Friday Focus: NBA Action Takes Center Stage

Welcome to a lighter but no less thrilling Friday in the world of sports. While college basketball takes a backseat today, the NBA is in full swing with a packed lineup that promises excitement and opportunities. We’re also continuing our journey to refine our NHL algorithm, bringing you the best insights for tonight’s three games. Stay tuned as we navigate through this diverse sports landscape, offering you the top picks and analysis for a winning end to your week.

NCAAM Plays

Oakland @ Eastern Michigan

Pick: Eastern Michigan +5 / Wager: 4% Bankroll

Leading the charge for the Eagles is the sensational Tyson Acuff, a dynamo on the court. This guy isn’t just playing; he’s rewriting the playbook with an average of 22.8 points per game, ranking him sixth nationwide. But wait, it gets better – over his last five games, he’s been on fire, averaging 26.8 points and shooting with a precision that’s off the charts at 52.3 percent.

Oakland, on the other hand, is reeling from a nail-biter against Toledo just this Wednesday. Meanwhile, Eastern Michigan has been laser-focused, strategizing for this very moment for a whole week. Remember last season’s thriller where Oakland narrowly edged out with a 92-90 victory? We’re buckling up for another edge-of-your-seat encounter. Eastern Michigan, with Acuff at the helm, is poised to not just compete but to turn the tables. This is more than a game; it’s a statement. Eastern Michigan +5? That’s where the smart money is.

St. Peter’s @ Duquense

Pick: Over 130.5 / Wager: 4% Bankroll

This play is simply becoming tried and true for us and hitting at a 60% rate when we have greater then a 4 point delta between the average projections across the trusted pay sites we access (so that you don’t have to pay). We’ve got this game getting over 135 points.

NBA Plays

Pistons @ Magic

Pick: Magic -10.5 / Wager: 3% Bankroll

Wizards @ Nets

Pick: Nets -9.5 / Wager: 3% Bankroll

Pick: Mikal Bridges over 2.5 3 pointers @ +136 odds / Wager: 1% Bankroll

We, here at BrownBagBets believe in a simple principle, if it ain’t broke don’t fix it. We fade the Wizars, it’s pretty simple. Helps that the Nets are super strong ATS too.

Maybe we found a diamond in the rough tonight or maybe it’s a miss. But 1% of bankroll on a +136 play where we are behind a guy who has shown the capability of making 3+ 3 pointers in a game feels like super value. For the nerds out there we give this one a 13% edge when you take the likelihood up against the odds. Great value.

Hawks @ Sixers

Pick: Sixers -8.5 / Wager: 2% Bankroll

Pick: Tyrese Maxey over 25.5 points / Wager: 2% Bankroll

The Philly folks know this all too well. . The “goodbye” to James Harden paved a very clear path for Maxey to finally assume the role that was rightfully his all along. The guy averages almost 27 points per game. Feels like a good bet based on that. We’ve got the sixers at home here, Maxey perhaps eclipsing 30 (if we have our way), a rested Philadelphia team, and a line that opened at 6.5 and is moving quickly up over 10. Feels like solid plays here.

Warriors @ Thunder

Pick: Thunder ML / Wager: 2% Bankroll

OKC is the best ATS team at home this year. So we buy it down in a tough matchup to get better edge on this one.

Pick: Over 236.5 / Wager: 2% Bankroll

7 of the last 7 times these 2 have played the over was a win.

Pick: Steph Curry over 4.5 3 pointers / Wager: 3% Bankroll

This one is another “edge” of over 10%. Thinking Curry might get to over 6 - 3’s. Love this play tonight.

Timberwolves @ Grizzlies

Pick: Rudy Gobert over 13.5 points / Wager: 3% Bankroll

Pick: Mike Conley over

This prop has been hit 4 straight games in a row. So we ride the wave in hopes that the line makers haven’t figured it out yet.

Kings @ Suns

Pick: Domantas Sabonis under 12.5 rebounds / Wager 2% bankroll

We’ve got this number coming in at 9-10. Really not projecting many outcomes above 12. So we feel good about this one tonight.

NHL Plays

Wild @ Oilers

Pick: Over 6.5 goals / Wager: 3% Bankroll

The Oilers have displayed strong offensive capabilities, and despite Minnesota's solid defensive stats, Edmonton's recent performance against teams with similar defensive metrics suggests they can score effectively. Our predictions lean towards the Oilers winning in regulation​​. The Oilers' recent high-scoring home games and the trend of overs in their games further support a high-scoring expectation​, and this is the one we have decent confidence in.