Tonight the NBA presents non-stop action to kick off the weekend. There are 11 games taking place across the league on Friday with lots of opportunity to find edges. There are two totals that stand out amongst the slate. Let’s dive into the best NBA bets, picks and NBA betting tips for Friday, Jan. 28.
NBA Best Bets: Game Tips & Expert Betting Predictions
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Pacers vs. Thunder Best Bet (Louisiana Betting Offers)
The Pacers travel to Oklahoma City on Friday night for a matchup with the Thunder. The Thunder will try to avoid losing seven straight games when they take on Indiana. Oklahoma City has lost 11 of their last 12 games, falling to 14-33 on the season. The Pacers are looking to improve their 5-19 record on the road. The spread is essentially a pick-’em with the Pacers coming into this one with a banged-up roster.
Indiana has been fighting through a season full of injuries that has played a crucial part in their slow first half of the season. Indiana suffered a brutal loss on Wednesday, letting up 156 points to the Charlotte Hornets. Fortunately for the Pacers, they will get a chance to redeem themselves against the league-worst Thunder offense. Malcom Brogdon (Achilles) and Myles Turner (foot) remain out for Friday. Domantas Sabonis is questionable with an ankle injury that has forced him to miss the last four games. He was able to get a practice in on Thursday, so keep an eye on any updates, as he will have a chance to suit up in Friday’s action. Sabonis is the heart and soul of this team leading the Pacers in both points and rebounds. Caris LeVert and Chris Duarte have been forced to step up during the absence of Brogdon and Sabonis. The team ranks 14th in offense rating and is averaging 108.6 points per game. Their defense ranks 24th in defensive rating allowing opponents to score 110.2 points per game.
The Thunder will look to stop the bleeding with a win at home on Friday. Oklahoma City is last in the Northwest Division at 14-33. The Thunder are 8-15 at home this year, with their last win on Dec. 31 versus the Knicks. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continues to put up solid offensive performances night in and night out, but his performances alone are not enough to produce consecutive wins for this team. Oklahoma City ranks dead last in both offensive rating and effective field goal percentage on the year. The offense is averaging 100.6 points per game on 41.6% shooting from the field.
This is the first meeting of these two teams this season. Oklahoma City has a 19-28 over/under record on the year. Indiana is 24-25 over/under on the season and 9-15 over/under on the road. The Thunder are averaging 99 points on offense over their last six games. Neither team plays at a high pace. Both squads rank bottom half of the league in 3-pointers and free throws made. It is never a bad bet to take the under in matchup that includes the league’s worst offense.
Best Bet for Tonight’s Game: Total Under 219.5 Points (Louisiana Betting Offers)
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Nuggets vs. Pelicans Best Bet (Louisiana Betting Offers)
The Denver Nuggets look to continue their winning ways on the road with a stop in New Orleans to take on the Pelicans Friday night. The Nuggets have won three straight games, with their most recent win coming in Brooklyn on Wednesday, defeating the Nets by a score of 124-118. The Pelicans are on the front end of a back-to-back on their homecourt before heading to Cleveland on Monday. The big question of the night for New Orleans is whether or not Brandon Ingram will be able to suit up after missing the past two games with a sprained ankle.
The Nuggets enter Friday 17th in the league in scoring offense, with an average of 108.3 points per game this season. The Nuggets are 10th in 3-pointers made draining 12.6 per game on the year. Denver stands 15th in defense rating giving up an average of 107.1 points a night. Nikola Jokic is leading the team in scoring with 26.2 points, 13.8 rebounds and 7.6 assists per game this season.
Devonte’ Graham is not on the injury report ahead of Friday’s game. He missed Tuesday’s matchup due to ankle soreness but is expected to be back in the lineup for tonight’s matchup. Josh Hart (ankle) and Ingram (ankle) are both listed as questionable. Neither player was able to participate in practice on Thursday, so signs are pointing towards those two sitting again tonight. The Pelicans rank 25th in offensive rating and are averaging 105.7 points per game. New Orleans will try to use its advantage on the offensive glass to create second-chance opportunities for the Pelicans. Their defense ranks 24th in defensive rating, holding opponents to 109.9 points per game.
Despite both these teams being in the bottom half of the league in pace, Denver’s efficiency makes up for the slow tempo. These two teams are averaging 227.5 combined points over their last four matchups. The Nuggets have gone over the game total in seven of their last eight games, ranking first in offensive rating and effective field goal percentage over this span. Denver has cashed the over in 55% of their games this season. The Pelicans have covered this number is three of their last five games, despite missing Ingram and Hart. Whether Ingram is in the lineup or not, expect this game total to finish in the 220- to 223-point range. Have confidence in laying the over in Friday night’s matchup.
Best Bet for Tonight’s Game: Total Over 218 Points (Louisiana Betting Offers)
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