Filip Tomic
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I was really close to landing yesterday’s NBA mega parlay, but sadly the Lakers just couldn’t get over the hump and beat Denver. Friday is another day, though, and a new opportunity to make amends as a 6-game slate comes our way. I’m going for 3 money-line bets in tonight’s NBA mega parlay.
You can also find out our individual NBA picks for Friday’s biggest games.
Hornets ML (+700)
Kings ML (-112)
Pelicans ML (-108)
NBA parlay odds: +2816
Charlotte Hornets ML over Milwaukee Bucks (+700)
The Milwaukee Bucks are in serious trouble right now. They just got beat badly by the Minnesota Timberwolves last night (129-105) despite entering the game as only +1.5 underdogs. Damian Lillard missed yet another game and Giannis Antetokounmpo had a modest showing of just 17 points in 27 minutes. This team is still adjusting to life under new head coach Doc Rivers. Until the Bucks find any type of consistency, I’m not ready to back them.
Charlotte certainly isn’t a team you would expect to win this one at first glance, but after seeing the performances of Miles Bridges lately, I think it’s worth backing the Hornets at a massive +700 price. The Hornets have kept their last 2 games really close, losing to the Lakers and Raptors by just 6 points. They have won 4 of the last 10 meetings against the Bucks and are an impressive 9-4 ATS in the last 13 head-to-head. Milwaukee is just 10-17 ATS in home games this season. With the likes of Lillard and Khris Middleton both potentially not playing, let’s try our luck with a Charlotte win.
Sacramento Kings ML over Denver Nuggets (-112)
Denver is coming off an impressive win against the Lakers last night, but less than 24 hours later they head into Sacramento for a date with the Kings. And that’s the biggest reason why I have the Kings winning. It’s one thing to play a team like Charlotte or Chicago on a 2nd night of a back-to-back; playing Sacramento is a completely different animal. That’s especially the case since the Kings already have 1 win against the Nuggets this season. In a game played at Golden 1 Center in early December they came out on top 123-117.
De’Aaron Fox and company are 6-3 SU in their last 9 games; in 23 home games this season they have suffered just 9 defeats. In their last 9 games against Northwest Division teams they are 7-2 SU. The more I look into their recent records, the more I like their chances. Obviously beating the defending champions won’t be an easy task, but with no significant injuries on their roster and having the rest advantage on their side, I think the Kings could are rightfully the favorites in tonight’s game. They have connected on at least 15 threes in 3 straight games; it will be tough to defend them in tonight’s game.
New Orleans Pelicans ML over Los Angeles Lakers (-108)
Finally, to close out the parlay I have the New Orleans Pelicans — who are in LA for their 2nd straight game to face the Lakers. LeBron James and co. are on a 2nd night of a back-to-back. The 2 meetings so far this season were blowout wins for the home team each time, but I have a feeling things will be different on Friday. New Orleans has been on quite the run in the past 10 days or so, beating the likes of Houston, San Antonio, Toronto and the Clippers. Three of those wins were by double-digits; the fact that they didn’t have to travel in between games is also an advantage for them.
We also don’t know whether or not the Lakers will rest key players, which they’ve done in the past. In last night’s loss to Denver they had LeBron and Anthony Davis play 35 and 38 minutes. They would be smart to rest at least 1 of them in this scenario. In 8 games without rest, the Lakers have collected just 2 wins against the Spurs and Magic, while 4 of the 6 defeats were by double-digits. Following last night’s disappointment, I’m just not feeling LA. Let’s roll with the red-hot Pelicans, who are looking for their 5th win in a row.
Read our full New Orleans Pelicans vs Los Angeles Lakers predictions
