Sports betting sees a busy Friday with college football and NBA games in play, featuring a special offer from DraftKings for new users: a chance to earn $200 in bonus bets if their first $5 bet wins. The day includes a College Football Bowl tripleheader and nine NBA games, with SportsLine’s advanced computer models highlighting the best bets across both sports. According to the model, UTSA is favored by 7 points over FIU in the First Responder Bowl at 8 p.m. ET, while the Portland Trail Blazers are predicted to upset the Los Angeles Clippers in the 10 p.m. ET NBA game on DraftKings Sportsbook.
One of SportsLine’s top analysts also presents a Heat vs. Hawks pick as part of DraftKings’ Friday Best Bets contest starting at 7 p.m. ET. New users who claim the latest DraftKings promo code can earn $200 in bonus bets if their first $5 bet wins.
The SportsLine model runs 10,000 simulations per NBA game and has generated over $10,000 in returns on $100 player bets for top-rated NBA picks across the last eight seasons. Entering Week 10 of the 2025-26 NBA season, the model boasts a strong 30-14 record on top-rated spread picks dating back to last season—proof that following these picks could lead to significant profits.
Friday’s top bets at DraftKings Sportsbook include:
– Hawks winning over the Heat with odds of -155
– UTSA favored by 7 points against FIU
– Trail Blazers as +124 underdogs over the Clippers
Placing a parlay bet on these three picks yields a potential payout of +577 (risk $100 to win $577).
For the Hawks vs. Heat, expert Matt Severance notes it’s surprising how poorly the Hawks have played recently—without Trae Young—while Miami’s Bam Adebayo may sit out due to the team’s back-to-back games. The Heat remain weakened without Tyler Herro, making the Hawks a promising pick.
In the UTSA vs. FIU matchup, UTSA’s strong offense is highlighted, led by quarterback Owen McCown, who has impressive stats and a football pedigree as the son of former NFL QB Josh McCown. Running back Robert Henry Jr. also adds strength, leading the model to predict UTSA will cover the spread in 63% of simulations.
Despite the Clippers’ star duo James Harden and Kawhi Leonard, their disappointing 8-21 start to the season contrasts with Portland’s home advantage. The Trail Blazers have been solid at home recently, while the Clippers struggle on the road. The model forecasts Portland to win 62% of simulations, making the +124 odds an attractive pick.
For those wanting more picks across college football and the NBA on Friday, SportsLine offers spreads, totals, and moneyline advice for all games, leveraging thousands of simulations per matchup.
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Fan Take: This roundup not only highlights key matchups but also showcases how data-driven models are revolutionizing sports betting. For basketball fans, these insights could transform casual viewing into a more engaging experience with informed wagering opportunities that potentially enhance the excitement of the game.
