NBA Friday best bets: Target two Knicks players

A 2-1 Thursday night brings our record to 5-5. Let's finish opening week strong with our best bets for a loaded slate.

Raptors @ Bulls -2.5

It's never good when players have a closed-door meeting without the coaches after one game, but that's what reportedly happened in Chicago Wednesday night.

While it was an ugly loss to the Thunder, it was just one game against a good opponent. The Bulls' stars DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine combined to shoot 8-of-36 from the field. When those guys are clicking, Chicago's offense can be dangerous.

The Raptors looked good on opening night, but their roster is full of inconsistent players. While Chicago's bench is questionable, its starting five is far superior to Toronto's. Expect the Bulls to take care of business at home.

Odds: Bulls -2.5 (-105, playable to -120)

Warriors +2.5 @ Kings

The Warriors dropped their season opener to the loaded Suns. However, Golden State looked solid in the four-point loss - particularly defensively - even though Draymond Green is unavailable. The Warriors shot 23% from three, an unusually low number for a team trotting out the best backcourt shooting duo in NBA history.

Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson combined to shoot 7-of-25 from three. Their new backcourt partner, Chris Paul, went 0-of-6. There's not going to be a ton of games this season where those three shoot 22.5% from distance.

As we saw in last year's seven-game first-round series, the Warriors' matchup against the Kings is favorable. Even without Green for a second consecutive game, Kevon Looney can create problems for Kings big Domantas Sabonis, and the Warriors' defense had success blowing up Sacramento's patented dribble hand-off.

Despite heading into Sacramento as underdogs, the Warriors are the more talented group and will earn their first win on Friday night.

Odds: Warriors +2.5 (-110, playable to -120)

Mitchell Robinson over 7.5 rebounds

Mitchell Robinson III averaged 9.4 rebounds last year and 8.6 the year before. But he only collected six in the Knicks opener because he only played 22 minutes and dealt with foul trouble: Robinson picked up his fourth foul a minute into the third quarter against Boston.

Robinson's main responsibility for the Knicks is to rebound. He's a big reason why New York was one of the best teams in the league in offensive rebounding last year.

He has a tough matchup against Clint Capela, who was second in the league in that category last season behind Robinson. It'll be a battle of the boards in Atlanta, but 7.5 is too low - assuming Robinson stays out of foul trouble and sees his normal playing time.

Odds: -130 (playable to -150)

Brunson over 28.5 Points and assists

Two Knicks props in one night? It's New York fans' lucky day. Jalen Brunson's 15-point, 6-of-21 performance against Boston Wednesday night was an anomaly, not the norm. Brunson's efficiency and scoring prowess dragged the Knicks to a second-round appearance last season.

It's rare Brunson has an off-night like he did in the season opener. He's as calm, cool, and collected as any star in the NBA. Few players are as reliable at bouncing back after a bad game.

He also has a much easier matchup on Friday night. Jrue Holiday is considered one of the best perimeter defenders in the NBA, and he gave Brunson fits. Trae Young, however, is equivalent to a cone.

The Knicks' most important player will get back to his playmaking and scoring duties against the Hawks.

Odds: -125 (playable to -140)

Sam Oshtry is a sports betting writer at theScore. You can follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @soshtry for more betting coverage.