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The NBA delivers a nine-game schedule featuring several intriguing conference matchups, significant handicaps and teams looking to extend their early-season momentum. San Antonio enters the spotlight riding a remarkable ten-game winning streak, while Houston looks to build on its impressive home record against struggling Utah. Portland also travels to Sacramento as a favourite, with the Trail Blazers enjoying an excellent start to the season and the Kings still searching for their first home victory.
NEW YORK KNICKS @ INDIANA PACERS
Odds: NY -7.5 ($1.96) / IND +7.5 ($1.84)
WIN/LOSS
| TEAM | W | L | HOME | ROAD |
| NY | 6 | 5 | 4-3 | 2-2 |
| IND | 4 | 8 | 1-4 | 3-3 |
SEASON POINTS +/-
| TEAM | PPG | OPPG | DIFF | TOT.AV. |
| NY | 110.3 | 103.5 | +6.8 | 213.8 |
| IND | 111.6 | 114.0 | -2.4 | 225.6 |
PICKS ATS
| SPREAD | POINTS | RESULT |
| NY | UNDER | IND |
| -7.5 | 219.5 | 106-104 |
New York and Indiana meet for the first time this season at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Friday night, separated by 2.5 games in the Eastern Conference standings. The Knicks won last season’s series 3-1, including two road victories, with Jalen Brunson averaging 31.3 points across three appearances.
Indiana defeated Washington 114-101 in their latest outing, with Pascal Siakam recording 28 points and 8 rebounds. Ivica Zubac added 20 points and 12 rebounds as the Pacers snapped a five-game losing streak against Eastern Conference opponents.
New York are coming off a 115-107 defeat to Cleveland despite Karl-Anthony Towns delivering 21 points, 11 rebounds and 8 assists. Brunson added 27 points, but the loss ended the Knicks’ five-game winning streak against the Cavaliers. Aaron Nesmith is questionable for Indiana.
PICK – New York Knicks -7.5
MILWAUKEE BUCKS @ ORLANDO MAGIC
Odds: MIL +8.5 ($1.96) / ORL -8.5 ($1.85)
WIN/LOSS
| TEAM | W | L | HOME | ROAD |
| MIL | 1 | 11 | 1-6 | 0-5 |
| ORL | 4 | 7 | 0-4 | 4-3 |
SEASON POINTS +/-
| TEAM | PPG | OPPG | DIFF | TOT.AV. |
| MIL | 106.8 | 121.3 | -14.5 | 228.1 |
| ORL | 108.5 | 114.0 | -5.5 | 222.5 |
PICKS ATS
| SPREAD | POINTS | RESULT |
| MIL | UNDER | ORL |
| +8.5 | 223.5 | 107-99 |
Orlando and Milwaukee meet for the first time this season at Kia Center on Friday night’s NBA Cup Group Stage clash. The Magic won last season’s series 2-1, recording one home and one road victory.
Orlando are coming off a 123-108 victory over Utah, with Franz Wagner matching his career-high 38 points and adding 8 rebounds on 13-of-23 shooting (56.5%). Anthony Black recorded 22 points, 7 rebounds and 8 assists, while Desmond Bane contributed 25 points.
Milwaukee had a 123-112 defeat to the Lakers on Wednesday despite Tyler Herro recording 27 points and 7 assists. Jaime Jaquez Jr. added 25 points, but the Bucks have now lost 11 straight road games. Myles Turner is available to return for Milwaukee, while Jalen Suggs and Tristan da Silva are questionable for Orlando.
PICK – Milwaukee Bucks +8.5
MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES @ NEW ORLEANS PELICANS
Odds: MEM -3.5 ($1.90) / NO +3.5 ($1.90)
WIN/LOSS
| TEAM | W | L | HOME | ROAD |
| MEM | 7 | 4 | 2-4 | 5-0 |
| NO | 4 | 8 | 3-4 | 1-4 |
SEASON POINTS +/-
| TEAM | PPG | OPPG | DIFF | TOT.AV. |
| MEM | 117.9 | 111.9 | +6.0 | 229.8 |
| NO | 116.9 | 124.3 | -7.4 | 241.2 |
PICKS ATS
| SPREAD | POINTS | RESULT |
| MEM | OVER | MEM |
| -3.5 | 235.5 | 142-111 |
Memphis and New Orleans meet for the second time this season at Smoothie King Center on Friday night’s NBA Cup Group Stage clash. The Pelicans won their first meeting 135-134 in overtime on November 2, with Zion Williamson recording 25 points and 11 rebounds.
