Hawks vs. Heat, Nets vs. Lakers predictions: NBA odds, picks
Here are two bets to target on Friday’s NBA slate.
(8 p.m. ET)
The Hawks own the worst against-the-spread (ATS) record in the NBA this season by covering just 25% of the time (10-30).
They’re last on the road as well, with a 6-14 ATS mark and 4-9 as road underdogs.
The Hawks travel to Miami for a Southeast Division battle with the Heat, facing Miami for the third time this season. They didn’t fare well in the previous games, losing by eight in Atlanta and nine in Miami. The Hawks were big favorites in the first game and closed as short underdogs in the second.
The Heat return home after getting blasted by the Raptors on Wednesday, 121-97, as three-point favorites. Miami trailed by 35 at halftime and scored less than 100 points for the second straight game.
The Hawks held off the Magic on Wednesday, 106-104, but true to form, Atlanta failed to cover as 4.5-point home favorites. Atlanta has covered the spread in consecutive games only once this season, as the Hawks beat San Antonio by 10 as 8.5-point favorites.
The Heat are riding a 9-2 streak to the under in their last 11 games, including limiting their last three opponents to fewer than 100 points.
The Hawks own a 5-12 ATS record in the underdog role this season, as all five covers came in outright wins.
And things aren’t getting better as the team is showing signs of checking out with Dejounte Murray and possibly others on the trade block.
Making matters worse, point guard Trae Young is listed as questionable for Friday night as he deals with an illness.
Miami should be able to rebound at home following Wednesday’s poor showing against Toronto. The Heat will have Jimmy Butler, who missed the first two matchups with the Hawks this season, and could get Kevin Love and rookie Jaimie Jaquez Jr. back as well, although Jaquez is a longer shot.
This Hawks team is tough to back in its current state and with its dreadful ATS numbers.
Let’s lay the points with the Heat at home.
Pick: Heat -6.5 (-108, FanDuel)
(10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Brooklyn had some promise early from a spread perspective.
The Nets posted a 16-4-1 ATS mark to start the season, but they have gone completely backwards since with a 3-15-1 record in their past 19 games.
The most recent loss for the Nets came as a five-point road favorite Wednesday – a 105-103 setback at Portland, marking their fourth straight loss overall. Two of the defeats came against the Trail Blazers, who are 2-0 against the Nets and 9-29 vs. the rest of the league.
Brooklyn continues its three-game West Coast swing in Los Angeles on Friday against the Lakers, who are showing signs of life after dropping 12 of 17 games since winning the NBA’s In-Season Tournament.
Los Angeles is fresh off consecutive home wins over Oklahoma City and Dallas to climb back to the .500 mark at 21-21. In Wednesday’s 127-110 victory over the Mavericks, the trio of LeBron James, Anthony Davis and D’Angelo Russell each topped the 25-point mark.
Since winning the In-Season Tournament, the Lakers are 2-8 ATS in the favorite role, which they are again Friday night.
The Nets have lost nine of their last 10 games away from Barclays Center, with the only win in this stretch coming against the dreadful Pistons in late December.
Brooklyn is in the midst of a 7-2 under run in its last nine contests, including six consecutive unders on the road.
The Nets have had plenty of problems scoring recently, while the Lakers have seen back-to-back unders on high totals at home and will again be without Cam Reddish and Gabe Vincent.
And you always have to worry about the Lakers resting either Anthony Davis or LeBron James (ankle, questionable) against bad opponents.
Let’s ride the under streak with the Nets and Lakers on Friday.
Pick: Under 227 points (-108, FanDuel)
