Best NBA Bets Today | NBA Picks February 3

The NBA's Friday schedule features eight exciting matchups between some of the league's most ambitious teams!

The rising Orlando Magic look to take down the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Atlanta Hawks and Utah Jazz meet in what is sure to be a high-scoring affair. And two struggling teams matchup when the Toronto Raptors and Houston Rockets face off!

Let's check out the bets!

Orlando Magic @ Minnesota Timberwolves

When: 8:00 PM EST

Spread: Minnesota Timberwolves -5.0 (-112) @ Unibet NJ

The Orlando Magic and Minnesota Timberwolves are both looking to climb their respective conference standings. The Magic are currently 13th in the Eastern Conference with a 23-30 overall record and a 7-19 road record. The Timberwolves are sixth in the West with a 28-29 overall record and a 19-11 home record.

A long and athletic team, the Orlando Magic hold opponents to 34.9% from three (5th in the NBA) while also keeping their opponents to 42.1 rebounds per game (6th in the NBA). In their last game, a loss to the Philadelphia 76ers, the Magic allowed their opponents 105 points on 40.0% from the field and 14 made three-pointers. The Timberwolves are a pacy two-way team that score 110.1 points per game (10th in the NBA) on 49.1% from the field (4th in the NBA) while allowing their opponents just 46.5% efficiency (6th in the NBA) from the field. In their last game, a win over the Golden State Warriors, the Timberwolves were able to score 119 points

We're taking the Minnesota Timberwolves in this matchup. They're the stronger offensive team and they have an excellent record at home. Seeing as the Magic aren't a strong three-point shooting team, Minnesota's paint defense should be the difference maker.

Atlanta Hawks @ Utah Jazz

When: 9:00 PM EST

Spread: Atlanta Hawks +2.0 (-110) @ WynnBet

The Atlanta Hawks and Utah Jazz are in a similar position in their respective conferences, now both looking to improve their standing. The Atlanta Hawks are currently eighth in the East with a 26-26 overall record and a 13-15 road record. The Utah Jazz are eighth in the Western Conference, with a 27-26 overall record and an 18-9 home record.

An all-out offence team, the Atlanta Hawks score 116.5 points per game (9th in the NBA) on 48.0% from the field (11th in the NBA) and 35.1% from deep (21st in the NBA). They were dominant in their last game, a win over the Phoenix Suns, scoring 132 points on 57.1% from the field and 57.6% from three-point range with 19 made threes on the night. The Jazz are also dangerous on the offensive side of the ball, averaging 117.8 points per game (4th in the NBA) while hitting 14.6 threes per game (4th in the NBA). In their last game, a win over the Toronto Raptors, the Jazz's defence held their opponents to just 28.6% from the field in the first quarter while collecting 11 blocks on the evening.

The Atlanta Hawks look healthy and their backcourt seems to be in excellent form. Due to their ability to defend the three-point line, we see the Hawks earning a victory over the Jazz in this match. While Utah's interior defence is something to think about, the Hawks are strong enough from range to deter the Jazz's paint defenders.

Toronto Raptors @ Houston Rockets

When: 8:00 PM EST

Spread: Toronto Raptors -5.5 (-110) @ Caesars Sportsbook

Both the Toronto Raptors and the Houston Rockets have been on a downward trend at this point in the season, with the boy looking like they're debating their lottery position rather than playoff chances. The Raptors are currently 12th in the East with a 23-30 overall record and an 8-18 road record. The Rockets are dead last in the West, with a 13-38 overall record and an 8-17 home record.

Despite their terrible record, the Toronto Raptors are probably one of the league's most difficult defensive teams to manage - as they allow just 112.6 points per game (11th in the NBA) while forcing 16.6 turnovers per game (2nd in the NBA). In their last game, a loss to the Utah Jazz, the Raptors could not limit their opponents from range as they allowed 17 threes on 36.2% efficiency. The Rockets tend to get by on grit and effort when they can, collecting 13.4 offensive rebounds per game (1st in the NBA) while limiting opponents to just 41.9 total rebounds (4th in the NBA). In their last game, a win over the Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston was able to hold their opponents to 106 points on 36.9% from the field and 27.9% from three.

We're taking the Raptors in this matchup, even though their form is trending opposite to that of the Rockets. Toronto have true star power, despite their what their current form suggests. Coming off of what is probably one of the NBA's worst-ever All-Star snubs, Pascal Siakam is likely to put on a stellar performance.