Friday features a packed nine-game NBA Cup slate, with the action starting in Orlando and Indianapolis before wrapping up with Thunder vs. Clippers in Inglewood.
Our NBA predictions highlight the featured picks from Covers analysts across the slate.
See more expert betting angles in our free NBA picks for Nov. 13.
NBA top picks at a glance (Friday, Nov. 13)
| Matchup & time | Top pick & analyst |
|---|---|
| Bucks vs. Magic 7 p.m. |
Magic -8.5 Quinn Allen |
| Knicks vs. Pacers 7 p.m. |
Under 218.5 Ed Scimia |
| Cavaliers vs. Heat 8 p.m. |
Heat moneyline Chris Walder |
| Grizzlies vs. Pelicans 8 p.m. |
Pelicans +3.5 Geoff Clark |
| Hawks vs. Bulls 8 p.m. |
Onyeka Okongwu Over 7.5 Total Rebounds Todd Cordell |
| Jazz vs. Rockets 8:30 p.m. |
Over 219.5 Phil Naessens |
| Warriors vs. Spurs 9:30 p.m. |
Spurs -11.5 Zak Hanshew |
| Trail Blazers vs. Kings 10 p.m. |
Deni Avdija Over 1.5 threes Quinn Allen |
Picks courtesy of Polymarket, one of our best prediction market apps.
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Bucks vs Magic pick: Magic -8.5
- Time: 7 p.m.
- TV: Bucks+, DAZN-ORL
- Analyst: Quinn Allen
Top pick: Magic -8.5
The Orlando Magic enter tonight's NBA Cup matchup at Kia Center as 8.5-point home favorites against a struggling Milwaukee Bucks squad.
Behind another big night from Franz Wagner, Orlando has the offensive firepower and recent momentum to pull away comfortably at home against a Bucks defense allowing 121.3 points per game.
Read Quinn Allen's full Bucks vs. Magic predictions for more picks.
Knicks vs Pacers pick: Under 218.5
- Time: 7 p.m.
- TV: Prime Video
- Analyst: Ed Scimia
Top pick: Under 218.5
The New York Knicks have been stifling opponents with one of the league's best defenses and most deliberate tempos, consistently pushing games below the number.
Facing an Indiana Pacers squad dealing with key absences, expect New York to dictate pace at Gainbridge Fieldhouse and keep this total Under 218.5.
Read Ed Scimia's full Knicks vs. Pacers predictions for more picks.
Cavaliers vs Heat pick: Heat moneyline
- Time: 8 p.m.
- TV: DAZN CLE, FanDuel Sports Network Sun
- Analyst: Chris Walder
Top pick: Heat moneyline
NBA Cup group play continues Friday at Kaseya Center with the Cleveland Cavaliers entering as road underdogs without Evan Mobley, who is sidelined with a toe injury.
The Miami Heat have won five of their last seven games after opening the season 0-4, and their physical frontcourt of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo should exploit Cleveland's missing interior anchor.
Read Chris Walder's full Cavaliers vs. Heat predictions for more picks.
Grizzlies vs Pelicans pick: Pelicans +3.5
- Time: 8 p.m.
- TV: GCSEN, Pelicans.com, DAZN MEM
- Analyst: Geoff Clark
Top pick: Pelicans +3.5
The New Orleans Pelicans upset the Memphis Grizzlies 135-134 in overtime as a 5.5-point underdog earlier this month, but the final score undersells how well the Pelicans played. They led for 76% of the game, had 10 more field-goal attempts, and committed half as many turnovers.
They should win the "battle for possessions" again. Their offensive turnover rates are nearly identical, but NOLA forces roughly two more turnovers per game, and Memphis ranks 25th in points off of turnovers allowed per game.
Read Geoff Clark's full Grizzlies vs. Pelicans predictions for more picks.
Hawks vs Bulls pick: Onyeka Okongwu Over 7.5 Total Rebounds
- Time: 8 p.m.
- TV: WANFA, CHSN
- Analyst: Todd Cordell
Top pick: Pelicans +3.5
Onyeka Okongwu averages 8.1 rebounds per game and 8.5 and should see at least 24 minutes tonight.
The Chicago Bulls play at the league’s highest pace and rank 23rd in limiting rebounds to Okongwu’s position.
Okongwu has grabbed 10+ rebounds in all five games against Bottom-10 teams in rebounding vs. position, averaging a strong 11.6.
He should dominate the boards in this game. The NBA Cup matchup also provides a safer minutes floor due to the importance of point differential.
Read Todd Cordell's full Hawks vs. Bulls predictions for more picks.
Jazz vs Rockets pick: Over 219.5
- Time: 8:30 p.m.
- TV: KJZZ.TV, SCHN
- Analyst: Phil Naessens
Top pick: Over 219.5
The Utah Jazz visit the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center with both teams looking for their first NBA Cup group-stage win.
Utah has allowed 114.9 points per 100 possessions over its last five games while Houston has produced 114.4, setting the stage for a high-scoring affair that pushes past the 219.5 total.
Read Phil Naessens' full Jazz vs. Rockets predictions for more picks.
Warriors vs Spurs pick: Spurs -11.5
- Time: 9:30 p.m.
- TV: Prime Video
- Analyst: Zak Hanshew
Top pick: Spurs -11.5
The Golden State Warriors travel to Frost Bank Center without Stephen Curry, creating major offensive hurdles against the San Antonio Spurs.
With Victor Wembanyama anchoring both ends of the floor and San Antonio's perimeter defenders pressuring Golden State's shorthanded backcourt, the Spurs are well positioned to cruise and cover as 11.5-point home favorites.
Read Zak Hanshew's full Warriors vs. Spurs predictions for more picks.
Trail Blazers vs Kings pick: Deni Avdija Over 1.5 threes
- Time: 10 p.m.
- TV: NBCS-CA, BlazerVision
- Analyst: Quinn Allen
Top pick: Deni Avdija Over 1.5 threes
The price isn't super appealing here, but it's worth a serious look. Deni Avdija is shooting 37.5% from downtown across his last five games, and he's cashed the Over in three straight outings.
Avdija took a whopping 13 triples on Wednesday night against the Thunder, and I expect his volume to stay high here because of the Sacramento Kings' struggles against the three-ball.
The Kings are allowing opponents to shoot 36.9% from deep, and 39.1% in their previous three contests.
With that in mind, Avdija shouldn't have any issues draining 2+ threes here.
Read Quinn Allen's full Trail Blazers vs. Kings predictions for more picks.
More NBA picks
Want to build a bigger card? These Covers roundups cover every bet type for today's games:
Check the NBA injury report before finalizing today's picks.
All of today’s matchups are also on the NBA scores and matchups page, and the full pick archive lives in free NBA picks.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
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