Hornets continue drive towards first ever Southeast Division crown

Detroit kicked off a four-game road trip with a 102-96 win in Dallas on Wednesday, their second straight SU and ATS victory and sixth in their past eight outings, but have been unable to gain momentum on the road, posting consecutive away victories just once since Christmas, going 7-12 SU, 7-11-1 ATS.

Hornets romped to a 104-84 win as 2.5-point chalk in Detroit’s most recent visit in early December, improving to 6-2 SU and ATS over their past eight meetings, including a 3-1 SU and ATS in the Pistons’ past four visits.

Miami Heat (-3.5) @ Chicago Bulls

While Charlotte try to close the gap on Miami, Pistons will be looking for a little help from Heat, who visit Bulls on Friday as 3.5-point favourites in American basketball betting at Coral.

It has been a disappointing 2016 for Chicago, as they have fallen out of the playoff picture after dropping 19 of their past 29 games.

But, the Bulls (20/1 outsiders to win the Eastern Conference) have been strong performers on the hardwood at United Center, winning five of their past six SU and ATS. They also put up a valiant effort in Thursday night’s 109-101 loss in San Antonio, covering as 14.5-point underdogs in a game they kept close until late in the 4th quarter.

Heat saw a five-game SU win streak come to an end on Wednesday with a 114-108 loss in Milwaukee, but remain an impressive 14-6 SU over the past 20, and have been a solid road bet, going 8-3 ATS over their past 11 away from South Beach.

Miami have also held the upper hand in recent meetings with Bulls, SU winners in three of their past four, including their two most recent visits to the Windy City.

Celtics, Warriors look to extend home winning streaks

In other NBA betting action at Coral on Friday night, Boston Celtics will try to extend their current home SU win streak to 15 games as they host Houston Rockets as 5.5-point chalk, and Brooklyn Nets travel to Philadelphia for a Futility Bowl matchup with the Sixers as 3.5-point favourites.

Out west, Golden State Warriors gun for their 47th straight SU win at home when they host the surging Portland Trail Blazers as big 12.5-point favourites, while the struggling Oklahoma City Thunder take on the visiting Minnesota Timberwolves, also as 12.5-point favourites.

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