NBA predictions and picks: Stay away from struggling Nets, Nuggets

We’ve already seen some shocking outcomes via the primary three days of the NBA season: the Nets had been blown out at dwelling of their season opener, whereas the Suns erased a 22-point deficit to exorcise their demons in opposition to the Mavericks in an early Sport of the 12 months candidate.

We possible received’t see that a lot intrigue on Friday evening, however there’s nonetheless loads of worth on the board. Listed here are a couple of of our favourite bets to focus on at BetMGM:

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NBA Friday odds, picks, and predictions (through BetMGM)

  • Raptors +2.5 @ Nets
  • Warriors -5.5 vs. Nuggets
  • Path Blazers +4.5 vs. Suns

Nets vs. Raptors prediction and evaluation

It’s arduous to not be involved concerning the Nets after what we noticed in Wednesday’s season opener – particularly approaching the heels of one of the vital disastrous offseasons we’ve seen from a title contender in current reminiscence.

Ben Simmons swipes at Zion Williamson
Ben Simmons swipes at Zion Williamson
Getty Photographs

Brooklyn turned simply the seventh group this decade and the primary in six years to lose its season opener by not less than 20 factors as a house favourite. The final two groups (2015 Bucks, 2016 Warriors) each misplaced in opposition to the unfold of their subsequent contest, and I wouldn’t be shocked to see the identical from the Nets, who look utterly disjointed outdoors of Kevin Durant.

Conversely, the Raptors had been spectacular of their season-opening win over the Cavaliers, with all 5 starters scoring not less than 15 factors in a balanced effort. That’s the antithesis of what to anticipate from Brooklyn, and I simply don’t have sufficient confidence within the early-season variations of Kyrie Irving or Ben Simmons to put the factors right here.

Nets vs. Raptors decide

Raptors +2.5 @ Nets (BetMGM)

Warriors vs. Nuggets prediction and evaluation

Is it too early to fret concerning the Nuggets? This was alleged to be the 12 months we lastly noticed the title-worthy ceiling from this group, which had solely loved a couple of video games with Nikola Jokic, Aaron Gordon, Jamal Murray, and Michael Porter Jr. all sharing the court docket without delay.

How’d that end up? Denver’s long-awaited season debut ended with a thud in opposition to the Jazz, who had their method with the Nuggets’ protection from deep (16-of-38) and held them to simply 5-of-22 from lengthy vary on the opposite aspect. That was already a priority for this group, which has subpar spacing even when Murray and Porter are cooking.

That’s particularly worrisome in opposition to the Warriors, who can famously warmth up in a rush and have the final word “Jokic stopper” in Draymond Inexperienced, who pissed off the two-time reigning MVP in final 12 months’s playoff matchup. Golden State seems to be prefer it hasn’t skipped a beat since its title run final 12 months, and it ought to maintain enterprise right here.

Warriors vs. Nuggets decide

Warriors -5.5 vs. Nuggets

Nikola Jokic
Nikola Jokic
Getty Photographs

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Path Blazers vs. Suns prediction and evaluation

The Suns deserve a ton of credit score for rallying again from a 22-point deficit in Wednesday’s season-opening win over the Mavericks. But it surely’s not less than just a little bit regarding that this group fell that far behind within the first place.

Phoenix slogged via a messy offseason that included its proprietor getting suspended, its star heart signing elsewhere in free company earlier than reluctantly returning to the valley, and the group shedding outright to a mediocre Australian group in a preseason exhibition. Frankly, it’s much more shocking that the Suns got here again than it's that they got here out so flat to open the season.

Now they’ll should muster sufficient vitality to win on the street in opposition to the new-look Blazers, who handed their first take a look at with Wednesday’s street win over the Kings. Three of the final 5 groups to beat a deficit of not less than 20 factors had been blown out of their following contest, and Phoenix feels primed for a letdown on this one.

Suns vs. Path Blazers decide

Path Blazers +4.5 vs. Suns

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