This article is part of our NBA Picks series.
Hawks moneyline (-108) vs. 76ers
FanDuel, 4:07 PM CT
Alex Barutha: Joel Embiid is back and dominated the Suns in his last outing, but I think the combination of Clint Capela and Okyeka Okongwu is better suited defensively against Embiid than Deandre Ayton and Bismack Biyombo. Plus, I trust Dejounte Murray to hound Tyrese Maxey all night. Philly has a two-day rest advantage, so that's not ideal, but it helps that Atlanta remains at home on the second night of the back-to-back.
Dallas Mavericks at Washington Wizards U208.5 points
DraftKings Sportsbook, 11am CT
Nick Whalen: Dallas is the better team here – especially with no Bradley Beal – but the Mavs come in on the second night of a back-to-back after struggling in Orlando on Wednesday. Chances are, Luka Doncic will bounce back from his first sub-30-point game of the year, but I still like the under on what's a fairly friendly number. I don't trust the Wizards to do their part sans Beal, and Dallas – which will be without Christian Wood -- plays at the NBA's slowest pace.
2-leg parlay: Pelicans moneyline vs. Trail Blazers and Wizards +4.5 vs. Mavericks (+143)
Caesar's, 2:15pm CT
Michael Gillow: This parlay is based on my favorite NBA phenomenon: road back-to-backs. The Trail Blazers played in Charlotte last night and have to travel to New Orleans to play a mostly-healthy Pelicans team without Damian Lillard. Meanwhile, the Mavericks lost by seven last night in Orlando and have to travel to Washington D.C.
