NBA Best Bets Today | Expert Picks for Friday, Feb. 9
The NBA regular season continues with a solid 6-game slate today -- with just one nationally televised matchup headlining the evening as Pelicans vs Lakers takes center stage on NBA TV. However, we've still got you covered with three best bets for tonight's action.
Let's dive into our NBA best bets and expert picks for Friday, February 9. You can also check out our NBA odds.
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NBA Best Bets | Expert Picks for Friday, Feb. 9
Hawks vs 76ers
The 76ers have played six of their last seven games in the absence of Joel Embiid, and the results have not been pleasant as Philly owns a record of 1-6 in their last seven contests, with five of those losses coming by wide margins of 10-plus points.
Well, Embiid officially opted to receive surgery on his injured knee earlier this week, sidelining the reigning MVP for the foreseeable future – and while in the grand scheme of things, Embiid’s extended absence is terrible news for Philly, the prop market should inevitably open up for a Sixers team that typically dedicates a 39% usage rate to their All-Pro center.
With that in mind, Tyrese Maxey is on a little bit of a cold streak for Philly at the moment. He’s scored 23 points or less on a FG percentage south of 38% in three straight games. However, prior to his latest three-game stretch, Maxey scored 25+ points in 7-of-11 contests, and most of those performances came with Embiid in the lineup.
So, with Embiid sidelined until further notice, there should be plenty of extra shots to go around for the Sixers – and there’s no debate about who’s the No. 2 scoring option for Philly.
Granted, Maxey’s numbers have actually seen a downtick in the aftermath of Embiid’s latest injury as the Sixers continue to lean on him now more than ever. So far though, that notion certainly hasn’t been reflected on the stat sheet. But I’m going to back Maxey to bounce back in a big way tonight against a Hawks squad that ranks 3rd in pace and 28th in defensive rating.
Pick: Tyrese Maxey to Score 30+ Points (+115)
Hornets vs Bucks
As bad as the Hornets are, the Bucks are in no position to lay this many points to them. Milwaukee is 1-5 SU and 1-5 ATS in its last six games. The Bucks carry a high fatigue rating, have key injuries and Doc Rivers has been a near-disaster so far as the Bucks' coach.
This is the Bucks' fifth game in seven days and second in two days after they were buried, 129-105, by the Timberwolves at home last night. Damian Lillard and Khris Middleton, the Bucks' second and third-best players, missed that game because of ankle injuries.
The Hornets have lost nine in a row, although they've covered in their last two games. Charlotte also has injuries, but have Cody Martin back.
Clearly, though, my handicap is a fade on the Bucks, who have failed to cover 17 of 21 times against sub .500 opponents this season.
For more daily expert predictions, check out our NBA Free Picks page!
Rockets vs Raptors
VegasInsider NBA betting expert ASA has been red hot to start 2024! ASA is 12-5 in his last 17 NBA picks -- returning a profit of +640. Click here to purchase his top play for Rockets vs Raptors today.
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