As the NBA trade deadline comes and goes, another signature transaction jolted the Western Conference, as Kevin Durant and T.J. Warren head west from the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for Cam Johnson, Mikal Bridges, and a bunch of draft picks. Durant remains out with an MCL sprain in his right knee, but the Suns hope that his leadership will start to transform a locker room that has not looked right since the Suns were run out of their own arena by the Dallas Mavericks in Game 7 of the Western Conference semifinals last year. KD joins Chris Paul and Devin Booker in what could turn into a deep playoff run, if Booker and KD return healthy and Paul’s notorious hamstring holds up. Let’s take a look at a couple of strong NBA betting picks for Friday night from the NBA.
NBA News: Top Betting Picks for the Weekend
N.Y. Knicks (+6.5) at Philadelphia 76ers (O/U 222.5)
When: Friday, February 10, 2023
Where: Wells Fargo Center
Time: 7:00 PM ET
TV: NBA TV
New York (30-26) heads to Philadelphia as winners of three of their last four contests. On the season, they are scoring 114.2 points per game, but they can also win when the offense is struggling, as they did in a 102-98 victory over Orlando in their last game. Jalen Brunson led the way with 25 points and five assists. Julius Randle had a double-double with 22 points and 14 boards, and Immanuel Quickley chipped in 18 points. At the trade deadline, the Knicks added Josh Hart from Portland in a trade for Svi Mykhailiuk, Ryan Arcidiacono, and Cam Reddish, and Brunson is excited to be reunited with his former Villanova co-star. Hart is questionable for Friday night’s game as the Knicks will already be short-handed after the deal.
Philadelphia (34-19) looks to end a two-game skid, including a 106-99 loss to Boston in their last game. Joel Embiid put up 28 points and seven rebounds to lead the 76ers, and James Harden added 26 points and 11 assists. De’Anthony Melton also scored in double figures with 12. Their trade-deadline deal brought in Jalen McDaniels and some draft picks in exchange for Matisse Thybulle, but McDaniels is questionable for Friday’s game, as is Embiid (foot). 76ers to win and cover, take the under.
Cleveland Cavaliers (-2.5) at New Orleans Pelicans (O/U 223.5)
When: Friday, February 10, 2023
Where: Smoothie King Center
Time: 10:00 PM EST
TV: ESPN
Cleveland (35-22) beat New Orleans when the teams met up in Ohio, 113-103, and they come to New Orleans after routing Detroit, 113-85. Donovan Mitchell continues to lead the Cavs in scoring with 26.8 points per game, although he is questionable for Friday (groin). On defense, the Cavaliers have been elite, permitting just 106.2 points per game, tops in the NBA. They have the fifth-lowest permitted shooting percentage and the best adjusted defense rating, according to dunksandthrees.com. They do permit 36.5% shooting from behind the arc, which is just 20th in the NBA, and they are just 21st in rebounding (42.2 per game).
New Orleans (29-27) led the Western Conference at one point in time, but they have slid down the standings and are now 9 ½ games behind Denver, sitting in seventh place. They are scoring 115.5 points per game, 11th in the league, led by CJ McCollum’s 21.3 points per game on 43.7% overall shooting. They are 10th in three-point shooting (36.7%). On defense, they are right in the middle of the league, permitting 113.5 points per game. With Zion Williamson (hamstring) still out, though, it’s hard to see the Pelicans winning. Cavaliers to win and cover.
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