Steve Starr
- Go to BetOnline for updated NBA basketball lines, spreads and totals for Friday’s full seven-game slate
- The ascending Charlotte Hornets head to Miami to take on a veteran Heat club with championship aspirations
- Reigning MVP Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets host Slovenian superstar Luka Doncic in ESPN’s nightcap
Friday night’s NBA lineup is a good one – as basketball fans, we can get acquainted with upcoming Hornets star LaMelo Ball and see Kyle Lowry at the controls of a veteran Heat team. Then, we get to watch two of the best international players in the game, Nikola Jokic and Luka Doncic, go toe-to-toe in a nationally-televised game.
Before we look at the opening lines, be sure to check out these top betting sites for NBA basketball in 2021 and read our 2022 NBA Finals betting guide for more tips and advice.
NBA Friday Night
 | Spread | Money Line | Total |
| Orlando Magic | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| Toronto Raptors | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| Charlotte Hornets | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| Miami Heat | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| Indiana Pacers | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| Brooklyn Nets | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| Sacramento Kings | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| New Orleans Pelicans | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| Los Angeles Clippers | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| Portland Trail Blazers | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| Dallas Mavericks | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| Denver Nuggets | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| Cleveland Cavaliers | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| Los Angeles Lakers | TBD | TBD | TBD |
Heat vs. Hornets
After battling Brooklyn on Wednesday, the Heat host the Hornets in the first leg of ESPN’s Friday night double-header. With the reigning Rookie of the Year LaMelo Ball and depth at all positions, the future is bright for Charlotte. Sitting with a 4-1 record, the up-and-coming club picked up an impressive victory over the Nets on Sunday, thanks to Miles Bridges’ 32 points and nine rebounds, before falling to Boston 140-129 in overtime the following night.
Meanwhile, Miami is a battled-tested veteran squad that has immediate championship aspirations after adding Kyle Lowry in the offseason. Jimmy Butler also looked in top form against the Magic on Monday, scoring 36 points on 15-for-21 shooting. This one should come down to the wire, but we’ll favor experience over youth and pick the Heat.
LaMelo Ball.
That's all.
📲💻: NBA LP pic.twitter.com/jvrq3kgibB
— NBA (@NBA) October 26, 2021
Nuggets vs. Mavericks
This was supposed to be a matchup between reigning NBA MVP Nikola Jokic and the man many were expecting to win the award this year, Luka Doncic, but Denver’s big man left Tuesday’s loss to the Jazz after suffering a right knee contusion. With plenty of time to rest up, let’s hope he’s ready to play a Mavericks team that picked up two victories over the Raptors and Rockets following their season-opening loss to the Hawks.
Luka is flirting with triple-double averages (23.7 PPG, 11.3 RPG, 8.7 APG) through the first few games of the year, but his scoring is down in Jason Kidd’s new offense. Assuming Jokic is back in the lineup, the Nuggets should be able to get back on track at home after consecutive losses.
Trail Blazers vs. Clippers
Damian Lillard said recently he was still optimistic the Blazers could win an NBA championship this season, but once his pipe dream is exposed for what it is, it will be interesting to see if the star guard remains content in the Pacific Northwest. Chancey Billups called Portland’s 30-point loss to the Clippers on Monday “embarrassing.”
His team will have a chance to answer back on home court on Friday night versus a Los Angeles squad that has been otherwise unimpressive through the first few games. Without Kawhi Leonard for the year, Ty Lue’s club remains an excellent bet to miss the postseason, but his Clippers will triumph over a Blazers franchise that is heading towards turbulent waters this season.
Damian Lillard is 2-24 (8.3%) from 3 this season. pic.twitter.com/VofbToVlkQ
— Basketball Forever (@Bballforeverfb) October 26, 2021
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