Can Sixers inch closer to avoiding play-in?
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The entire NBA is in action on the penultimate night of regular-season games Friday. Eight of the 15 games feature double-digit point spreads, but there are still many meaningful contests in each conference that could determine seeding.
Here are our four best bets.
Magic @ Sixers (-7.5, O/U 212)
This game will have massive seeding implications in the East. The Magic are currently the fifth seed and have a 1.5-game lead over the Sixers, the seventh seed. Philadelphia is one game back of the Pacers.
The Sixers want to escape the play-in tournament. They have to win out and need favorable results elsewhere to do so.
Philadelphia has won six straight and hasn't lost since Joel Embiid's return. He may not be completely healthy, but he's still dominating opponents.
The Magic have lost three of their last four and have players dealing with injuries, including Franz Wagner, who missed the past two games and is questionable against Philadelphia.
The Sixers are more talented and are desperate to close the season with two wins.
Pick: Sixers -7.5
Pelicans @ Warriors (-4.5, O/U 220)
This is a crucial game for the Warriors and Pelicans. New Orleans wants to avoid the play-in and remain the No. 6 seed, while Golden State will attempt to pass the Lakers and Kings in the standings.
The Pelicans earned a much-needed win over the Kings on Thursday night and then traveled to the Bay Area following the game.
The Warriors faced a mediocre Blazers team Thursday night and sat Draymond Green and Klay Thompson, who are expected to play versus the Pelicans. Two of the Warriors' key contributors will be fully rested.
Golden State is in playoff form, winning nine of its last 10 games.
Pick: Warriors -4.5
Bucks team total: Under 104.5 points
Giannis Antetokounmpo is out for the rest of the regular season, but the injury bug doesn't stop there for the Bucks. Damian Lillard is listed as doubtful against the Thunder due to adductor soreness.
Without Lillard and Antetokounmpo, the Bucks don't have any trustworthy offensive generators or shot-creators. Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez are also listed as questionable.
The Thunder have the NBA's fourth-best defense and are still competing for a top seed in the West. Oklahoma City won't take its foot off the gas as a 15-point favorite. It's hard to envision the injury-riddled Bucks breaking 100 points.
Odds: -120
Jusuf Nurkic: Over 15.5 rebounds and assists
Nurkic doesn't provide much to the scoring column for the Suns, but he does fill the stat sheet in other categories.
He's been a dominant rebounder over the last two months. He's also become a better passer, which has led to more assists in the past few weeks. He's averaging 21 combined rebounds and assists this month, and he's reached at least 16 in his last five games.
Odds: -130
Sam Oshtry is a sports betting writer at theScore. You can follow him on X @soshtry for more betting coverage.