Bettors have nine games to choose from on the NBA schedule Friday night. However, the most interesting matchup on the slate features the Milwaukee Bucks facing the Chicago Bulls at United Center on ESPN. The Bucks are on a four-game winning streak, while the Bulls are looking for a victory after splitting their past 10 games. There are two prop bets from this game that bettors would be wise to pay attention to, which leads me to my first recommendation.
Coby White over 19.5 points.
The Bucks have struggled defending the perimeter all season and rank 28th in points per game allowed to point guards, Meanwhile, White has cleared this line in six of his past 10 games including his past two games against Milwaukee this season.
Chicago Bulls over 108.5 points.
Expect the Bulls to put up a lot of points against the Bucks on Friday night, especially on their home court. Chicago has scored over 108.5 points in seven of their past 10 games, including two of their past three games against the Bucks this season. The Bulls should be able to take advantage of a leaky Bucks defense even with Doc Rivers at the helm.
Jalen Duren over 12.5 assists and rebounds.
The Pistons enter Friday night's game against the Cavs as 9.5-point underdogs but have covered the spread in each of their past three games. Although Duren has failed to clear this line in his two games against the Cavaliers this season, he has had a ton of success. Duren has exceeded 12.5 assists and rebounds in 70% of his games this season including five straight.
Derrick White over 18.5 points and assists.
The Mavericks have not been a great defensive team this season, ranking 20th in points allowed per 100 possessions. White is in a great spot to shine at home with Boston as 10.5-point favorites. He has surpassed 18.5 points and assists in four of his past five games and has averaged 32.3 MPG over that span.
CJ McCollum over 20.5 points and assists.
McCollum has surpassed 20.5 points and assists in 68% of his games this season including seven of his past 10 games. He just cleared this line in the Pelicans' last game against the Pacers on Wednesday. Every game is critical for New Orleans right now as the Pelicans continue to fight for playoff seeding in the West, which bodes well for McCollum clearing the over.
Projections and injury reports
Odds provided by ESPN BET. Basketball Power Index by ESPN Analytics. Injury aggregation by Rotowire.com.
Cleveland Cavaliers at Detroit Pistons
7 p.m. Little Caesars Arena, Detroit
Records (Against the Spread)
Cavaliers: 38-20 (28-29-1)
Pistons: 9-49 (29-28-1)
Line: Cavaliers (-8.5) Total: 221.5
Money Line: Cavaliers (-400), Pistons (+320)
BPI Projection: Cavaliers by 7.3, straight up 75%, 221.5 total points.
Injury Report:
Cavaliers: Donovan Mitchell, (GTD - Knee); Tristan Thompson, (OUT - Suspension); Ty Jerome, (OUT - Ankle)
Pistons: Marcus Sasser, (OUT - Knee)
Charlotte Hornets at Philadelphia 76ers
7 p.m. Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia
Records (Against the Spread)
Hornets: 15-44 (23-36-0)
76ers: 33-25 (32-26-0)
Line: 76ers (-11.5) Total: 213.5
Money Line: Hornets (+450), 76ers (-650)
BPI Projection: 76ers by 12.8, straight up 87%, 227.8 total points.
Injury Report:
Hornets: LaMelo Ball, (GTD - Ankle); Mark Williams, (OUT - Back)
76ers: KJ Martin, (GTD - Ankle); De'Anthony Melton, (OUT - Back); Robert Covington, (OUT - Knee); Joel Embiid, (OUT - Knee)
Dallas Mavericks at Boston Celtics
7:30 p.m. TD Garden, Boston
Records (Against the Spread)
Mavericks: 34-25 (33-26-0)
Celtics: 46-12 (29-26-3)
Line: Celtics (-9.5) Total: 235.5
Money Line: Mavericks (+360), Celtics (-470)
BPI Projection: Celtics by 10.3, straight up 83%, 233.6 total points.
Injury Report:
Mavericks: Luka Doncic, (GTD - Ankle)
Celtics: None reported
Golden State Warriors at Toronto Raptors
7:30 p.m. Scotiabank Arena, Toronto
Records (Against the Spread)
Warriors: 31-27 (31-25-2)
Raptors: 22-37 (29-30-0)
Line: Warriors (-3.5) Total: 237.5
Money Line: Warriors (-155), Raptors (+130)
BPI Projection: Warriors by 2.5, straight up 59%, 231.8 total points.
