After four NBA Matches for NBA Thursday, there are eight games to look forward to for NBA Friday.
The Miami Heat head to Orlando to take on the Orlando Magic. In Atlanta, Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets will tackle Trae Young and the Hawks.
The Golden State Warriors will head to Boston to take on the Celtics, Milwaukee heads to New Orleans, and the Spurs head to Utah for a matchup with the Utah Jazz.
The three late games feature the Lakers @ Timberwolves, Hornets @ Trailblazers and the Grizzlies take on the Kings.
Another big day of NBA Action.
Here are some Free NBA Picks for Friday, December the 17th 2021
Be sure to check back before each NBA Slate for Free NBA Picks, NBA Picks Today, NBA Picks Tonight, NBA Head to Head Picks, Free Expert NBA Picks, Free NBA Predictions and NBA Game Previews for NBA Matches.
A Star Rating is used to show the confidence level of each Head to Head NBA Match Prediction.
⭐ = A Tough Match to Pick
⭐⭐ = A Decent Chance
⭐⭐⭐ = Should Get the Win
Miami Heat @ Orlando Magic
Venue – Anway Center
Tip Off – 7pm EST
Season Record W/L
| Team | Win/Loss | Home | Away | Last 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miami | 17-12 | 8-4 | 9-8 | 5-5 |
| Orlando | 5-24 | 2-9 | 3-15 | 1-9 |
Season Points Averages
| Team | PPG | OPP PPG | Game Total Ave |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miami | 106.9 | 103.8 | 210.7 |
| Orlando | 101.3 | 111.8 | 213.1 |
Prediction
The Miami Heat are coming off a big win against the 76ers with some key players out and come up against a Magic side that has lost 16 of its last 18 matches.
Tyler Herro might be back in for this match, and the Heat have won seven out of their last ten against the Magic. The Magic have been struggling, and the Heat should still win this one, despite the injuries to key personnel.
Prediction – Miami Heat (Win) ⭐⭐
Denver Nuggets @ Atlanta Hawks
Venue – State Farm Arena
Tip Off – 7.30pm EST
Season Record W/L
| Team | Win/Loss | Home | Away | Last 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denver | 14-14 | 8-5 | 6-9 | 5-5 |
| Atlanta | 14-14 | 8-6 | 6-8 | 5-5 |
Season Points Averages
| Team | PPG | OPP PPG | Game Total Ave |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denver | 105.9 | 106.2 | 212.2 |
| Atlanta | 111.4 | 109.1 | 220.5 |
Prediction
The Nuggets are coming off a poor performance against the Wolves, and the Hawks made easy work of the lowly Magic side. Denver has had its troubles on the road this season, but the Hawks have won just three of their last eight games.
This is a tough match to pick, but the home side may very well get it done.
Prediction – Atlanta Hawks (Win) ⭐
Golden State Warriors @ Boston Cletics
Venue – TD Garden
Tip Off – 7.30pm EST
Season Record W/L
| Team | Win/Loss | Home | Away | Last 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Golden State | 23-5 | 14-2 | 9-3 | 7-3 |
| Boston | 14-14 | 7-4 | 7-10 | 4-6 |
Season Points Averages
| Team | PPG | OPP PPG | Game Total Ave |
|---|---|---|---|
| Golden State | 111.8 | 100.2 | 212.0 |
| Boston | 108.3 | 107.2 | 215.5 |
Prediction
The Celtics are coming off a big win to the Bucks, and their confidence will be high, having defeated the Warriors 5 consecutive times.
This might be a match for the Celtics to get something going, and they have the home-court advantage, but a challenging game to split against Steph Curry and the Warriors.
Prediction – Boston Celtics (Win) ⭐
Milwaukee Bucks @ New Orleans Pelicans
Venue – Smoothie King Center
Tip Off – 8pm EST
Season Record W/L
| Team | Win/Loss | Home | Away | Last 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee | 19-11 | 10-4 | 9-7 | 7-3 |
| New Orleans | 9-21 | 4-9 | 5-12 | 5-5 |
Season Points Averages
| Team | PPG | OPP PPG | Game Total Ave |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee | 110.6 | 106.6 | 217.2 |
| New Orleans | 104.0 | 109.9 | 213.9 |
Prediction
No Giannis for the Bucks in this clash, and the Pelicans are coming off a huge buzzer-beating win against the Thunder. They may fancy themselves with the Bucks missing their superstar and should be competitive in this clash.
