Ricky Dimon
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We have a 10-game slate in the NBA on Friday, highlighted by a double-header on ESPN. It begins with this showdown between the Boston Celtics and Chicago Bulls before the Los Angeles Lakers pay a visit to the Portland Trail Blazers. Let’s take a look at the best same game parlay option for Celtics-Bulls, and be sure to also check out our full game preview for picks on the side and total.
Celtics alternate spread -5.5 (-110)
Kemba Walker Over 5.5 assists (+118)
Brandon Ingram to score 25+ points (+136)
Parlay odds: +1002
Part of the value in same game parlays, of course, is that all of its components can be correlated if you so choose. That is some of the plan here, a productive performance by Kemba Walker would obviously go a long way toward a Boston win and cover. At the same time, plays that aren’t correlated drive up the overall payout of the parlay. That is the case with tipping Nikola Vucevic to score his fair share of points. But even if Vucevic does that, there is no reason why the Celtics can’t take care of business.
Celtics alternate spread -5.5 (-110)
At 35-31, the Celtics are tied for the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference with the Miami Heat, whom they face in the next two games following tonight’s clash with Chicago. Boston has won three of its last four and is coming off a 132-96 victory over Orlando despite not having second-leading scorer Jaylen Brown. Kemba Walker stepped up and scored 32 points to lead all scorers, while Jayson Tatum added 27 to maintain his outstanding form. With Brown out again for this one, such a performance should give the Celtics plenty of confidence to be successful again even though they are shorthanded. Boston has performed well in this head-to-head matchup, beating the Bulls 12 times in the last 15 meetings while covering the spread in eight of the last 10.
Kemba Walker Over 5.5 assists (+118)
During one stretch in late March and then April, Walker recorded at least six assists in eight straight games. An injury has halted some of his progress, but he should be back and business on Friday with a game under his belt. He returned on Wednesday against Orlando and dished out four assists in a modest 28 minutes of work. More playing time can be expected in this one, especially with Brown still sidelined. Brown’s absence also means more time with the ball in his hands for Walker. The Bulls just watched the Hornets assist on 28 of 39 baskets on Thursday. Tired legs on the second leg of a back-to-back situation should help Walker and company run circles around Chicago’s defense.
Nikola Vucevic to score 25+ points (+136)
These two teams have faced each other once since the Bulls acquired Vucevic from Orlando prior to the trade deadline. He promptly delivered 29 points even though it was an ugly, slow-paced contest that saw Chicago prevail 102-96. Vucevic went 13-for-23 from the field. He has scored at least 26 points in three of the last five outings and he has scored at least 24 in eight of the last 11. Zach LaVine is back from injury, but on the second leg of a back-to-back he will either sit out or be limited. Vucevic will have to shoulder the load for Chicago once again.
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