Eric Lindquist is here bringing you Friday’s edition of Lindy’s NBA Leans, Likes and Locks. We’re rolling through a small slate sandwiched between two massive ones, so let’s find the best NBA bets for today — game lines, odds and player props, all in one go. If you haven’t checked out our NBA +EV betting guide, use it on top of our other free NBA expert picks and +EV NBA bets!
Best NBA Bets Today: Player Props, Lines & Odds
Before we dive in, I have a little treat for you. You can snag 50% off my Tails subscription by using promo code LINDY50 at checkout!
Now, let’s talk basketball. Thursday was one of those nights where everything lined up perfectly … until it didn’t. Kyrie Irving? Out. We had a fantastic 10 points + rebounds + assists edge on his props, but it turned into a void. Sure, it wasn’t a loss, but man, when you have that much value, it stings a bit.
That said, there is no time to dwell on the past — let’s move on to tonight’s three-game NBA slate. And spoiler alert: It’s a dog day.
Charlotte Hornets vs. Philadelphia 76ers
We start in Philadelphia, where the Hornets are getting +9.5 points. The 76ers are in a strange spot right now, with Joel Embiid listed as questionable. While I saw a report suggesting he might sit this one out, there’s nothing definitive yet. If he’s out, this spread will become even more attractive for the Hornets.
On Charlotte’s side, Brandon Miller was scratched out of nowhere on Thursday, so keep an eye on the injury report. Assuming LaMelo Ball is good to go and both Mark Williams and Nick Richards are available to handle the interior, I like this spot for the Hornets. Even if Embiid plays, the 76ers are in shambles right now, and Charlotte catching nearly 10 points feels like a gift. I have this game closer to +7.5, so give me the Hornets and the points.
NBA Best Bet: Hornets +9.5 (LIKE)
Milwaukee Bucks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
Next up, the Bucks head to Cleveland as +8 underdogs, and this is another spot where I’m backing the dog. The Bucks are coming off their NBA Cup victory, and while Damian Lillard is already ruled out, Khris Middleton is ramping up his minutes after an illness kept him out of Tuesday’s game in Vegas. I have Middleton projected for north of 26 minutes tonight, which is a big boost for Milwaukee on both ends of the floor.
Even without Lillard, Milwaukee still has Giannis Antetokounmpo, and that’s enough for me to feel good about taking the points here. Middleton stepping into the starting lineup only strengthens this play. Keep an eye on his props too — something like 10-plus points and five-plus assists could be worth a look. But for now, the Bucks +8 is where I’m at.
NBA Best Bet: Bucks +8 (LIKE)
New to Portfolio EV? Dive into some of our resources to get you started — sign up today!
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Miami Heat
Finally, we head to Miami, where Oklahoma City is a -2 favorite on the second leg of a back-to-back. This game has rest spot written all over it for the Thunder. They played Tuesday, Thursday and now Friday, all against tough defensive teams. While there’s no news yet, I wouldn’t be surprised if someone like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander or Jalen Williams were to take a seat tonight.
If any key Thunder players rest, this line will swing quickly, so I’m jumping on the Heat at +2. Even if Oklahoma City is at full strength, Miami matches up well defensively and should keep this one close. As for props, there’s too much uncertainty right now to lock anything in, but I’m keeping an eye on Bam Adebayo and Jimmy Butler’s numbers as they ramp up their workloads.
NBA Best Bet: Heat +2 (LIKE)
