While the NFL’s primetime matchups have face-planted into hysterics and train wrecks and clown shows alike, ESPN’s Friday night endeavors have proven fruitful. Their nationally televised doubleheaders have hosted stars week in and week out.
This week is no different, hosting two clashes of titans: one in Philadelphia and one in Dallas. The common thread between the two? We’re going green 🤑. Using the Bet Basics team cards, which sort each bet by the sportsbook with the best odds, we can give ourselves an edge over those using a single book.
For Friday, we’ll be focusing on the cash-colored DraftKings and Unibet books as we bet on the stars to start our weekend. 💸
Los Angeles Lakers @ Philadelphia 76ers
A rematch of the 2001 NBA Finals, our first matchup takes us to the city of brotherly love. The Los Angeles Lakers have caught fire thanks to Anthony Davis’ display of Godzilla-like dominance. Unfortunately, an illness 🤒 has dampened Davis’ momentum and brought on a two-game losing streak. Still, AD and LeBron James are probably for Friday’s primetime action.
They face a Philadelphia 76ers team who is struggling in their own right. They’ve lost three straight to go 5-5 in their last 10. Both teams have underperformed their lofty preseason expectations. While the Los Angeles Lakers stars have borne the burden, many critics have turned to head coach Doc Rivers as the problem child of Philadelphia.
I’m tempted to ride the hot hand in gold and purple, but the line is too good to be true. With a moneyline of +140, an $100 wager would bring home $140 if successful. According to Bleacher Report, 95% of the bets have been on the Lakers. I question that figure more than my own sanity during Thursday Night Football Games. However, the market is telling us that a cold 76ers team is still better than Los Angeles, at least at home, and I’m inclined to believe them.
Philadelphia’s moneyline resides at -155 on DraftKings, the shortest odds available. Of course, a moneyline bet is simply a wager on who will win the game. If searching for the best line has left you at DraftKings’ doorstep, allow Bet Basics to let you in with this promotion: BET $5 GET $150 IN BONUS BETS.
Milwaukee Bucks @ Dallas Mavericks
I think Vegas is trying to get one over on us 🤨, and I don’t think it’s going to work. The Milwaukee Bucks, second favorite to win the East and employer of Giannis Antetokounmpo should not be a single point favorite over this Dallas Mavericks team.
Unibet, which holds the sportsbook circuit best -113 odds on the Bucks to win, is relying on Luka Doncic to keep his hot streak alive and out-duel the Greek 🇬🇷 Freak. You can sign up for Unibet here: $100 SECOND CHANCE BET. Dallas is 10-3 at home and boasts quality Offensive and Defensive Ratings (7th and 11th best in basketball, respectively). Yet, they are only 13-11.
It’s true the Mavericks are a much better team than their record suggests, but I don’t think that positive win regression comes against arguably the best team in basketball. The Bucks are more complete, and even if you consider both No. 1s as a wash, their supporting cast should win out.
Few teams can hurl defensive weapons at Doncic and the Mavs like Milwaukee can. They’ll live to make his life difficult, and I’m not sure the rest of the starting lineup can pick up the slack if he doesn’t continue his scorching streak.
In his first game as a 28-year-old, expect Antetokounmpo to show why he’s the superior young superstar.