NBA Friday best bets: Can Raptors take down Hornets?

We're back to a full slate of hoops as 26 teams take the floor Friday night. Let's finish the week strong with our best bets.

Hawks @ Sixers (-7.5,O/U 241)

This is a matchup between two of the league's top-five offenses and struggling defenses. The Hawks average the second-most points per game, and the Sixers average the fourth-most. Atlanta is also third in pace.

However, the Hawks have the NBA's fifth-worst defensive rating. Their formula is to shoot a lot, score frequently, and play little-to-no defense. It's not exactly a winning recipe and has led them to a 9-11 record.

The Sixers' defensive rating is around league average. The game total has gone over in 70% of Sixers games and 60% of Hawks games.

Pick: Over 241

Grizzlies team total: Under 104.5

The Grizzlies rank second-last in points per game and have the third-worst offensive rating. They're tasked with playing the NBA's best defense Friday night.

The Timberwolves hold teams to 105.3 points per game, but Memphis' final point total should be way below that with a putrid offense. When these teams met a couple of weeks ago, the Grizzlies scored 97 points in a 22-point loss.

They're coming off a victory over the two-win Pistons but are still 6-14 on the season. Memphis has five more games until Ja Morant returns from suspension and attempts to turn around a seemingly lost season.

Odds: -120 (playable to -130)

Raptors @ Hornets (+5.5, O/U 222.5)

The Hornets may not have the league's worst record, but they own its worst defensive rating. With LaMelo Ball's extended absence, they're the NBA's worst team.

The Raptors aren't anything special. They're an average - at best - team, but their talent far exceeds Charlotte's. In the last six games, they have wins over the Bulls and Suns. The Hornets have lost four of their last five.

This line opened at 4 and continues to climb in the Raptors' favor, so grab it while you can.

Pick: Raptors -5.5

Duncan Robinson: Over 14.5 points

After getting benched during last year's playoff run, Robinson has evolved into a complete player. He's still an elite 3-point shooter and is now averaging a career-high 2.9 assists. It's opening up his entire game and allowing him to play some of the best basketball of his career at a time when the Heat desperately need it.

Robinson scored at least 15 points in eight of the last 10 games. The Cavs have a strong perimeter defense, but Robinson attempts the third-most field goals on the Heat among active players. He'll undoubtedly find shots. If he hits them at the rate he has been, he should soar past 15 points.

Odds: -125 (playable to -140)

Sam Oshtry is a sports betting writer at theScore. You can follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @soshtry for more betting coverage.