NBA: Friday's 8 p.m. ET plays

Play: Chicago -6.5

Time: 8 p.m. ET

Reasoning: The Bulls won't have Derrick Rose, but they won't need him against Minnesota. The Timberwolves have the worst record in the Western Conference and are 4-29 vs. Top 16 teams. They are allowing 109.6 ppg on the road and Chicago has a tremendous edge on the glass (13.2 orpg). It also commits far fewer turnovers and records nearly twice as many blocks. Expect the Bulls to shoot better than Minnesota, and when the opposition does that the Wolves are 3-42.



Play: L.A.Clippers +5 -105

Time: 8 p.m. ET

Reasoning: Los Angeles has played the tougher schedule and averages more than 106 points both overall and in the home/away splits. Memphis hasn't scored 100 points in eight games. The Clippers shoot better overall and the Grizzlies are below average defending the three. L.A. can hang with Memphis in the rebounding department and the Clippers commit fewer turnovers and block more shots. Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol haven't been themselves offensively, and L.A. super sub Jamal Crawford (16.5 ppg) leads NBA reserves with 21 outings of 20 or more points.



Play: Miami -1.5 -105

Time: 8 p.m. ET

Reasoning: The Pelicans won't have Anthony Davis or Ryan Anderson back until March. The Heat are playing without Chris Bosh (lung), but they've won three of four without him and still have five players averaging double figures in scoring. Miami rallied to beat Orlando on Wednesday when it erased an eight-point deficit in the final minute of regulation. Luol Deng scored 21 in that one and Hassan Whiteside added 15 points and 13 rebounds. Whiteside is averaging 13.9 rpg in his last 12. Newcomer Goran Dragic has averaged 14.3 points and 5.3 assists in his first three games with the Heat. Miami shoots better and totals more free throws and steals.



Record: 296-220-11 (57.4%)
Bankroll: +252.69%