NBA Betting Tips: Celtics and Sixers meet for Eastern Conference showdown

We're back for more NBA action on Friday night, with six games taking place, and we've picked out our best bets for the upcoming matches.

76ers @ Celtics - 76ers (+6.5) @ 10/11

A huge Eastern Conference clash this one, as the Boston Celtics host the Philadelphia 76ers.

The C's currently sit top of the East with a season record of 14-4, while the Sixers are in fourth spot and are currently 12-6 for the campaign.

Philly currently rank first in the NBA for offensive rating, which essentially means they have the best attack in basketball at the moment, although that still wasn't enough to beat New Orleans last time out.

Boston are the best defensive team in the NBA coming into this game, ranking first for defensive rating, and they enjoyed a 27-point statement victory over Chicago last time out. However, they could be without Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday for this matchup, which would weaken them significantly on the defensive end.

At +6.5, I feel there is enough breathing room for a Philly cover, especially if both Porzingis and Holiday don't play.

Grizzlies @ Mavericks - Mavericks (-10.5) @ EVS

The Memphis Grizzlies make the trip to Dallas to face the Mavericks at the American Airline Center.

Memphis desperately needed a win and got one against Utah last time out to lift themselves off the bottom of the Western Conference standings, but I think they'll have their work cut out here trying to stop this free-scoring Dallas offense.

Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving are one of the best backcourts in the league, combining for 68 points against the Houston Rockets on Wednesday and they can take advantage of a woeful Memphis defense that has struggled all season on the road.

I'm expecting a blowout win for the hosts.

Knicks @ Raptors - Knicks (+1.5) @ 10/11

The Raptors are looking to build on an impressive win over the Phoenix Suns when they welcome the New York Knicks to the Scotiabank Arena on Friday night.

Toronto ended Phoenix's seven-game win streak with a 112-105 triumph on Wednesday, while the Knicks needed 42 points from Jalen Brunson to scrape past the lowly Detroit Pistons on Thursday.

Both these teams expect to be battling for playoff position come the end of the season, and there's only two wins separating the sides in the Eastern Conference standings.

I think New York have more scoring depth than their opponents here, and they've enjoyed great success against teams with a losing record - after defeating the Pistons last time out, that took their record to 9-0 against sides below .500.

Check out the rest of our NBA Betting Tips here.