NBA Friday betting picks, top odds & value plays – 25/2/2022

Many of the NBA teams who did not play on the first day back from the All Star break will be returning Friday night in what should be a dramatic night. With nine games scheduled, there is a lot to choose from. In what should be a great night of ball, here are the best bets for Friday night’s slate.

Toronto Raptors at Charlotte Hornets

In a battle between two playoff hopefuls in the East, this game has big ramifications for the postseason. The Raptors are the seventh seed and have bounced back well from a poor performance in last year’s season. With a resurgent Pascal Siakim and a Rookie of the Year candidate in Scottie Barnes, the Raptors are a dangerous team. They have what many consider as the best coach in the league in Nick Nurse and have a stout defense that can limit just about anyone. For a line this small, the Raptors are a good bet and should be able to kickstart their return from the All Star break.

The Hornets are currently the ninth seed in the East, and despite a good start, they need some wins to get to the playoffs. They will be without a couple of role players, and without Gordon Hayward they may have a tough time breaking down the daunting Raptors defense. Charlotte entered the break on a three-game skid, and those struggles should continue in this game.

Philadelphia 76ers at Minnesota Timberwolves

Everyone should be tuning into this game, because James Harden is expected to make his Philly debut. Even though the Sixers had the talent to win this game without him, he should give them a huge lift and the morale should be really high. MVP candidate Joel Embiid entered the All Star break staking his claim as the best player in the league, and he matches up really well against the Wolves’ big men. Philadelphia is currently the third seed in the East and is adding a former MVP in Harden. The Sixers should win this game easily.

The Wolves are a very fun team and have a lot of young talent. However, this game will be the second of a back-to-back, and their game against the Grizzlies should wear them down. Despite being at home, there is a big chance Minnesota comes out flat and goes down early. The Wolves are fighting for a playoff berth, and as the seventh seed, there is a sense of uneasiness that could motivate them. However, it won’t happen tonight, as the Sixers should have their way with Minnesota.

New Orleans Pelicans at Phoenix Suns

The Pelicans, after a terrible start, have been able to revive their season a little bit. While it is lofty to predict them to make the playoffs, they have shown some fight and are a better team than their record suggests. Although there are a multitude of questions about their best player, Zion Williamson, they have made aggressive moves to make their team better. Bringing in C.J. McCollum shows they want to win, and this will be a good game for the Pelicans to prove themselves as a playoff hopeful.

The Suns are probably the best team in the NBA. With a 48-10 record, they are completely legit and will expect to compete for the title. Unfortunately for them, Chris Paul will be out until the playoffs and it remains to be seen if they can compete without him. While it is completely possible they keep up their high level of play, this will be tough for them. Until they show they are still an elite team when Paul is out, it is wise to bet against them. Although the Suns should win, this game will be closer than the line at Bovada suggests.