A compact slate of four NBA games on Friday highlights competitive matchups, but several key players are sidelined due to injuries, opening opportunities for reserves. The Indiana Pacers host the New Orleans Pelicans in a high-scoring potential affair, while the Cleveland Cavaliers face the Philadelphia 76ers without Darius Garland. Analysts point to players like T.J. McConnell and Jay Huff as potential standouts amid the absences.
Friday's NBA action features four games starting at 7 p.m. ET: New Orleans Pelicans at Indiana Pacers (Pacers -3, O/U 238.5), Cleveland Cavaliers at Philadelphia 76ers (76ers -1.5, O/U 235.5), Los Angeles Clippers at Toronto Raptors (Clippers -2, O/U 215.5), and Chicago Bulls at Brooklyn Nets (Nets -1, O/U 225.5). Injuries are shaping lineups across the league.
Darius Garland (toe) is out for the Cavaliers, potentially boosting Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley in usage against the 76ers, where Joel Embiid and Paul George are probable despite knee concerns. RJ Barrett (ankle) and Jakob Poeltl (back) are out for the Raptors, with Immanuel Quickley questionable (back), forcing Scottie Barnes to shoulder more load versus the Clippers, where Kawhi Leonard (ankle) and Ivica Zubac (ankle) are both questionable. Josh Giddey (hamstring) sits for the Bulls, while Bennedict Mathurin (thumb) is out for the Pacers. Other notables out include Sam Merrill (hand, Cavaliers), Jose Alvarado (oblique), Dejounte Murray (leg), Isaiah Jackson (concussion), Zach Collins (toe), Bogdan Bogdanovic (hamstring), and Anthony Edwards (foot).
For the Pacers-Pelicans matchup, T.J. McConnell has been key in Indiana's three wins in their last four games, averaging 10 points, 4.9 assists, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.2 steals in 17.4 minutes across 29 bench appearances this season, shooting 53.8% from the field. Center Jay Huff, a fourth-year veteran averaging 8.4 points in 41 games (22 starts), recently scored 20 points with three rebounds and two assists in a 98-96 win over Boston on Monday, and 20 points with two each of rebounds and assists in a January 6 loss to Cleveland. The Pelicans rank 28th in scoring defense, allowing 122.2 points per game, which could favor Indiana's bigs.
In betting angles, Andrew Nembhard has averaged 8.4 assists over his last seven games, facing a Pelicans defense yielding the third-most assists (28.4) per 48 minutes recently. Coby White struggles from three (31.5% on 2.1 makes per game), and the Nets limit above-the-break attempts. Hawks rookie Collin Murray-Boyles, starting lately, averages 9.3 rebounds over his last six games (nearly 32 minutes), targeting the Clippers' weak offensive rebounding defense.
These absences create uncertainty, but stars like Tyrese Maxey, James Harden, and Mitchell remain focal points for high-output potential.
