Handicapping the NBA: Friday Picks

Handicapping the NBA: Friday Picks

This article is part of our NBA Picks series.

Alex Barutha

Jrue Holiday over 18.5 points (-115) at Pelicans -- FanDuel, 2:02 PM CT

Most notably, the Bucks will be without Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis due to protocols, while Khris Middleton is probable but still dealing with a knee injury. With Giannis and Portis off the court this season, Holiday is averaging 35.7 points on 22.4 shots. Being in New Orleans, this is also practically a home game for Holiday, who spent seven years playing for the Pelicans.

LeBron James to record a 30-10-10 triple-double (+670) at Timberwolves -- FanDuel, 2:07 PM CT

The Lakers are down THT, Westbrook, Dwight Howard and Avery Bradley. With that group off the floor, LeBron is averaging 30.8 points, 11.2 assists and 10.3 rebounds per 36 minutes. It's a small sample, but he'll need to run the show. If you're feeling lucky, you can tack on a Lakers win to the 30-10-10 line for +1027 odds.

2-Leg Parlay: Karl-Anthony Towns over 27.5 points + D'Angelo Russell over 6.5 assists (+256) -- FanDuel, 2:15 PM CT

Anthony Edwards and Taurean Prince are out. With those two off the court, Towns averages 37.1 points per 36 minutes while D'Angelo Russell averages 10.4 assists per 36 minutes.

Nick Whalen

Memphis Grizzlies -6.5 (-110) at Sacramento Kings -- DraftKings Sportsbook, 12:15 PM CT

This was already going to be an advantageous matchup for the Grizzlies, and that was before we learned that De'Aaron Fox had entered COVID-19 protocols. Richaun Holmes is also doubtful for this game, while a back injury may keep Tyrese Haliburton off the floor, as well. Memphis is, of course, still without Ja Morant, but they've played well in his absence and should have no problem handling what could very well be a Kings team missing three of its four best players.

RotoWire Community
Join Our Subscriber-Only NBA Chat
Chat with our writers and other RotoWire NBA fans for all the pre-game info and in-game banter.
Join The Discussion
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Alex Barutha
Alex is RotoWire's Chief NBA Editor. He writes articles about daily fantasy, year-long fantasy and sports betting. You can hear him on the RotoWire NBA Podcast, Sirius XM, VSiN and other platforms. He firmly believes Robert Covington is the most underrated fantasy player of the past decade.
Nick Whalen
Now in his 10th year with the company, Nick is RotoWire's Senior Media Analyst, a position he took on after several years as the Head of Basketball Content. A multi-time FSGA and FSWA award winner, Nick co-hosts RotoWire's flagship show on Sirius XM Fantasy alongside Jeff Erickson, as well as The RotoWire NBA Show on Sirius XM NBA with Alex Barutha. He also co-hosts RotoWire's Football and Basketball podcasts. You can catch Nick's NBA and NFL analysis on VSiN and DraftKings, as well as RotoWire's various social and video channels. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram @wha1en.
NBA DFS Picks: FanDuel Lineup Plays and Strategy for Saturday, December 28
NBA DFS Picks: FanDuel Lineup Plays and Strategy for Saturday, December 28
NBA DFS Picks: DraftKings Plays and Lineup Strategy for Saturday, December 28
NBA DFS Picks: DraftKings Plays and Lineup Strategy for Saturday, December 28
Best NBA Bets Today: Free Picks and Player Props for December 28
Best NBA Bets Today: Free Picks and Player Props for December 28
NBA DFS Picks: DraftKings Plays and Strategy for Friday, December 27
NBA DFS Picks: DraftKings Plays and Strategy for Friday, December 27
NBA Player Props and Picks Today: Bets for Friday, December 27
NBA Player Props and Picks Today: Bets for Friday, December 27
Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire: Dinwiddie, Grimes are Key Adds with Doncic Out
Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire: Dinwiddie, Grimes are Key Adds with Doncic Out