New Orleans are coming off a heavy 145-111 defeat to Brooklyn despite Williamson scoring 29 points. The 34-point loss extended the Pelicans’ losing streak to four games, with Trey Murphy III doubtful to return.
Memphis had a rough 123-118 defeat to Denver on Wednesday and have now lost five straight games against Southwest Division opponents. The Grizzlies will be looking to reverse that trend after their narrow one-point overtime loss to New Orleans earlier this season. Zach Edey is out for Memphis, while Bennedict Mathurin is doubtful for the Pelicans.
PICK – Over 235.5 Total Points
CLEVELAND CAVALIERS @ MIAMI HEAT
Odds: CLE +2.5 ($1.85) / MIA -2.5 ($1.95)
WIN/LOSS
| TEAM | W | L | HOME | ROAD |
| CLE | 6 | 6 | 4-2 | 2-4 |
| MIA | 5 | 6 | 1-3 | 4-3 |
SEASON POINTS +/-
| TEAM | PPG | OPPG | DIFF | TOT.AV. |
| CLE | 116.4 | 114.3 | +2.1 | 230.7 |
| MIA | 115.7 | 120.0 | -4.3 | 235.7 |
PICKS ATS
| SPREAD | POINTS | RESULT |
| CLE | UNDER | MIA |
| +2.5 | 235.5 | 133-121 |
Cleveland and Miami meet for the first time this season at Kaseya Center on Friday night’s NBA Cup Group Stage clash. Last season’s four-game series finished 2-2, with both teams recording one home and one road victory.
Miami are coming off a 115-109 victory over Utah, with Giannis Antetokounmpo recording 30 points and 11 rebounds on 12-of-21 shooting (57.1%). The Heat secured the six-point road victory behind another strong double-double from Antetokounmpo.
Cleveland beat New York 115-107 on Wednesday, with James Harden delivering 32 points and 5 threes on 9-of-14 shooting (64.3%). Donovan Mitchell added 23 points and 7 rebounds. The Cavaliers have now won nine straight games when Harden and Mitchell combine for at least 50 points. Evan Mobley is out for Cleveland, while Klay Thompson and Pelle Larsson are questionable for Miami.
PICK – Cleveland Cavaliers +2.5
ATLANTA HAWKS @ CHICAGO BULLS
Odds: ATL -7.5 ($1.95) / CHI +7.5 ($1.85)
WIN/LOSS
| TEAM | W | L | HOME | ROAD |
| ATL | 7 | 5 | 3-3 | 4-2 |
| CHI | 1 | 9 | 0-4 | 1-5 |
SEASON POINTS +/-
| TEAM | PPG | OPPG | DIFF | TOT.AV. |
| ATL | 118.3 | 116.2 | +2.1 | 234.5 |
| CHI | 113.3 | 128.8 | -15.5 | 242.1 |
PICKS ATS
| SPREAD | POINTS | RESULT |
| ATL | UNDER | CHI |
| -7.5 | 245.5 | 125-117 (1OT) |
Atlanta and Chicago meet for the first time this season at United Center on Friday night’s NBA Cup Group Stage clash. The Bulls swept last season’s series 3-0, including a 128-123 home victory over the Hawks.
Chicago are coming off a 124-119 defeat to San Antonio after blowing a 22-point lead. The five-point loss extended the Bulls’ losing streak to eight games, with Caleb Wilson now sidelined for at least four weeks after suffering a fractured hand.
Atlanta had a 124-114 defeat to the Lakers on Monday, with Nickeil Alexander-Walker shooting just 6-of-19 from the field (31.6%). Despite that result, the Hawks have won five straight games against Eastern Conference opponents. Norman Powell is questionable for Chicago, while Kingston Flemings holds the same status for Atlanta.
