The NBA season is in full swing, and there are plenty of betting opportunities. Our experts are here to give their best bets from Friday's lineup of games.
ATS records
Preston Johnson 2-1
Jordan Schultz 4-10-1
Doug Kezirian 3-4-1
Andre Snellings 5-3
Odds courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook unless noted otherwise.
Friday's games
Milwaukee Bucks at Los Angeles Lakers (-1, 227.5)
Kezirian: I am siding with the team in a much better situational spot. The Bucks are playing their fourth game in four different cities over six days.
I like the Lakers in this spot, and I also think their three big men -- Anthony Davis, JaVale McGee and Dwight Howard -- can clog the paint enough on Giannis Antetokounmpo to make life difficult. Obviously the Bucks are loaded and have excellent perimeter shooting, but I'll take the Lakers.
Pick: Lakers -1
Schultz: Both teams are red hot, having dropped just one game apiece since the break. Milwaukee, however, is the more balanced offensive team and a significantly better rebounding team to the tune of six more boards a night. Behind the dominant play of Giannis (29.6 PPG on 55% shooting, 13.8 RPG, 5.8 APG), the Bucks are 10-4 ATS in their past 14 games.
With all five starters ranking in the top 10 of individual defensive rating, the Bucks possess the No. 1 overall defense in basketball (the Lakers rank third). Their ability to suffocate driving lanes and funnel ball screens into turnovers creates easy transition opportunities for the Greek Freak, often resulting in either a Giannis dunk or Khris Middleton triple. As impressive as MVP candidate James and Davis have been all season, even they will struggle with Milwaukee's blend of length, skill and overall balance in this potential Finals preview.
Pick: Bucks +1
Memphis Grizzlies at Dallas Mavericks (-6.5, 225.5)
Schultz: Luka Doncic continues to torch the record books. The second-year man just became the Mavericks' all-time leader in triple-doubles with 22 total in 122 games. Keep in mind it took Jason Kidd 500 games.
Kristaps Porzingis meanwhile, is playing his best ball of the season. Since Jan. 31, the Latvian unicorn is averaging nearly 28 PPG, 11 rebounds and 2.3 blocks on 50% shooting and 39% from 3-point range. In fact, the Mavs attempt 41.4 triples a game -- second most in the NBA -- and they make 37%, good for eighth best. Memphis has struggled to guard shooting all season, ranking in the bottom third of the NBA defending the 3, allowing teams to shoot 36.4% from downtown. Better yet, Dallas has the No. 1-ranked offense in the league with a sterling 116.9 offensive rating.
The Mavs are 8-3 ATS versus division foes this season, so we can expect a comfortable cover in Big D with a large dose of the long ball.
Pick: Mavericks -8
Miami Heat at New Orleans Pelicans (-1.5, 235.5)
Schultz: Zion Williamson continues to set the bar, showcasing an otherworldly combination of quickness, power and dexterity. The 19-year-old phenom has averaged nearly 25 PPG and 7 RPG while converting over 58% from the floor. Equally important for the Pelicans has been his instant connection with Lonzo Ball. The third-year point guard has seen a drastic uptick in production since Williamson's debut, highlighted by his career-high seven triples against Dallas on Wednesday night. Per SB Nation, the pair is better than plus-7 in about 350 minutes of shared floor time, while the Pels are over 14 points better per 100 possessions.
One thing we know about Miami is the Heat struggle on the road. They have lost six of their past seven road games -- their lone win came against Golden State -- in large part due to offensive woes. At home, Miami scores 117 PPG compared to 108 on the road. Better yet, Erik Spoelstra's club, which is still missing sharpshooting Tyler Herro with an injury, is 12-18-1 ATS on the road this season.
Pick: Pelicans -1.5
Snellings: The Heat and Pelicans have been going in opposite directions recently. Miami has won four straight games, including signature wins over the Bucks and Nets, with a +7.5 PPG scoring margin. The Pelicans, on the other hand, have lost three straight games including tough ones against the Lakers and Mavericks -- and a bad loss to the Timberwolves -- by a -5.7 PPG scoring margin.
Zion Williamson has had the most difficulty against long, defensive-minded power forwards such as Giannis Antetokounmpo, who have the quickness and length to contest his moves and the strength to not be bullied. The Heat are led defensively by a player that fits the above description in Bam Adebayo, who just held Antetokounmpo in check this week.
Pick: Heat +1.5