New Orleans is a sneaky chance at home.
Prediction – New Orleans Pelicans (Win) ⭐
San Antonio Spurs @ Utah Jazz
Venue – Vivint Arena
Tip Off – 9pm EST
Season Record W/L
| Team | Win/Loss | Home | Away | Last 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Antonio | 10-17 | 6-9 | 4-8 | 6-4 |
| Utah | 20-7 | 10-4 | 10-3 | 9-1 |
Season Points Averages
| Team | PPG | OPP PPG | Game Total Ave |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Antonio | 108.8 | 109.5 | 218.3 |
| Utah | 115.6 | 104.1 | 219.7 |
Prediction
The Jazz has won 12 out of their last 14 matches and will be looking for their 9th straight win. They are playing good team basketball and will be tough to beat. The Spurs occasionally have decent nights and may be a threat, but the Jazz should get it done at home.
Prediction – Utah Jazz (Win) ⭐⭐
Los Angeles Lakers @ Minnesota Timberwolves
Venue – Target Center
Tip Off – 10pm EST
Season Record W/L
| Team | Win/Loss | Home | Away | Last 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | 16-13 | 10-7 | 6-6 | 7-3 |
| Minnesota | 13-15 | 7-9 | 6-6 | 4-6 |
Season Points Averages
| Team | PPG | OPP PPG | Game Total Ave |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | 111.1 | 111.2 | 222.3 |
| Minnesota | 108.6 | 109.3 | 217.9 |
Prediction
The Lakers will be without many players in this clash, but Lebron James and Anthony Davis are still probable, which means they are always a threat.
They will be going for their 4th straight win and have won 4 out of the last 5 to the Timberwolves, but the Timberwolves have been decent over the last two games. The Wolves are coming off wins to Portland and Denver, and will make it tough for the Lakers.
The Timberwolves to get it done at home in another problematic game to split.
Prediction – Minnesota Timberwolves (Win) ⭐
Charlotte Hornets @ Portland Trailblazers
Venue – Moda Center
Tip Off – 10pm EST
Season Record W/L
| Team | Win/Loss | Home | Away | Last 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte | 16-14 | 8-4 | 8-10 | 4-6 |
| Portland | 11-18 | 10-7 | 1-11 | 1-9 |
Season Points Averages
| Team | PPG | OPP PPG | Game Total Ave |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte | 115.6 | 116.4 | 232.0 |
| Portland | 108.0 | 111.2 | 219.2 |
Prediction
The TrailBlazers have lost 10 out of their last 11 matches and have been struggling. They take on a Hornets side that may get Lamelo Ball back for this clash and could be dangerous.
The Hornets may be too strong in this one, but are no certainty
Prediction – Charlotte Hornets (Win) ⭐
Memphis Grizzlies @ Sacramento Kings
Venue – Golden 1 Center
Tip Off – 10pm EST
Season Record W/L
| Team | Win/Loss | Home | Away | Last 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Memphis | 18-11 | 11-6 | 7-5 | 9-1 |
| Sacramento | 12-17 | 6-8 | 6-9 | 5-5 |
Season Points Averages
| Team | PPG | OPP PPG | Game Total Ave |
|---|---|---|---|
| Memphis | 111.1 | 109.0 | 220.1 |
| Sacramento | 111.1 | 114.0 | 225.1 |
Prediction
The Memphis Grizzlies have won 9 out of their last 10 matches, and that has been without their star Ja Morant for the majority. Sacramento did find some form in their win against Washington a couple of nights back and will be confident in this one.
Another challenging game to pick, but the Grizzlies surely can’t keep winning.
Prediction – Sacramento Kings (Win) ⭐
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