PICK – Atlanta Hawks -7.5
UTAH JAZZ @ HOUSTON ROCKETS
Odds: UTA +17.5 ($1.88) / HOU -17.5 ($1.92)
WIN/LOSS
| TEAM | W | L | HOME | ROAD |
| UTA | 1 | 11 | 1-6 | 0-5 |
| HOU | 9 | 3 | 6-1 | 3-2 |
SEASON POINTS +/-
| TEAM | PPG | OPPG | DIFF | TOT.AV. |
| UTA | 106.6 | 118.1 | -11.5 | 224.7 |
| HOU | 115.4 | 106.5 | +8.9 | 221.9 |
PICKS ATS
| SPREAD | POINTS | RESULT |
| UTA | UNDER | HOU |
| +17.5 | 219.5 | 125-118 |
PICK – Utah Jazz +17.5
GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS @ SAN ANTONIO SPURS
Odds: GSW +12.5 ($1.88) / SA -12.5 ($1.92)
WIN/LOSS
| TEAM | W | L | HOME | ROAD |
| GSW | 8 | 4 | 6-1 | 2-3 |
| SA | 10 | 2 | 4-2 | 6-0 |
SEASON POINTS +/-
| TEAM | PPG | OPPG | DIFF | TOT.AV. |
| GSW | 119.3 | 111.5 | +7.8 | 230.8 |
| SA | 119.2 | 108.0 | +11.2 | 227.2 |
PICKS ATS
| SPREAD | POINTS | RESULT |
| GSW | OVER | SAS |
| +12.5 | 219.5 | 123-85 |
Golden State and San Antonio meet for the first time this season at Frost Bank Center on Friday night’s NBA Cup Group Stage clash. The road team won all four meetings last season, with both clubs recording two away victories.
San Antonio are coming off a 124-119 victory over Chicago after overturning a 22-point deficit. Victor Wembanyama delivered 32 points and 5 blocks on 13-of-18 shooting (72.2%). The Spurs have now won 21 of their last 22 games when Wembanyama scores at least 30 points.
Golden State had a 115-108 defeat to Houston on Wednesday despite Yaxel Lendeborg recording 25 points and 10 rebounds. The loss snapped the Warriors’ eight-game winning streak. Stephen Curry has been ruled out for at least two weeks, while De’Aaron Fox and Devin Vassell are questionable for San Antonio.
PICK – Golden State Warriors +12.5
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS @ SACRAMENTO KINGS
Odds: POR -10.5 ($1.84) / SAC +10.5 ($1.96)
WIN/LOSS
| TEAM | W | L | HOME | ROAD |
| POR | 8 | 3 | 3-2 | 5-1 |
| SAC | 1 | 10 | 0-6 | 1-4 |
SEASON POINTS +/-
| TEAM | PPG | OPPG | DIFF | TOT.AV. |
| POR | 119.5 | 112.3 | +7.2 | 231.8 |
| SAC | 108.3 | 121.0 | -12.7 | 229.3 |
PICKS ATS
| SPREAD | POINTS | RESULT |
| POR | OVER | POR |
| -10.5 | 228.5 | 120-107 |
Portland and Sacramento meet for the second time this season at Golden 1 Center on Friday night’s NBA Cup Group Stage clash. The Trail Blazers won their first meeting 128-120 on October 23, extending their winning streak against the Kings to five games.
Sacramento are coming off a 107-100 defeat to Orlando despite Zach LaVine scoring 31 points and Darius Acuff Jr. adding 29. The Kings now hold a 0-6 home record this season and are still searching for their first victory at Golden 1 Center.
Portland beat Oklahoma City 118-108 on Wednesday, with Deni Avdija recording 28 points, 6 assists and a career-high-tying 4 steals. The Trail Blazers have now won five of their six road games this season and will be looking to extend their winning streak against Sacramento to six. Precious Achiuwa is questionable for the Kings.
PICK – Portland Trail Blazers -10.5
OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER @ LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS
Odds: OKC -7.5 ($1.90) / LAC +7.5 ($1.90)
WIN/LOSS
| TEAM | W | L | HOME | ROAD |
| OKC | 8 | 4 | 5-0 | 3-4 |
| LAC | 2 | 8 | 2-3 | 0-5 |
SEASON POINTS +/-
| TEAM | PPG | OPPG | DIFF | TOT.AV. |
| OKC | 111.1 | 106.9 | +4.2 | 218.0 |
| LAC | 112.2 | 118.1 | -5.9 | 230.3 |
PICKS ATS
| SPREAD | POINTS | RESULT |
| OKC | — | LAC |
| -7.5 | 222.5 | 113-112 |
Oklahoma City and Los Angeles meet for the second time this season at Intuit Dome on Friday night’s NBA Cup Group Stage clash. The Thunder won their first meeting 108-101 on October 25, extending their winning streak against the Clippers to nine games.
Los Angeles are coming off a 133-110 defeat to Phoenix, losing by 23 points. The Clippers have now lost eight of their last nine games and will be looking to snap their nine-game losing streak against Oklahoma City.
The Thunder suffered a 118-108 defeat to Portland on Wednesday despite Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scoring 31 points. Isaiah Hartenstein added 20 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists, but Oklahoma City have now lost four of their last five games against Western Conference opponents. Ajay Mitchell is questionable to return for the Thunder.
PICK – Under 222.5 Total Points
