Ten NBA games on Friday, all of them NBA Cup group play, and a Game Pick on every one. Two get the full treatment: New York at Philadelphia, and the Lakers at Golden State.
How we pick NBA games right now: last season’s scoring margins, at half weight this early, plus home court, compared with the board. A lot of rosters changed this summer, so these are leans, and when a team looks very different from last season, we go with the board. Every pick lands on the receipts page win or lose.
Hornets at Wizards, 7:00 PM ET
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Charlotte beat Washington 110-103 on Monday. The Hornets are without Kon Knueppel and Coby White, and Dennis Schroder is questionable. Washington went 17-65 last season, and that drives a big gap here, so it stays a lean. Hornets.
Bulls at Celtics, 7:30 PM ET
Boston beat Chicago 134-99 on Monday, and the Bulls also lost 135-92 in Toronto. Chicago is 1-4 and without Nic Claxton. Last season’s numbers say take the points, but these Bulls look worse than last season’s team, so we go with the board here. Celtics.
Pistons at Nets, 7:30 PM ET
Detroit is 4-1, but Jalen Duren (hamstring) will be re-evaluated in two weeks. Brooklyn is 0-4, and Noah Clowney is questionable. Nets with the points.
Knicks at 76ers, 7:30 PM ET, Prime Video
Philadelphia won at the Garden on opening night, and Jaylen Brown is questionable. Full write-up: Knicks vs 76ers picks.
Magic at Raptors, 7:30 PM ET
Orlando is 1-3 and without Paolo Banchero for four to six weeks, and Jalen Suggs is out too. Toronto is 3-1 but without Kawhi Leonard for at least three weeks. Magic with the points.
Pacers at Heat, 8:00 PM ET
Miami is 1-4. Indiana is without Tyrese Haliburton and Ivica Zubac, but eight and a half is a lot for a 1-4 team to lay. Pacers with the points.
Rockets at Mavericks, 8:00 PM ET
Houston is 5-0, but Alperen Sengun (back) is questionable and Reed Sheppard is out. Dallas is 3-2 behind Cooper Flagg. Mavs with the points.
Clippers at Timberwolves, 8:00 PM ET
This is our Featured pick tonight. Anthony Edwards had knee surgery on Thursday and is out, and Minnesota is still laying seven and a half. The Clippers are 1-3 and missing Brandon Ingram and Max Strus, so this is about the points, not about LA. Clippers.
Lakers at Warriors, 10:00 PM ET, Prime Video
Golden State has won two straight on the road, and Luka Doncic sat out Wednesday. Full write-up: Lakers vs Warriors picks.
Nuggets at Suns, 10:00 PM ET
Phoenix is 1-2, and its win was 131-122 over Golden State. Denver is 2-2, and Cameron Johnson (ankle) is questionable. Our number has this about even. Suns with the points.
Lines as of Friday morning, after the morning injury report.
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Picks are opinion and analysis, not financial advice. Odds move; confirm at the book.