Friday features a packed slate of 9 NBA Cup group-stage games, with the action tipping off in Charlotte and Atlanta before wrapping up with the Trail Blazers taking on the Lakers in Los Angeles.
Our NBA predictions highlight the featured picks from Covers analysts across today's card.
See more expert betting angles in our free NBA picks for Nov. 6.
NBA top picks at a glance (Friday, Nov. 6)
| Matchup & time | Top pick & analyst |
|---|---|
| Wizards vs. Hawks 7 p.m. |
Hawks -6.5 Quinn Allen |
| Thunder vs. Grizzlies 8 p.m. |
Grizzlies +3.5 Zak Hanshew |
| Timberwolves vs. Pelicans 8 p.m. |
Timberwolves -4.5 Shawn Krest |
| Raptors vs. Bucks 8 p.m. |
Bucks +7.5 Chris Walder |
| Trail Blazers vs. Lakers 10 p.m. |
Trail Blazers +2.5 Chris Walder |
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Wizards vs Hawks pick: Hawks -6.5
- Time: 7 p.m.
- TV: MNMT, Peachtree TV
- Analyst: Quinn Allen
Top pick: Hawks -6.5
Play up to 58%.
The Atlanta Hawks beat the Washington Wizards by 15 on Wednesday night behind an impressive shooting performance and a dominant showing on the boards.
Atlanta holds a clear edge in both categories. The Hawks rank 14th in three-point percentage and 12th in rebounding, while Washington sits 29th and 26th, respectively. Atlanta also outrebounded the Wizards 57-41 and drained 13 more triples on Wednesday.
Most importantly, Anthony Davis is questionable tonight due to an ankle sprain. His potential absence would make Washington even more vulnerable inside, although Atlanta still won comfortably despite AD scoring 26 earlier this week.
The Hawks have won two straight without Jalen Johnson, and I'll back them to cover again at home.
Read Quinn Allen's full Wizards vs. Hawks predictions for more picks.
Thunder vs Grizzlies pick: Grizzlies +3.5
- Time: 8 p.m.
- TV: FanDuel Sports Network
- Analyst: Zak Hanshew
Top pick: Grizzlies +3.5
The Memphis Grizzlies have dropped two straight games, but they’ve played well enough this season to be spotted 3.5 points, and I’ll trade this spread down to 2.5 points.
The Grizzlies rank second in three-pointers made (15.8) and are the only team shooting 40% from beyond the arc. Memphis isn’t just a perimeter team, however, as it leads the Association in rebounds at 49.5.
With Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams and Cason Wallace out, Memphis’ go-to scorer Ty Jerome can attack a compromised defense by scoring or dishing to his strong supporting cast of shooters.
The injury-plagued Oklahoma City Thunder will need a monster performance from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to cover, and Memphis has the size, length and athleticism to slow him down.
Read Zak Hanshew's full Thunder vs. Grizzlies predictions for more picks.
Timberwolves vs Pelicans pick: Timberwolves -4.5
- Time: 8 p.m.
- TV: FanDuel Sports Network
- Analyst: Shawn Krest
Top pick: Timberwolves -4.5
The Minnesota Timberwolves have now played more games without All-Star Anthony Edwards than with him, and the change in the team’s approach without their MVP candidate is becoming apparent.
The team is struggling on the perimeter, shooting 34 points worse from three and allowing 59 more points since Edwards’ knee surgery. However, New Orleans takes the fewest three-point attempts in the league and ranks 26th out of 30 teams in outside shooting.
The matchup inside is also more favorable to Minnesota than it is to the New Orleans Pelicans. The Pelicans are the worst team in the NBA at defending two-point shots, which is where Minnesota has shifted its attack without Edwards.
Minnesota is eighth in the league in interior defense, which matches up well against Zion Williamson and company, who take more inside shots than any other team.
Read Shawn Krest's full Timberwolves vs. Pelicans predictions for more picks.
Raptors vs Bucks pick: Bucks +7.5
- Time: 8 p.m.
- TV: Sportsnet, FanDuel Sports Network
- Analyst: Chris Walder
Top pick: Bucks +7.5
Play up to 53%.
Tonight's matchup concludes a four-game road trip for the Toronto Raptors, who've quickly been humbled after a blistering start to the campaign. Kawhi Leonard (knee) remains sidelined, and they needed a 16-point comeback against the depleted Los Angeles Clippers on Monday to avoid what would otherwise have been a third straight defeat.
Toronto's defense has allowed 125.1 points per 100 possessions (28th) over the last four games, a significant decline from 111.4 points per 100 possessions (13th) during its 3-1 start. The Milwaukee Bucks have the offensive tools to capitalize on that, especially from behind the arc.
Milwaukee currently sits sixth in 3-pointers made (15.1) and first in attempts (44.1), while the Raptors have allowed opponents to convert 36.9% of their attempts from distance (25th). Across Toronto's four losses, opposing squads have buried a scorching 48% from the perimeter, the second-highest opposing 3-point percentage in the league.
Scottie Barnes (adductor) is now listed as questionable, and his potential absence would give the Bucks a clearer path to a more competitive game.
Read Chris Walder's full Raptors vs. Bucks predictions for more picks.
Trail Blazers vs Lakers pick: Trail Blazers +2.5
- Time: 10 p.m.
- TV: Prime Video, Spectrum Sportsnet
- Analyst: Chris Walder
Top pick: Trail Blazers +2.5
Play up to 55%.
The Portland Trail Blazers lit up the Los Angeles Lakers on Oct. 27 to the tune of 136 points on 59% shooting in a seven-point road victory. That remains the most points Los Angeles' current 21st-ranked defense (112.9 points allowed per 100 possessions) has given up this season.
The key difference tonight is that Portland will be without Ja Morant (hamstring), who poured in 23 points on 9-of-13 shooting that day. It will be the fourth straight game he's missed, yet the Trail Blazers are a perfect 3-0 straight up without him while scoring 119.5 points per 100 possessions (fourth).
Lakers superstar Luka Doncic has scored 40-plus points on five occasions, but the loss to Portland is the only time he reached that mark while coming out on the losing end. Even with Morant hurt, the Trail Blazers still boast five other players producing 12-plus points per contest. That offensive diversity gives them the edge here.
Read Chris Walder's full Trail Blazers vs. Lakers 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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