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NBA weekend betting preview: Expect Grizzlies-Lakers to light up the scoreboard

Andrew D. Bernstein / National Basketball Association / Getty

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The first NBA weekend of the second half is jam-packed, featuring nine games Friday, seven on Saturday, and another seven on Sunday. To get you prepared, here are the best betting angles to keep in your back pocket.

Friday

Memphis Grizzlies at Los Angeles Lakers (-11, 234.5)

Memphis is on the second leg of back-to-back games? Sign me up for the over.

The Grizzlies have cashed six of seven this season when playing on zero days of rest, with the lone loss a half-point defeat. Memphis is allowing an average of 115 points per game in this spot while scoring 119.7 points.

This will be the first back-to-back for the squad in more than three weeks. The Grizzlies have also cashed six of their last seven overs when playing as visitors, and 11 of the last 15 when they're underdogs.

Dallas Mavericks at Orlando Magic (+4, 220)

The Mavericks have been a treasure trove for bettors when playing on the road, going 20-6 against the spread and 13-3-1 over their last 17 as road favorites.

Meanwhile, the Magic are trending down. Orlando is just 2-9 ATS over its last 11 games, 1-6 ATS during the team's last seven at home, and the Magic haven't cashed as an underdog in each of their last six tries. Lay the short number on the road favorite.

Cleveland Cavaliers at Washington Wizards (-6, 236.5)

Don't let this total intimidate you. The Wizards and Cavaliers possess two of the worst defensive units in basketball, and they can get up and down the court in a hurry.

Cleveland is trending over the total while hitting 15 of its last 21 overall, and 10 of the last 12 against teams with a winning percentage below .400. Teams with winning percentages below .400 go over the total 60% of the time in their first game after the All-Star break, according to Bangthebook's Alex Christenson.

Saturday

Philadelphia 76ers at Milwaukee Bucks (NA)

You have to really swallow your pride if you're betting the 76ers on the road this season. Philly's been dismal in this spot while covering just once in its last 11 games away from home.

Meanwhile, Milwaukee has been red-hot, covering each of its last six games as a favorite.

Phoenix Suns at Chicago Bulls (NA)

Phoenix's roster is the youngest in the NBA. With that comes learning curves, such as how to properly play defense on the second leg of a back-to-back. Unfortunately, the Suns are still figuring that out.

The Suns' opponents are 8-0 to the team total over when Phoenix is on zero days' rest, and the Suns are allowing a whopping 121.6 points per game during that span. Chicago is coming off a poor offensive showing against Charlotte in its first game back from the break, but the Bulls are in a perfect buy-low spot Saturday.

Sunday

New Orleans Pelicans at Golden State Warriors (NA)

It takes bravery to play a Pelicans under these days. Heading into the weekend, New Orleans is on an 18-3-1 run to the over and has hit nine of the last 10 away from home.

Indiana Pacers at Toronto Raptors (NA)

The Pacers and Raptors have met three times this season, with each game easily going over the total. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Toronto has also gone over the total in 12 of its previous 16 games, and in each of the Raptors' last five at home.

Alex Kolodziej is a betting writer for theScore. He's a graduate of Eastern Illinois who has been involved in the sports betting industry for 12 years. He can quote every line from "Rounders" and appreciates franchises that regularly wear alternate jerseys. Find him on Twitter @AJKolodziej.

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