NBA Friday: O'Sullivan picks Raptors at Celtics, Pelicans at Bulls, Spurs at Nuggets, plus a home dog parlay
All right, delivered a couple of wins to get our bankroll moving in the right direction. Let’s build on that going into this weekend…
Seattle O’Sullivan 2021-2022 NBA Season so far: 8-7, -$35.63
“Home Dog Parlay”: Cleveland +3 (-114)/Orlando +8 (-112)/Sacramento +6.5 (-110) - parlay price +578, bet $2 to win $11.57
Three teams that are feisty at home. Cleveland plays a Charlotte team coming off a tight victory, Orlando’s getting eight against a New York Knicks team just off a double-overtime drama, and Sacramento may be less dysfunctional than I thought. We’ll put down just a little cash for fun and, hopefully, get ourselves a nice taste.
Toronto Raptors at Boston Celtics, 7:30 pm Eastern
The Pick: Boston -250, bet $18.80 to win $7.52; Boston -6.5 (-110), bet $5.50 to win $5
The Celtics return to Boston tonight for their home opener after a valiant battle in New York on Wednesday. Losing in double-overtime to the Knicks, the Celtics showed a lot of heart, fighting back from down late in the fourth quarter to push the game into extra frames. Guard Jaylen Brown had 46 points on 16/30 shooting. The Celtics, with a sharp new coach in Ime Udoka, will be a tough out for anybody. Toronto, on the other hand, dropped its home opener to the Washington Wizards by 15. The Raptors have a lot of new faces and won’t have things cohesive quite yet. Boston will want to take care of the business they let slip away earlier in the week. Moneyline dinner, cover dessert.
New Orleans Pelicans at Chicago Bulls, 8 pm Eastern
The Pick: New Orleans +6.5 (-114), bet $17.10 to win $15; New Orleans +210, bet $3.38 to win $7.10
I know New Orleans lost for me with a value pick on Wednesday, but they were tied with a much better Philadelphia team at halftime, before admittedly fading down the stretch. Meanwhile, Chicago had to fend off Detroit, who might be the worst team in the league. This is another value pick, and I’m using a little psychology here. Pelicans star Zion Williamson is out with a broken foot, and while I think he’s their best player, I also think it’s in forward Brandon Ingram and the rest of the team to perhaps work to prove they’re not just supporting players. I think Chicago’s overrated, and I’ll take the points and the value here.
San Antonio Spurs at Denver Nuggets, 9 pm Eastern
The Pick: Denver -305, bet $22.50 to win $7.43; Denver -7.5 (-110), bet $5.50 to win $5
Denver made a huge statement on Wednesday, beating the NBA Finalist Phoenix Suns by 12 in their own gym. The Nuggets looked like they didn’t miss injured guard Jamal Murray one whit. That’s ridiculous, of course; Murray is vital to Denver’s success. But I was impressed that Denver played unafraid and in fact took it right to Phoenix in the second half. Again, we’re way too early in the season to use statistics more than feel, so my feeling is the Nuggets, in their home opener, will use that motivation and the natural advantage playing in the high altitude of Denver, will continue to make the statement that just because their star guard is hurt doesn’t mean they’re going away.