I’m sure most NBA parlay bettors have heard the phrase about being close and the only time it counts. Welp, parlay’s are not one of them. The unfortunate thing about multiple wagers on a single ticket is that winning nine of 10 individual bets still ends up being a loser. Sure the odds are great and the payout even better, but it’s not an easy task. I’ll keep plugging away, though, with that winning parlay just around the corner. The eight-game slate for Friday, Jan. 19 features several intriguing matchups, notably between the defending champion Denver Nuggets and Boston Celtics. Boston stayed perfect at home beating San Antonio, 117-98 on Wednesday for their 20th win in the Garden. They also covered the NBA betting line for a third straight game.

The fading Golden State Warriors host Dallas in a Western Conference tilt. Luka Doncic returned with 33 points in a loss to the Lakers on Wednesday and he enjoys going toe-to-toe with Stephen Curry with some of his best games against the Dubs. And Golden State is playing for the first time following the sudden death of assistant coach Dejan Milojevic, leaving them with heavy hearts. It might be good time to make the Mavs a NBA betting pick at BetRivers sportsbook,

I have yet to put everything together on a NBA parlay hitting two of three wagers last week. Sacramento had a glorious opportunity against the Sixers without Joel Embiid. However, the Kings failed to take advantage of the situation losing by 19 points. I was successful backing the Clippers against the NBA betting line and also hit on the OVER 230 in Denver’s 125-113 win over New Orleans. Now I need to put all those winning picks together on one NBA parlay card.

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NBA Schedule for Friday, January 19

San Antonio at Charlotte, 7 p.m. ET

Philadelphia at Orlando, 7 p.m. ET

Denver at Boston, 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Atlanta at Miami, 8 p.m. ET

Phoenix at New Orleans, 8 p.m. ET

Dallas at Golden State, 10 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Indiana at Portland, 10 p.m. ET

Brooklyn at LA Lakers, 10:30 p.m. ET

The Celtics have to lose a home game at some point, don’t they? They get a good test against Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets, but considering Denver’s road struggles and Boston’s close-out style I have to back the Cs on the NBA point spread. Not only do they win at the Garden, the Celtics are also profitable going 13-7 as a NBA betting pick. Boston’s been one of the top offensive teams led by Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, and the defense has tightened up allowing fewer than 100 points in each of their last two games. Jokic will make it interesting, but the Celtics have plenty of depth and firepower to counter anything Denver throws at them.

I gave away my betting strategy when I mentioned the Warriors will be playing with a lot of emotion. There’s a chance they channel that into the game but more likely they don’t. And the Mavs have had success against the Warriors even when Golden State was winning championships. Doncic has put up huge numbers in the past when the clubs get together dropping 39 on the Dubs in a 132-122 victory last month. The teams have also gone OVER the total on the NBA betting line in five straight games. In a same-game parlay I’m taking the Mavs on the line and the OVER.

Another team playing good basketball right now is Philadelphia. Getting Joel Embiid back in the lineup certainly helps their case. The MVP went for 41 in back-to-back wins over Denver and Houston and will tangle with the menacing defense of the Orlando Magic on Friday. The clubs met in December with Philly earning a 112-92 road win with Embiid on the shelf. They finished below the closing total of 228.5 cashing the UNDER in a third straight game. Even with Embiid back on the floor it’s hard to see this game turning into a shootout. Therefore I’m backing the UNDER as my NBA pick at BetRivers sportsbook,

Boston Celtics ATS

Mavericks ATS / Warriors OVER

Sixers / Magic UNDER

Bet $100 to Win $600 On This NBA Parlay at BetRivers.