Atlanta Hawks @ Orlando Magic
Game# 535-536

Currently, the betting odds at Heritage is showing Orlando as a 9.0-point favorite in this NBA Southeast Division game.

This young Atlanta Hawks team has exhibited steady improvement as the 2018-2019 regular season has progressed. That’s especially been evident of late. Although Atlanta has gone just a mediocre 10-11 over their last 21 games, they were an extremely profitable 16-5 ATS while doing so.

Atlanta is coming off a 130-122 win over Philadelphia in their previous game, and they did so as a 4.0-point home underdog. Atlanta has gone a perfect 8-0 ATS this season following a home underdog straight up win. The Hawks are also an unscathed 8-0 ATS in their last 8 away games and won 4 of those contests straight up.

Orlando’s recent defensive play has left much to be desired. Specifically, throughout their previous 5 games, the Magic has allowed opponents to shoot a combined 48.6% and that includes 39.1% from 3-point territory. That’s concerning enough, let alone when facing an Atlanta team that’s averaged 121.0 points scored per game through its last 5 appearances. The Hawks have also made an eye catching 15 three-point shots per game during that time.
Pick: Atlanta Hawks +9.0

Detroit Pistons @ Oklahoma City Thunder
Game# 543-544

The present NBA odds at Bookmaker indicates that Detroit is an 8.5-point underdog.

Oklahoma City is an uninspiring 5-9 straight up and 3-11 ATS in their last 14 games as a favorite. However, they’re coming off a 119-103 home win over the Lakers in their previous outing. Unfortunately, the Thunder is a dismal 1-7 straight up and against-the-spread in their last 8 games following a win.

Detroit lost their last 2 games, and both came against Central Division rival Indiana. The most recent of which was a 108-89 defeat as a 2.5-point home favorite. The Pistons are 3-0 ATS in their last 3 and 5-1 ATS during its previous 6 games following 2 straight losses.

Any NBA team (Pistons) that’s coming off a division home favorite straight up loss, versus an opponent (Thunder) coming off a home win in which they scored 110 points or more, resulted in those teams going 38-18 (67.9%) straight up during the past 5 seasons. Considering this NBA straight up angle favors the underdog in today’s game, it takes on significantly more betting value.
Pick: Detroit Pistons +8.5

Portland Trailblazers @ Denver Nuggets
Game# 555-556

5Dimes is displaying Portland as a 6.5-point underdog in their Friday night game at Denver.

Denver is coming off a 113-85 home blowout win over San Antonio in their previous game. Nonetheless, the Nuggets have gone 0-3 SU&ATS in their last 3 outings following a win, and they lost by a substantial average of 22.7 points per contest.

Denver is 2-0 against Portland this season. Then again, those pair of victories came by only a collective 4 points.

Portland enters today having won 11 of their previous 13 games. The Trailblazers crushed Memphis 116-89 in their last contest. Portland is 12-2 ATS this season following a win by 12 points or more. Additionally, throughout the past 2 seasons, they’re 10-1 ATS following a game in which it allowed 90 points or fewer. By the way, Portland has given up less than 100 points in 4 of their last 5 outings.

Denver has been terrific at home this season. On the other hand, Portland’s recent defensive prowess makes them a very attractive when considering Friday’s NBA underdog picks.
Pick: Portland Trailblazers +6.5

Ross Benjamin is a top sports analyst and one of the sports industry's most respected handicappers. Follow him on Twitter: @RossBenjamin1 or visit his website at RBWins.com