NBA Friday best bets: Pelicans to keep surging vs. Spurs
After three straight winning weeks on our best bets, it hasn't been the smoothest week of the season. Let's end on a high note with Friday's best bets.
Pelicans team total: Over 124.5 points
The Pelicans are creeping up the West standings as they finally get healthy. CJ McCollum is back in the lineup, and Trey Murphy is expected to make his season debut Friday night against the Spurs.
Although Larry Nance Jr. is out for the next few weeks, New Orleans' core is back together. Zion Williamson is also playing some of the best basketball of his career as a dominant downhill driver, finisher, and passer.
The Pelicans are 12.5-point favorites. In their last four wins, the Pelicans averaged 121.5 points per game. The Spurs, however, have the NBA's fourth-worst defensive rating.
Odds: -120 (playable to -130)
Grizzlies @ Mavericks (-9.5, O/U 230)
The Grizzlies aren't just one of the worst teams in the NBA - at 6-11 against the spread, they're also the second-worst cover team. Fading Memphis has been a profitable strategy this season. Tonight should be no different.
The Mavericks have the league's fourth-best offensive rating, while the Grizzlies rank second to last. Memphis simply can't keep up with Dallas' scoring, which will lead to a blowout win for the Mavs.
Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic have been a dominant duo, but they aren't getting much help from their teammates. They've combined for 80% of the starters' total points over the last five games. If they start getting help from role players, this will get ugly early for the road team.
Pick: Mavs -9.5
Jrue Holiday: Under 15.5 points
Holiday's role doesn't require him to be a prolific scorer for the Celtics. He's served more as a defensive presence and a game-manager on the offensive end who can contribute as a scorer when needed.
He's the team's fifth-leading scorer, averaging 12.4 points per game. Holiday scored over 15 points just once in his last 11 games. Even with Kristaps Porzingis out the last few games, Holiday has failed to reach this number.
The Sixers are solid defensively. They let their opponents get to the free-throw line at a high rate, but Holiday shoots less than two free throws per game, so that won't benefit him.
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.