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NBA weekend betting preview: Are the Thunder too good to be true vs. Bucks?

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There will be some elite basketball on Friday night, with the 10-game slate kicking off what should be a profitable weekend if all goes according to plan.

Here's everything you need to know about the key matchups, beginning with this evening.

Friday

Oklahoma City Thunder at Milwaukee Bucks (-10.5, 229)

The Thunder have been one of the best stories this season, but do they hold a candle to the league-leading Bucks? Oklahoma City could be one of those trendy public 'dogs that's hit with a reality check, though it's tough to fade the team given the situation.

The Thunder are on a perfect 9-0 run against the spread when playing on zero days of rest this season, and they'll be entering the second leg of back-to-back games after playing Sacramento on Thursday night. They've also been unreal on the road, covering 20 of their last 26 contests when getting points away from home and 22 of their last 28 overall.

Dallas Mavericks at Miami Heat (-2.5, 230)

The Mavericks are also playing well on the road. Dallas trails only the Thunder in ATS wins as a visitor this season, and the club heads into Friday's clash with the Heat 20-7-2 in that spot. But don't play the Mavericks on the full-game spread. Instead, look to the first half, when they're 23-5-1 ATS on the road.

Washington Wizards at Utah Jazz (-10.5, 232.5)

The Wizards have been one of the best "over" teams this season, going 33-23-1 to that side of the total. They've also gone over the total in two-thirds of their games on the road. But similar to the Mavericks-Heat game, the sweet spot here is the first half. Washington is 18-3 to the first-half over this season when playing against a winning team on the road, setting up a potential track meet on Friday against the Jazz.

Minnesota Timberwolves at Orlando Magic (-7.5, 233)

If you're planning to fade the Timberwolves and their league-worst ATS record, I'm not going to stop you. Minnesota is just 2-7 during its last nine contests in Orlando and has covered in only five of the team's last 21 games against the Magic. You should also stay away from the T-Wolves when the total is 220 or higher, as they're a dreadful 13-30 ATS this season in that spot.

Saturday

Portland Trail Blazers at Atlanta Hawks (NA)

It'll be interesting to see the Trail Blazers' approach to the rest of the regular season if Memphis continues to hold down the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference. Though it's too early for Portland to pack it in, Atlanta looks like a solid squad to back at home on Saturday. The Hawks are on a 28-15 run ATS at home since last season, and they're averaging 3.6 more points per game on their home court than on the road in 2019-20.

Los Angeles Lakers at Memphis Grizzlies (NA)

The Grizzlies will play the Lakers on the second of back-to-back games for the second time in eight days on Saturday. Memphis entered last week's meeting 6-1 to the over in its last seven games played on zero days of rest, though that trend ended when the matchup went under. I recommend doubling down and going with the over again, as the Lakers have cashed nine of their last 12 overs as visitors.

Sunday

Philadelphia 76ers at Los Angeles Clippers (NA)

This is a revenge spot for the Clippers, who lost to the 76ers by seven on Feb. 11. However, that game was played in Philadelphia when the Sixers' rotation was still healthy. Now, Philly will go on the road - where it's 1-12 ATS over the team's last 13 games - without Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid. Take L.A. or pass in this spot.

Washington Wizards at Golden State Warriors (NA)

You know it's been a tough season for the Warriors when the Wizards are the better play. Golden State is a dreadful 12-17-1 ATS at home this season, and the Warriors haven't covered in their last five tries at Oracle Arena.

Alex Kolodziej is a betting writer for theScore. He's a graduate of Eastern Illinois who has been involved in the sports betting industry for 12 years. He can quote every line from "Rounders" and appreciates franchises that regularly wear alternate jerseys. Find him on Twitter @AJKolodziej.

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