The 2022 NBA season is just three days old, and we already can't wait for the next batch of games to tip off. With an exciting first weekend ahead of us, lots of betting value can be found on Caesars Sportsbook if you want to up your level of engagement a step further with some wagers. Today we will discuss our favorite NBA bets on the moneyline, against the spread, on the over/unders, and in the player prop market for the season's first Friday night slate.
Let's dive right in, and make some cash while we enjoy a fantastic 11-game slate of Friday night action!
All odds are from Caesars Sportsbook.
Best bets for NBA Friday night: Against the Spread
Best bet among favorites: Grizzlies (-7) at Rockets, 8:10 p.m. ET
Ja Morant and the Grizzlies won an opening-night squeaker over the Knicks, and we have to imagine they will have tightened up their game by this evening against the young, upstart Rockets. Houston features a lot of talent, but it lacks discipline and will take a while to establish its true identity on either side of the floor. Taylor Jenkins' Memphis team won the second-most games in the NBA last season because it followed game plans to a tee and took advantage of less-prepared, less-focused, and oftentimes slower squads. Seven points might be the Grizz's halftime advantage — their win will be by closer to 20.
Top bet among underdogs: Nuggets (+5) at Warriors, 10:10 p.m. ET
In a rematch of the opening-round of the 2022 Western Conference Playoffs, reigning two-time MVP Nikola Jokic heads out to San Francisco to take on Finals MVP Steph Curry and the freshly-ringed Warriors. Denver got a lot better since these squads last met, adding a handful of capable perimeter shooters and getting franchise No. 2 and 3 scorers Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. back from respective knee and back injuries. With respect to Draymond Green and James Wiseman, Golden State still doesn't have anyone who can stop Jokic — and the Warriors will have their hands a lot more full than they did on Opening Night against the hapless Lakers. The Splash Brothers may win, but I don't think it will be by a margin of six or more.
Best bets for NBA Friday night: Moneyline
Best bet among favorites: Pacers (-125) over Spurs, 7:10 p.m. ET
The high-profile teams always take on the most action — but the higher the moneyline/spread and more notable the favorite, the more volatile the bet. Sometimes the best play is to pick a game with a tight line not garnering a ton of attention from fair-weather fans or novice bettors, and picking the better team in the matchup. In this case, we love the Pacers at home against a very young, sloppy Spurs team. Sure, Indy can be sloppy at times, too, but young playmakers Tyrese Haliburton and Bennedict Mathurin have this squad looking much more promising than most will give it credit for this season. The Pacers dropped Game 1 to the Wizards, but San Antonio got absolutely demolished by the Hornets without Charlotte's two leading scorers from 2021. Go with Indiana over Pop and the tanking Spurs.
Top bet among underdogs: Bulls (+115) over Wizards, 7:10 p.m. ET
Nobody ever seems to give DeMar DeRozan any respect — the man just keeps stepping up in the clutch over and over, and even the sportsbooks count the Bulls out seemingly every tight matchup. Chicago enjoyed a great preseason and upset the Heat on Wednesday, so I don't quite know why the Wizards are two-point favorites and -135 on the moneyline here. Sure, the Wiz got better in the offseason, and a full season with Kristaps Porzingis (if that's even a possibility given his injury issues) should be a fun watch. But Washington still sucks at perimeter defense, and Chicago still has the most underrated clutch scorer in the league. Give us the Chi for the small upset!
Best bets for NBA Friday night: Over/under
Best OVER: Blazers vs. Suns (224, -110), 10:10 p.m. ET
It's great to see Damian Lillard back in action, but Portland still reeks on the defensive end. Devin Booker and the run-it-back Suns should have no trouble scoring in bunches against the Blazers, who put up 115 in their opening-night win over Sacramento. With plenty of star power and a little rust shaken off, I like our chances of seeing these 1-0 teams put on a Friday evening show.
Best UNDER: Timberwolves vs. Jazz (226, -110), 8:10 p.m. ET
Rudy Gobert taking on his old team at home in Minnesota? Oh yes, sign me up. The Jazz looked remarkably good in an opening-night upset over Nikola Jokic and the Nugs, but this Minnesota team has the best defensive center in hoops and he'll be motivated in this one.
Best bets for NBA Friday night: Player props
Best player prop minus-odds: Celtics at Heat — Jayson Tatum OVER 7.5 rebounds (-106), 7:40 p.m. ET
With Robert Williams set to miss 1-2 months (knee), and Al Horford looking older by the game, Jayson Tatum will have to continue stepping up in more ways than just offensively this season. He finished with 12 boards on top of his 35 points in an opening-night stunner over the 76ers, and we're betting he easily crushes the OVER on 7.5 boards this evening against the Heat.
Best player prop plus-odds: Nets vs. Raptors — Kevin Durant double-double (+219), 7:40 p.m. ET
The Nets got embarrassed in their 130-108 opening-night loss to the Pelicans, and now do battle with familiar foe Toronto at home in Brooklyn. Expect KD to get up for this one, and hit the boards more than usual against a big Raptors front court. The potential payout is quite enticing in this one — just don't bet the farm on it!
