After a loaded 11-game slate on Thursday, the NBA returns with with an action-packed seven-game slate on Friday. We’re also getting into the second night of back-to-backs after so many teams had been coming in off long layoffs. With so much to choose from, let’s survey DraftKings Sportsbook for some player props, totals and sides to bet. You can follow me on Twitter (@KennyDucey) for any late adds.
Here’s what jumps out to me on DraftKings Sportsbook.
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Denver was able to cover four-straight spreads heading into the break — including one huge 31-point win over the Bucks as eight-point underdogs — and will now put its rested legs to the test against a Memphis team that comfortably took down Washington on Wednesday. In that game, the Grizzlies were able to go for a ridiculous 78 points in the paint, which is something the Nuggets simply just don’t allow. They rank 10th in the NBA in opponent points in the paint, and I expect the Grizzlies to really struggle when they figure out they can’t just force the issue inside. Their three-point numbers of late have not been great, with just eight made buckets from distance in each of the last two games. Points are going to be tough to come by, and that will be their downfall against one of the league’s best offenses.
The Sixers are an imperfect 0-5 on the second night of back-to-backs, and now have to deal with missing Ben Simmons once again. Their offense actually posted its second-best efficiency rating of the year without Simmons and Joel Embiid on Thursday, but that was due in large part to a weak Chicago interior defense. In fact, Philly shot just 30.3% from three in that game! Now, the bench players that have been called upon to step up with two of Philly’s biggest stars out will be a bit more tired than on a normal back-to-back. I think Washington and its stout interior defense (39.4% FG on midrange shots over the past 10 games) should get things done.
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With no Aaron Gordon and Terrence Ross on the second night of a back-to-back, it’s no surprise the Magic are big underdogs. Even still, I think this is a slightly disrespectful line towards the Spurs. San Antonio has proven over the past two weeks it can hang with the best teams in the NBA, and its defense sits eighth with a 109.4 rating over the past 10 contests. I don’t see a way Orlando scores enough to hang here, considering it is over one point worse per 100 possessions with Gordon off the floor, and the defense has fallen three points per 100 possessions without Gordon. This should be a blowout.
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All betting odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.
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