Darius Garland [1296x729]
Darius Garland [1296x729] (Credit: Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images)

Zverev rallies for spot in Rome final vs Jarry

 

There are only two games on Friday's NBA slate, with two teams facing elimination. The LA Clippers take on the Dallas Mavericks on the road (9:30 p.m. on ESPN). Can the Mavericks finally solve the Clippers after being eliminated by Los Angeles back in 2021?

In the other game, the Orlando Magic are facing the Cleveland Cavaliers with the Cavs up 3-2 in the series (7 p.m. on ESPN). The Magic are slight favorites to send the series to Game 7.

Let's take a closer look at the best bets for the night:

Derrick Jones Jr. over 14.5 points and rebounds.

With the Mavericks attempting to close out their first round series against the Clippers at home, expect maximum effort from both teams. Jones Jr. has cleared 14.5 points and rebounds in three of his past four games, playing 27 or more minutes in four straight with a field goal percentage of 67%.

Ivica Zubac over 13.5 points.

Zubac has been consistent for the Clippers, scoring 13 or more points in every game this series. With solid shooting stats (11.8 FGA and 61% FG) and ample playing time (31.0 MPG), Zubac is poised for more scoring opportunities against a Mavericks defense that will be focused on James Harden and Paul George.

Darius Garland under 17.5 points.

Garland has scored under 17.5 points in four of his past five games. While he did put up 23 points in Game 4, 17 of those points came in the first quarter with Donovan Mitchell dealing with foul trouble.

Projections and Injury Reports

Basketball Power Index by ESPN Analytics. Injury aggregation by Rotowire.com. Odds by ESPN BET 

Cleveland Cavaliers at Orlando Magic East 1st Round - Game 6 7 p.m. Amway Center, Orlando

Records (Against the Spread) Cavaliers: 48-34 (37-44-1) Magic: 47-35 (50-32-0)

Line: Magic (-3.5) Total: 200.5  Money Line: Cavaliers (+140), Magic (-165) BPI Projection: Cavaliers by 0.8, straight up 53%, 201.7 total points.

Injury Report: Cavaliers: Jarrett Allen, (GTD - Ribs); Craig Porter, (OUT - Ankle); Dean Wade, (OUT - Knee); Ty Jerome, (OUT - Ankle) Magic: Gary Harris, (GTD - Hamstring)

LA Clippers at Dallas Mavericks West 1st Round - Game 6 9:30 p.m. American Airlines Center, Dallas

Records (Against the Spread) Clippers: 51-31 (38-44-0) Mavericks: 50-32 (49-33-0)

Line: Mavericks (-7.5) Total: 208.5 Money Line: Clippers (+265), Mavericks (-330) BPI Projection: Mavericks by 7.7, straight up 74%, 204.4 total points.

Injury Report: Clippers: Terance Mann, (GTD - Lower Leg); Kawhi Leonard, (OUT - Knee) Mavericks: Olivier-Maxence Prosper, (OUT - Ankle); Tim Hardaway Jr., (OUT - Ankle); Greg Brown III, (OUT - Personal)