ESPN Odds: Suns-Hawks, Magic-Blazers Picks

It's the Phoenix Suns vs. Atlanta Hawks followed by the Orlando Magic vs. Portland Trail Blazers on ESPN.

Super handicapper Matt Rivers has a free winner for Friday. It's to go with the Phoenix Suns plus the points on ESPN. According to BetUs Sportsbook, they are getting five-points from the Atlanta Hawks. Here is Rivers' rationale:   
 
Obviously I don't like this Friday slate but will give out a comp play which actually is my favorite play on the board for the day.
 
The 25-13 Hawks have proven a lot this season in just beating the Celtics alone all three times. I do not doubt Mike Woodson's 15-4 squad at Philips Arena but to get a handful of points with Steve Nash and Amare Stoudemire after the embarrassing last game defeat in Indiana is worth a go.
 
More times than not NBA teams that blow a big lead or lay an egg in a game seem to come together in the next game and play very well. That is the case here with Phoenix as they just inexplicably blew a 24 point lead to the Pacers in a bad loss.
 
Joe Johnson does lead the way for the Hawks who have become a semi legitimate contender in the East but I say semi for a reason. Atlanta is still not on the level of Cleveland, Orlando or even Boston even with the trio of victories against the Celtics and I can't help but look at the high flying Suns as the still better team or at the very worst even with the Hawks.
 
Nash is a warrior who came back from all of the blood in that last game and will be able to run the floor and play his game against an Atlanta team that will not mind playing an up-tempo game. This could play into the hands of the visitors as Phoenix certainly feels comfortable getting up and down.
 
Obviously this is far from the lock of my life but the price is certainly right here on the Suns as they look to get back on the horse after the debacle in Indianapolis.

The second game on ESPN comes from Shea Matthews of ScoresOddsPicks.com  

Magic (26-13) vs Trail Blazers (24-16)

Tough choice at the Rose Garden, as the Blazers are 11-2 ATS in their last 13 Friday games. But Orlando has won six of the last seven meetings and plays well on the road. I like the more mature Magic to pull a little upset here.

Pick: Magic -4.5 at Bodog

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