Injury Report:
Warriors: Andrew Wiggins, (GTD - Personal); Gui Santos, (OUT - Knee)
Raptors: Chris Boucher, (GTD - Illness)
Portland Trail Blazers at Memphis Grizzlies
8 p.m. FedExForum, Memphis
Records (Against the Spread)
Blazers: 15-42 (25-32-0)
Grizzlies: 20-39 (28-31-0)
Line: Grizzlies (-1.5) Total: 208.5
Money Line: Blazers (-105), Grizzlies (-115)
BPI Projection: Grizzlies by 2.6, straight up 59%, 222.0 total points.
Injury Report:
Blazers: Deandre Ayton, (GTD - Hand); Moses Brown, (GTD - Wrist); Malcolm Brogdon, (OUT - Elbow); Scoot Henderson, (OUT - Thigh); Shaedon Sharpe, (OUT - Abdomen); Robert Williams III, (OUT - Knee)
Grizzlies: Brandon Clarke, (GTD - Achilles); GG Jackson, (GTD - Quadriceps); John Konchar, (GTD - Thumb); Luke Kennard, (GTD - Illness); Derrick Rose, (OUT - Back); Jaren Jackson Jr., (OUT - Quadriceps); Scotty Pippen Jr., (OUT - Back); Desmond Bane, (OUT - Ankle); Marcus Smart, (OUT - Finger); Ja Morant, (OUT - Shoulder)
Sacramento Kings at Minnesota Timberwolves
8 p.m. Target Center, Minneapolis
Records (Against the Spread)
Kings: 33-25 (30-27-1)
Timberwolves: 42-17 (30-26-3)
Line: Timberwolves (-6.5) Total: 224.5
Money Line: Kings (+215), Timberwolves (-265)
BPI Projection: Timberwolves by 8.2, straight up 76%, 233.6 total points.
Injury Report:
Kings: De'Aaron Fox, (GTD - Knee); Sasha Vezenkov, (OUT - Ankle)
Timberwolves: Anthony Edwards, (GTD - Ankle); Kyle Anderson, (GTD - Knee); Jaylen Clark, (OUT - Achilles)
Indiana Pacers at New Orleans Pelicans
8 p.m. Smoothie King Center, New Orleans
Records (Against the Spread)
Pacers: 34-26 (32-26-2)
Pelicans: 35-25 (31-28-1)
Line: Pelicans (-5.5) Total: 238.5
Money Line: Pacers (+170), Pelicans (-200)
BPI Projection: Pelicans by 4.3, straight up 65%, 240.4 total points.
Injury Report:
Pacers: Aaron Nesmith, (GTD - Ankle); Doug McDermott, (OUT - Calf)
Pelicans: Dyson Daniels, (OUT - Knee)
Milwaukee Bucks at Chicago Bulls
10 p.m. United Center, Chicago
Records (Against the Spread)
Bucks: 39-21 (25-35-0)
Bulls: 28-31 (31-27-1)
Line: Bucks (-4.5) Total: 221.5
Money Line: Bucks (-175), Bulls (+150)
BPI Projection: Bucks by 1, straight up 53%, 234.9 total points.
Injury Report:
Bucks: Khris Middleton, (GTD - Ankle)
Bulls: Alex Caruso, (GTD - Hamstring); Torrey Craig, (OUT - Knee); Lonzo Ball, (OUT - Knee); Patrick Williams, (OUT - Foot); Zach LaVine, (OUT - Foot)
Washington Wizards at LA Clippers
10:30 p.m. Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles
Records (Against the Spread)
Wizards: 9-50 (28-30-1)
Clippers: 37-20 (29-28-0)
Line: Clippers (-15.5) Total: 238.5
Money Line: Wizards (+900), Clippers (-1600)
BPI Projection: Clippers by 15.2, straight up 91%, 235.3 total points.
Injury Report:
Wizards: Bilal Coulibaly, (GTD - Pelvis); Isaiah Livers, (OUT - Hip)
Clippers: Ivica Zubac, (GTD - Illness); Paul George, (GTD - Knee)