NBA Best Bets: Predictions to Consider on DraftKings Sportsbook for August 7

The NBA is back in full swing and Friday brings us a six-game betting card, spaced out throughout the afternoon and evening. Here’s what stands out to me on DraftKings Sportsbook on Thursday.

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Set your lineups here: NBA $500K Friday Shootaround [$100K to 1st]

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Memphis Grizzlies: OKC -5 (-110)

You can make the argument to just purely fade the Grizzlies at this point, but the fact this is a matchup against the Thunder makes it an easy call as the strongest spot of the day. The Grizzlies are free falling in the west, at not only 0-4 straight-up in the bubble, but 0-4 ATS. The loss of Jaren Jackson Jr. (knee) is another massive blow to Memphis, which had been struggling without him prior to the shutdown. The Thunder are 2-1 SU and ATS in the bubble, picking up right where they left off as the NBA’s top ATS team at 42-25. OKC is battling for seeding in the west, and while Memphis might be a bit more desperate, that’s also been the case in all four of their bubble losses.

Sacramento Kings vs. Brooklyn Nets/Washington Wizards vs. New Orleans Pelicans: SAC/NOP ML Parlay (-106)

Editor’s note: Pelicans PF/C Zion Williamson (rest) will not play Friday vs. Wizards

The Kings and Pelicans feel like the two teams playing later in the day that have the best chances to win outright. Sacramento is a tough team to trust, but still has something to play for; while the Nets seem content with finishing the season however it may go — which can also be dangerous, as we saw in their win over the Bucks. The Nets also have some key names listed as questionable, which, so far, has basically meant out given their lack of urgency to win games. I’ll take the more desperate team in this situation, which also applies to the Pelicans. New Orleans needs a win to stay in contention and Washington might be the least motivated team in the bubble. The Wizards are yet to get a win and are essentially just playing out the season with no hope. Both teams are laying a few too many points for me, but I expect both to win outright.

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Boston Celtics vs. Toronto Raptors: UNDER 220 (-109)

I was hoping this one opened a little higher, but after starting around 218, this one’s getting bet up. At 220 or higher, I think we can justify an under play here. The Raptors are 3-0 to the under in the bubble, holding their opponents to an average of 98.0 points per game. Boston’s struggled defensively, but it’s now a point of emphasis for the Celtics moving forward. They should be locked in for the primetime game against one of their top roadblocks in the east. These teams have met three times already, with the highest of those totals reaching 220 — the other two finished 218 and 212.

Set your lineups here: NBA $500K Friday Shootaround [$100K to 1st]

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I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is jedlow) and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.

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