NBA Betting Picks for Friday 1/19/24: The Streaking Suns Travel to The Big Easy

The 82-game NBA regular season offers us a wide variety of betting options, including point spreads, moneylines, and totals. The Association features 1,230 regular season games, which can make sifting through the odds an overwhelming task.

However, various advanced statistics can help narrow the choices. numberFire's NBA power rankings and daily projections paired with advanced stats from the NBA can help give the inside track to winning big.

While utilizing some of the mentioned tools, which NBA odds from FanDuel Sportsbook look like the best bets today?

Please note lines are subject to change throughout the day after this article is published.

NBA Best Bets

Philadelphia 76ers at Orlando Magic

Over 223 (-110)

Since returning from injury, Joel Embiid has climbed the MVP race following back-to-back 41-point outbursts while averaging 8.5 rebounds per game (RPG). According to FanDuel's NBA MVP odds, Embiid now has the second-shortest odds to win the award (+260). The Philadelphia 76ers have found their footing with a three-game winning streak while going 3-0 against the spread (ATS).

Philadelphia is headed to the Sunshine State on Friday to take on the Orlando Magic, who is rapidly falling down Eastern Conference standings with a 3-7 record over the last 10. Orlando is keeping their fingers crossed for a solution to slow Embiid. Good luck with that, though, as few teams have been able to stop the reigning MVP winner.

The Magic's paint defense could make their situation dire as they give up the 16th-most points in the paint per game. Plus, opponents have totaled at least 58 points in the paint in three of the last five games against Orlando. This certainly spells trouble against Embiid, who shoots 63.8% of his field goal attempts within 14 feet of the basket while converting 57.2% of the looks. The Magic's starting center Goga Bitadze (109.5) has a solid defensive rating, but Moritz Wagner is also a regular part of the rotation and has a concerning 116.1 defensive rating.

Free throws could also allow the Sixers to have a solid scoring night as they attempt the most in the NBA per game. Meanwhile, Orlando gives up the eighth-most free throw attempts each contest.

After reaching 124 points in three of the last four games, Philly's success on offense could continue on the road. This certainly points to the over for the 223 total, but will the Magic also do their part?

Orlando has the seventh-worst offensive rating in the Association. The clear strength of their offense is to attack the rim by totaling the eighth-most points in the paint per game. The Magic are drawing this matchup at an ideal time with the 76ers allowing 57.6 points in the paint per contest over their previous five games. Philadelphia gives up the 10th-most points in the paint per game, and the mark of 57.6 would be the 3rd-worst mark for the season.

This bodes well for Orlando's leading scorer Paolo Banchero (22.9 PPG) who's struggled from the three-point line, converting only 3 of 22 attempts (13.6%) over the last five contests. Banchero -- who shoots 58.9% within five feet of the rim -- could look to attack the paint with a favorable matchup.

While the under has hit in six straight Magic games, I like the over for this one. Orlando can do what it does best on offense, and the 76ers could score plenty led by free throws and another monster showing from Embiid. With Banchero and Embiid poised for good games while the under looks favorable, the 76ers-Magic could be the perfect game for FanDuel's 25% Profit Boost for a 3+ Leg NBA Same Game Parlay for tonight's games.

Phoenix Suns at New Orleans Pelicans

Suns Moneyline (+106)

A pair of potential playoff teams will clash in the West on Friday night as the Phoenix Suns will visit the New Orleans Pelicans. Per FanDuel's NBA playoff odds, the Suns are -310 to earn a postseason berth while the Pelicans are -480. New Orleans has enjoyed a successful start at 25-17 with the No. 5 seed, but Phoenix has struggled with inconsistency at 22-18.

The Pelicans have been the far more reliable team with a 7-3 ATS record over the last 10 games while the Suns are 3-7 ATS during the span. The Pelicans have especially excelled in the Smoothie King Center, going 3-1 ATS over their previous four home contests. Trends suggest New Orleans could be the obvious pick, but Phoenix has won three straight games. Which side will come out on top?

With the seventh-best defensive rating in the league, the Pelicans could have the tools to slow down Phoenix's star-studded trio of Kevin Durant (28.9 PPG), Devin Booker (26.2 PPG), and Bradley Beal (17.9 PPG). New Orleans' top three defenders in their starting lineup are C.J. McCollum (114.0 defensive rating), Herbert Jones (115.2 defensive rating), and Brandon Ingram (114.8 defensive rating). This works out well for the Pels as McCollum and Jones will likely be tasked with Booker and Beal while Ingram could defend KD.

Continuing with New Orleans defense, they give up the ninth-fewest free throws per game while the Suns attempt the fourth-most free throws each contest. However, Phoenix's recent three-point shooting could be a problem for the Pelicans. The Suns have cashed in 42.3% of their looks from deep over the last three contests. Beal's recent play has been a big boost with 24.3 PPG and a 60.0% three-point percentage in his previous three outing. Booker hasn't missed a beat either with 27.0 PPG over his last three.

When this trio is rolling, Phoenix can have one of the Association's best offenses, and that has been on display with their 124.3 PPG average while shooting 52.8% from the field during the three-game winning streak. New Orleans also allows the most three-point attempts in the league, meaning the Suns could continue to stay as hot as the Sahara Desert from three.

Phoenix's interior defense has improved within the last three, giving up only 40.0 points in the paint per game. This comes at the perfect time with the Pelicans totaling the 10th-most points in the paint.

The Suns are simply a team that few want to see right now with their big three beginning to mesh. Phoenix's offense could stay as hot as the sun, and the improved paint defense is ideal against a team that depends on attacking the rim with the fourth-fewest three-point shots per game. The Suns could pull off the upset, winning their fourth consecutive game.

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The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.