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The Emirates NBA Cup returns this Friday with 12 more games, including a ESPN double-header tipping off at 7.30 pm ET. I’ve gone in-depth with all 12 games and come up with my 3 best bets for Friday’s action, compiled below in a 3-game NBA Mega Parlay. Let’s dive in, and don’t forget to check out our NBA Picks page for predictions on the side and total for the rest of Friday’s games.
LA Clippers ML (+156)
DEN Nuggets -6 (-110)
MEM Grizzlies +8 (-110)
NBA Parlay odds: +840
LA Clippers ML vs HOU Rockets (+156)
We start off the Parlay in Houston where the Rockets host the LA Clippers, a team they just beat 2 days ago in the same building. So why back the Clippers here? Well, more often than not, two teams usually split these home and home series when they happen. Not much separated the two teams on Wednesday, Houston dominated the rebounding battle and that’s why they were able to get the victory.
I’m expecting a lot better effort by the Clippers in that department in tonight’s game, plus a bounce back performance from leading scorer Norman Powell who went just 5-for-18 on Wednesday. LA is 9-2 SU in the last 11 meetings vs the Rockets and 4-1 SU in their last 5 visits to Houston. In those 11 meetings they’re averaging 5.4 points per game more, so you could say Wednesday’s game was an outlier of sorts. I’ll take my chances by backing the Clippers to come out on top here.
DEN Nuggets -6 vs NO Pelicans (-110)
Nikola Jokic is having one hell of a start to a season, even by his standards. The Serbian center is averaging 29.7 points, 13.7 rebounds and 11.7 assists per game, those are better numbers than what he averaged in his MVP seasons. Only once in the month of November did he fail to record a triple double so far, you’d think that trend would continue against a Pelicans team that has very little inside presence right now. New Orleans allows 54.3 points per game inside the paint, only 2 other teams are worse than them at the moment.
Jose Alvarado, Zion Williamson, Jordan Hawkins, Herbert Jones and C.J. McCollum are all out for the Pels here. Anything other than a Nuggets clear victory here would be a major upset. Denver is 9-4 SU in 13 meetings, they’ve also covered the spread in 4 of 6 games lately. New Orleans is 0-6 ATS/SU in their last 6, they haven’t covered the spread in their last 9 games vs Western Conference opponent. Until they get at least a couple of players off that injury report, I wouldn’t touch the Pels.
Check out our full Denver Nuggets vs New Orleans Pelicans Predictions
MEM Grizzlies +8 vs GS Warriors (-110)
Injuries have also derailed the Memphis Grizzlies this season, hence why they are such big underdogs here. But, I don’t believe there is that big of a difference in talent here. As we saw in the loss to the Lakers, Memphis was able to stay around until the very end when the Lakers sealed the deal in the clutch. The Grizz have sped things up significantly on offense in the 3 games Ja Morant hasn’t played, averaging 128.3 points. Golden State is also in a good groove, especially Stephen Curry who is aging like fine wine. He just ruined Klay’s homecoming with 37 points, carrying the Warriors to their 9th win in 11 games.
What is particularly impressive this season is the fact that Curry is doing all this while averaging less than 30 mins per game. Golden State is taking a chance on the younger player and so far the results have paid off. However, the Grizzlies have been a tough nut to crack. They’ve covered the spread in 6 of 7 games, posting the highest Net Rating in the NBA at +15.6 points during that stretch. With them also covering in 12 of the last 18 meetings vs the Warriors, I think backing them as 8 point dogs is a really solid bet here.