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| Time (EST) | Game | Pick |
|---|---|---|
| TOP BETS TODAY | ||
| 7:30pm | Charlotte Hornets @ Boston Celtics | BOS -11 |
| 10:00pm | Dallas Mavericks @ Sacramento Kings | SAC -4 |
| 10:00pm | Cleveland Cavaliers @ New Orleans Pelicans | NOP +3 |
Charlotte Hornets (15-41) @ Boston Celtics (39-16) – ESPN
The Celtics just lost Jaylen Brown to a facial fracture, but it is uncertain how much time he will miss.
So it will be next man up for a Boston team that flaunts such quality backcourt depth that 2017 Rookie of the Year, Malcolm Brogdon, doesn’t even crack their starting roster.
While Brown will obviously be missed, the Celtics have more than enough weaponry to convincingly take care of the 15-win Hornets, who limp into the Garden on a 5-game losing streak.
Charlotte is 30th in the NBA in 3-point percentage (32%) and field-goal percentage (45%), and that production will not cut it if they aim to keep pace with the high-flying Cs.
I expect the warm receptions for Terry Rozier and Gordon Hayward to be the lone moments of positivity for the Hornets on Friday night in front of an otherwise frenzied Boston crowd.
PICK: BOS -11
Dallas Mavericks (30-26) @ Sacramento Kings (31-23) – NBCS
De’Aaron Fox should have some extra pep in his step tonight after being announced to his first All Star game as an injury replacement.
Fox has been the clear focal point for the Kings, who boast the NBA’s highest points per game average (120 PPG).
After years of cellar dwelling in the Pacific, they now quietly own a 2-game lead over their underperforming divisional foes in the Clippers, Suns, Warriors and Lakers.
Show me who has that preseason prediction. I’ll wait…
The Mavericks got a clear talent injection by adding Kyrie Irving at the deadline, but it remains to be seen how he’ll mesh in the locker room with a Dallas team that was already 4th in the West.
Irving debuted for the Mavs on Wednesday, but will be without Luca Doncic once again tonight.
The Kings handle business at home on Friday night, adding another quality win to their impressive 2022-2023 resume.
PICK: SAC -4
Cleveland Cavaliers (35-22) @ New Orleans Pelicans (29-27) – ESPN
In the wake of the recent dismantling of the Brooklyn Nets, the Cavaliers legitimacy as a contender in the East just got a tad more realistic.
But their vulnerability on the road is worth pointing out, as they are just 12-16 without their home cooking in Cleveland.
There has been something in the water lately for the Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center, as they look to complete the 4-game sweep on this homestand.
New Orleans has played some inspired basketball lately without Zion Williamson, with a 32-point win over the Kings on Sunday.
Without Williamson, CJ McCollum and Brandon Ingram are forming a formidable one-two punch for the Pelicans, who will have another chance to make a statement against a quality opponent in the ESPN nightcap.
PICK: NOP +3
NBA Parlay of the Day (+750)
| Time (EST) | Game | Pick |
|---|---|---|
| 7:30pm | Charlotte Hornets @ Boston Celtics | BOS -11 (-110) |
| 10:00pm | Dallas Mavericks @ Sacramento Kings | SAC -4 (-110) |
| 10:00pm | Cleveland Cavaliers @ New Orleans Pelicans | NOP ML (+130) |
