.5) Total: 227.5
Money Line: Suns (-125), Thunder (+105)
BPI Projection: Thunder by 3.2, straight up 61%, 238.0 total points.
Injury Report:
Suns: Jusuf Nurkic, (GTD - Ankle); Damion Lee, (OUT - Knee)
Thunder: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, (GTD - Quadriceps)
New York Knicks at San Antonio Spurs
8 p.m. Frost Bank Center, San Antonio
Records (Against the Spread)
Knicks: 44-28 (39-32-1)
Spurs: 17-56 (36-36-1)
Line: Knicks (-9.5) Total: 213.5
Money Line: Knicks (-425), Spurs (+320)
BPI Projection: Knicks by 8.4, straight up 77%, 230.1 total points.
Injury Report:
Knicks: Alec Burks, (GTD - Shoulder); Duane Washington Jr., (GTD - Knee); OG Anunoby, (OUT - Elbow); Julius Randle, (OUT - Shoulder)
Spurs: Keldon Johnson, (GTD - Knee); Charles Bassey, (OUT - Knee)
Minnesota Timberwolves at Denver Nuggets
9 p.m. Ball Arena, Denver
Records (Against the Spread)
Timberwolves: 50-22 (37-32-3)
Nuggets: 51-22 (33-38-2)
Line: Nuggets (-7.5) Total: 213.5
Money Line: Timberwolves (+225), Nuggets (-275)
BPI Projection: Nuggets by 3, straight up 61%, 223.6 total points.
Injury Report:
Timberwolves: Anthony Edwards, (GTD - Back); Rudy Gobert, (GTD - Ribs); Jaylen Clark, (OUT - Achilles); Karl-Anthony Towns, (OUT - Knee)
Nuggets: Jamal Murray, (GTD - Knee); Nikola Jokic, (GTD - Back); Zeke Nnaji, (OUT - Thigh); Vlatko Cancar, (OUT - Knee)
Houston Rockets at Utah Jazz
9:30 p.m. Delta Center, Salt Lake City
Records (Against the Spread)
Rockets: 37-35 (41-29-2)
Jazz: 29-44 (37-36-0)
Line: Rockets (-8.5) Total: 229.5
Money Line: Rockets (-320), Jazz (+260)
BPI Projection: Rockets by 4.1, straight up 64%, 234.8 total points.
Injury Report:
Rockets: Cam Whitmore, (OUT - Knee); Alperen Sengun, (OUT - Ankle); Steven Adams, (OUT - Knee); Tari Eason, (OUT - Lower Leg)
Jazz: Lauri Markkanen, (GTD - Shoulder); Jordan Clarkson, (OUT - Back)
Dallas Mavericks at Sacramento Kings
10 p.m. Golden 1 Center, Sacramento
Records (Against the Spread)
Mavericks: 43-29 (42-30-0)
Kings: 42-30 (37-34-1)
Line: Kings (-1.5) Total: 231.5
Money Line: Mavericks (-105), Kings (-115)
BPI Projection: Mavericks by 0.9, straight up 53%, 236.1 total points.
Injury Report:
Mavericks: Brandon Williams, (OUT - Wrist); Luka Doncic, (GTD - Achilles); Maxi Kleber, (GTD - Knee); Josh Green, (OUT - Ankle)
Kings: Sasha Vezenkov, (GTD - Ankle); Trey Lyles, (OUT - Knee); Kevin Huerter, (OUT - Shoulder)