NBA Best Bets Today: Plays and analysis for Friday, January 6th

Joel Embiid is out injured for the 76ers. The team won without him on Wednesday. They are a better team without Embid. Without Embigid, they are slightly quicker, worse defensively and guard oriented. They started three guards with PJ Tucker at center against Indiana. Nikola Vucevic will contribute more on the offensive glass. DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine will have lesser defenders to go after on defense. James Harden and Tyrese Maxey will also have some lesser defensive defenders.

Indiana extended its ATS run to five straight with the overtime loss to Philadelphia on Wednesday night. Portland's Jerami Grant is questionable to play for the team with a quad contusion. Toronto fell to 5-13 SU/6-12 ATC after losing to Milwaukee on Tuesday night and is struggling on both ends of the floor.

Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson are out for New Orleans. Brooklyn is 6.5-point favorite against New York Pelicans. Khris Middleton is out, but he's the only injury of note for Milwaukee. The Hornets will be without Gordon Hayward for a second consecutive game. Devin Vassell is injured for San Antonio. Detroit is 3-3 SU and ATS in its last 6 games. Darius Garland is questionable to play. He hasn't played since Dec. 29. Donovan Mitchell is going to rest. It's surprising to see the total as high as 236 consensus. I would look for cheaper numbers on the big favorite.