Friday, February 23 NBA Parlay Picks

With 24 NBA teams getting their post All-Star break schedule out of the way the night before, the remaining six clubs hit the hardwood for the first time in over week as part of the 10-game slate for Friday, February 23. And there are some enticing matchups with which to make a NBA parlay

at Caesars sportsbook. Fresh off his All-Star Game MVP performance, Damian Lillard leads the Milwaukee Bucks into Minnesota for a showdown with the Western Conference leading Timberwolves in the only game pitting teams starting their second half. That means four clubs are playing the second of a back to back against a well rested team that could leave them vulnerable on the NBA betting line.

The post All-Star break portion of the schedule is widely referred to as the second half when it actually represents closer to the two-thirds mark in terms of games played. That means teams at the fringe of the playoff/play-in picture need to show a sense of urgency. The top four teams in the Western Conference are separated by only three games with all four clubs in action on Friday. The Wolves get a stiff test against the Bucks, a team they beat by 24 points on the road on Feb. 8 to start a current four-game winning streak that’s also seen them go 4-0 as a NBA betting pick. Oklahoma City is the second most profitable team in the league winning over 62 percent of their games as a NBA pick against the spread and hosts Washington.

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NBA Schedule for Friday, February 23

Toronto at Atlanta, 7:30 p.m. ET

Cleveland at Philadelphia, 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Phoenix at Houston, 8 p.m. ET

LA Clippers at Memphis, 8 p.m. ET

Washington at Oklahoma City, 8 p.m. ET

Miami at New Orleans, 8 p.m. ET

Milwaukee at Minnesota, 10 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Charlotte at Golden State, 10 p.m. ET

Denver at Portland, 10 p.m. ET

San Antonio at LA Lakers, 10:30 p.m. ET

My good fortune didn’t last long as I followed up my three-team parlay win with a dud just before the break. And like the players that needed a rest after the grueling pre-break portion of the schedule, I guess I needed one too. So, refreshed after the week off I’m ready to make up for lost time and money by hitting some NBA parlays starting with Friday’s schedule.

The Philadelphia 76ers haven’t figured out how to function without MVP Joel Embiid and its costing them. They won just three of 12 games before the break and they are 6-14 this season without him. One of those wins was in Cleveland the week before the break when I think they caught the Cavs napping. It was Cleveland worst defensive effort in two months and one they are unlikely to repeat. Owners of the best road record in the NBA at 17-8, the Cavs are also profitable covering the NBA betting line in 58 percent of their road contests. And with payback on their minds I expect the Cavs to cover.

If you still doubt the Timberwolves I guess you haven’t been following the NBA. They’ve led the Western Conference nearly the entire season and closed the pre-break schedule on an impressive run with four straight road wins, including a pair by more than 20 points over the Clippers and Milwaukee. They have the best defense in the NBA and started clicking on offense with five straight games of more than 120 points. They’ve also been a solid NBA betting pick at home with payouts in nearly 60 percent of their games. The Bucks meanwhile, have struggled since making a coaching change going just 3-7 under Doc Rivers.

There were several games I looked at closely to complete my winning three-team NBA parlay eventually settling on the Golden State Warriors to cover the NBA betting line in their matchup with Charlotte. The Dubs could have gone into the break on a 7-game winning streak if they hadn’t blown a 14-point, fourth quarter lead to the Clippers. Still, the Warriors are playing their best basketball of the season and statistically they’re better with Stephen Curry off the floor holding a better offensive rating. They also covered the NBA betting line in eight of 10 games prior to the break.

Friday NBA Parlay Picks

Cavaliers ATS

Timberwolves ATS

Warriors ATS

Bet $100 to Win $600 On This NBA Parlay at Caesars sportsbook