The NBA season is in full swing, and there are plenty of betting opportunities. Our experts -- Jordan Schultz and senior writer Andre Snellings -- are here to give their best bets from Friday's lineup of games.
Records
Johnson 2-0
Schultz 1-4
Kezirian 2-2
Snellings 1-1
Odds courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook unless noted otherwise.
Friday's games
Milwaukee Bucks (-13.5, 219) vs. Charlotte Hornets (in Paris, France)
Schultz: Giannis Antetokounmpo might be the reigning league MVP, but what makes the Bucks truly special is their ability to sustain an elite level of play even without Antetokounmpo on the floor.
As good a story as Devonte' Graham has been, he can't salvage an otherwise brutal offensive attack in Charlotte. The Hornets rank 23rd in offensive rating and 26th in net rating. Antetokounmpo's Bucks are No. 1.
Pick: Bucks -13.5
Houston Rockets (-5, 234.5) at Minnesota Timberwolves
Snellings: The Timberwolves have lost seven straight games and 16 of their past 21 overall, including losses by an average of 9.5 points per game in 11 straight games in which Karl-Anthony Towns has played.
The Rockets were mired in a season-long four-game losing streak until defeating the Nuggets by 16 points on Wednesday. However, the Rockets have also had the Timberwolves' number this season, beating them by 20 points in Minnesota in November and by 30 in Houston two weeks ago.
According to ESPN BPI, the Rockets are favored to win by 3.6 points. However, the Rockets' strength is scoring in bunches (second in NBA with 118.4 PPG), while Timberwolves allow the sixth-most points in the NBA (114.6 PPG allowed). The matchup is a good one for the Rockets.
Pick: Rockets -5
Phoenix Suns at San Antonio Spurs (-4, 229)
Snellings: The Spurs are playing good ball of late, winning six of their last nine with an average scoring margin of +3.2 PPG, with strong wins against the Bucks in Boston, in Toronto and at home against the Heat during that stretch. Meanwhile, the Suns have lost five of their past nine games with an average scoring margin of -2.1 PPG.
The Spurs have won both games against the Suns this season by two points, with both games in Phoenix. This game is in San Antonio, and home-court advantage is typically estimated to be worth about three points. According to ESPN BPI, the Spurs are favored to win by 5.0 points.
Pick: Spurs - 4