2024 NBA bets, lines and stats for Friday - ESPN

Bettors have a slate of eight games to choose from in the NBA on Friday night. The game that most interests me is the Oklahoma City Thunder against the New Orleans Pelicans in the Crescent City. The Thunder enter action just a half-game back of the top spot in the Western Conference, and the Pelicans sit in the sixth position. With that said, let's dive into my recommendations for Friday.

Chet Holmgren over 17.5 points and assists. Holmgren has eclipsed this line in six of his past 10 games and has played 31.0 minutes per game over that stretch. The Pelicans rank ninth in points allowed per 100 possessions on defense. Holmgren has a usage rate of 21.1% this season and should be involved enough to surpass this line.

Jonas Valanciunas over 24.5 points, rebounds and assists. Valanciunas has gone over this mark in three of his past five games. The Thunder allow the fifth-most rebounds and seventh-most assists to centers this season, which puts Valanciunas in a great spot. Valanciunas finished with 19.0 points, 9.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists against Oklahoma City back on Nov. 1.

Brandon Miller over 25.5 points, rebounds and assists. You shouldn't let a Rockets team that ranks seventh in points allowed per 100 possessions put you off this prop. Miller has been phenomenal and has surpassed this line while playing at least 29 minutes in four consecutive games. The Hornets are only 5.5-point underdogs, so I expect this game to be competitive from start to finish.

Kawhi Leonard over 10.5 assists and rebounds. Leonard's line seems low for a player of his caliber. He accumulated 10 assists and 11 rebounds against the Lakers on Tuesday night and has averaged 4.0 assists and 6.2 rebounds per game this season in 34.7 minutes. Leonard has