‘Buckets’ Best NBA Bets Tonight | Expert Picks, Predictions for Friday (Jan. 12)

The NBA has 10 games on its Friday night slate with plenty of betting action to be found. Our analysts Matt Moore and Sean Little from the BUCKETS podcast break down their picks for Trail Blazers vs. Timberwolves, Magic vs. Heat, Hornets vs. Spurs and Raptors vs. Jazz.

You can listen to today's podcast and read their selections below, with NBA picks and predictions for Friday, Jan. 12.

By Matt Moore

This is primarily a Trail Blazers cap. It has become very apparent to me that the Blazers have put a wrap on the season essentially. They are getting destroyed by everybody and it is where they are at in the season.

The Wolves after a loss are 9-1 straight-up and 6-4 against the spread. They are happy to be back home after a long road trip. Although it is their third game in four days, their home court is elite. I have them 17 points better than Portland on an average home court.

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By Matt Moore

I have this power rated with Heat -1 to a pick'em, so that gives me about two points of buffer. The Magic do a good job in halfcourt games because they don't play at a high pace and can't get run off the floor. The Heat don't necessarily play fast and don't shoot too many threes, which favors the Magic.

When the Magic have an offensive rebound advantage, they are 13-12 straight-up and 16-9 against the spread.

Off of a loss, the Magic are 7-8 straight-up and 10-5 against the spread.

The Heat have no Jimmy Butler and this is the battle for the state of Florida. I will take the Magic with the points.

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By Sean Little

Don't look now but the Spurs are playing better ball of late. They are 4-1 against the spread in their last five games. They are No. 1 in turnover percentage over that stretch and are coming off a big win over the Pistons where Victor Wembanyama picked up his first triple-double of his career.

Let's talk about the Hornets. While being decimated by injuries, they have been horrible of late. They are terrible on both offense and defense. LaMelo Ball was recently upgraded to questionable for this one, but I won't be spooked if he does play. They are down Gordon Hayward, PJ Washington and Mark Williams as well.

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By Matt Moore

I have the Jazz rated as significant favorites over the Raptors. They are coming to the end of the road trip and have to travel to altitude, which is not what you want to do. The market has not caught up to where Utah is.

They are 8-2 straight-up over their last 10 games. They have played phenomenal basketball and they are terrific at home. Utah and Toronto are in the same tier so I expect the Jazz to handle business against a team that is nearly equal talent-wise.

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