NBA on ESPN: Free Friday Night Basketball Predictions & Previews

LA Lakers @ Charlotte Bobcats (+3.5) (3-5: 7:00 PM ET): The Lakers went ahead and lost in an overtime game last night, and now they have to go up against a Bobcats team that is usually pretty good at home. I say usually because the Cats have been in a little slump and have seemingly slipped from that sure thing playoff picture they were a part of. Now they still have plenty of opportunities to get to the post-season, they’ll just have to turn that ship back around to get it done.

The Lakers aren’t only coming off the 2nd of a back to back, but and overtime loss to boot – in a game where Kobe went for 39 and shot the ball very well. If the Bobcats are going to get a huge win, a statement win against a good team that could get them moving forward again, this is the time. I like them to win at home, making the Bobcats at +3.5 a pretty solid bet in my eyes.

Golden State Warriors @ Atlanta Hawks (-13) (3-5: 7:30 PM ET): The Warriors have been blasted by good Eastern Conference teams, and I don’t see a reason why that won’t happen in Atlanta on Friday Night. Atlanta can really run with the best of them, and they are very solid defensively as well. They are just efficient, something Golden State is not.

Now, the Warriors can come out hot as can be and stick with Atlanta, or anybody in the league for that matter – I mean, when they are hitting it, this team has no conscience. But chances of that happening are low, especially because the Hawks out-athlete the Warriors at almost every position and they are better basketball players to boot. 13 is a lot, but I have to run with the Hawks at home.