Thanksgiving weekend has come and gone, but the NBA carries on. Sounds poetic, right? Tonight’s slate features a 9-game spread headlined by yet another renewal of one the Central Division’s potent rivalries. The Indiana Pacers mix it up with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Also notable tilts, include Mavs vs Nuggets, Clippers vs Heat and Hawks vs Pistons.
You can find out our NBA picks for all of tonight’s matchups along with EVERY GAME this season. But for now, here are our expert NBA best bets for every game featured on Monday, December 1.
Hawks vs Pistons best bet: Hawks +9.5 (-110)
Odds available at FanDuel Sportsbook at time of publishing
The Pistons remain the headline of the Eastern Conference as their renaissance has been nothing short of artistic. Detroit, despite the shiny record and its accelerating curb appeal, is all the more prone to be overvalued the more it continues to roll. The thing is, the Pistons aren’t a team known for defensive acumen and can easily get into shootouts. Laying this kind of lumber against a team with the potency of Atlanta is ill-advised. Grab the points.
Read our full Hawks vs Pistons prediction
Cavaliers vs Pacers best bet: Pacers +6.5
Odds available at DraftKings Sportsbook at time of publishing
First thing that stands out is the line itself — it seems a little low. The Cavaliers are very much in the fray when it comes to the Eastern Conference frontrunners, while the Pacers have been a shell of their former selves. This looks like an easily beatable number, but we would urge all to pump the brakes. Cleveland is 4-5 on the road this season. The Cavs also live and die by tempo and shooting from beyond the arc. Both of these approaches, if they don’t fare well, could lead to disaster. In a rivalry game in which Indiana has nothing to lose, this is the perfect spot to grab the home ‘dog that can pull off the upset outright. The line all but says it.
Read our full Cavaliers vs Pacers prediction
Bucks vs Wizards best bet: Wizards +9 (-110)
Odds available at FanDuel Sportsbook at time of publishing
Washington is nestled comfortably at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings, appearing every bet the speed bump that a team like the Deer should gallop over. We have said before that the Wizards almost certainly are taking back an inflated number in most games that they participate in, and this is no exception. This is especially the case with Milwaukee winning 9 of the last 10 meetings. The Wizards can hang around here, though. The Bucks are 3-6 on the road and Washington will come into this game free and loose. Just the type of underdog that we like to back with enhanced points in our back pocket.
Bulls vs Magic best bet: Magic -8.5 (-110)
Odds available at Bet365 Sportsbook at time of publishing
This is a bad spot for Chicago. The Bulls are a team that loves to shoot the 3 and Orlando is good at defending it. Add in the physical edge on the glass and the home-court advantage — which the Magic enjoy — and this has the makings of a rout. Orlando’s offense? Usually not a standout outfit. However, the Bulls sit 28th overall in field goals made against and 29th in field-goal attempts against. Translation: Orlando will get its looks and capitalize. Throw in the defensive prowess that the Magic love to lean into and the Bulls will find themselves in shark-infested waters fast. Lay the points.
Read our full Bulls vs Magic prediction
Hornets vs Nets best bet: Nets +170
Odds available at DraftKings Sportsbook at time of publishing
Brooklyn has yet to win a game at home this season. The Nets are 0-9 in Brooklyn. Geez. But if there was an opportunity for the BK to get on the board finally, this is it. The Hornets are 1-8 away from Charlotte and the only reason they are favored here is because Brooklyn’s reputation, stature and namesake is completely maligned. And yet this number seems a bit soft for a side that hasn’t shown any life in its own barn. Neither team is known for its defensive posture, which is why the total in this game is interesting — 228.5. A look at the Over would certainly be academic, but we like the Nets more to win because the matchup is conducive. Teams hit 50% of their field goals against the Hornets (28th in the NBA), which means Brooklyn will be able to get going. The Hornets defense also gives up over 120 points per game. Like we said, if Brooklyn is going to get a winnable matchup at home, this is it. Nets outright.
Clippers vs Heat best bet: Clippers +6 (-110)
Odds available at DraftKings Sportsbook at time of publishing
This is another interesting number. Let’s kick the data points. The Clippers are 5-15 both straight up and against the spread on the year. LA is also 2-8 on the road. And yet against the Heat — who are 9-2 at home, 13-7 SU, and 12-8 ATS — they are taking back only 2 possessions? That math does not commute. We’re playing the number here more than anything else, but the question is do the Clippers have a pathway to cover? Yes. In the trenches, the Clips are up against a Miami team that is 29th in rebounding — which translates to second chances for L.A. while mitigating those same opportunities for the Heat. That edge allows the Clippers to make things exciting. Grab the points.
Mavericks vs Nuggets best bet: Over 233.5 (-110)
Odds available at Bet365 at time of publishing
There are several avenues for this wager to hit. Dallas’ defense as we know is one that can bleed points. This sets up Denver to eclipse the 130-point mark, which it has in its last 2 outings. All we need would be for Dallas to score just 100 over points to get us home. Can that happen? Of course, it can. In 6 of their last 10 outings, the Mavs have scored 114 points or more. If the Nuggets cover the spread under that circumstance alone, we get over the total. Probably the only way this ticket doesn’t cash is if Dallas gets blasted by 30 and doesn’t break 100 points. That scenario is unlikely to happen against a Denver team that has given up 130 to Chicago and 128 to Sacramento in the Mile High City.
Rockets vs Jazz best bet: Houston -12 (-110)
Odds available at FanDuel Sportsbook at time of publishing
Is there a more complete team playing basketball right now than the Rockets? We don’t think so. Laying a big number on the road is not a best practice perhaps, but there are exceptions. Houston is the best rebounding team in the league is second in scoring defense (109.9 ppg). Against a Jazz team that gives up 125.4 points per game (29th in the NBA), Houston — which also scores nearly 122 per game — has the edges on both ends of the court to run away with this thing. The recipe for a blowout is a situation like this one, in which one team has no physical presence or defense to keep the game in range and the opponent can bully it in all phases. Rockets win this one going away.
Read our full Rockets vs Jazz prediction
Suns vs Lakers best bet: Suns +185
Odds available at DraftKings Sportsbook at time of publishing
The Lakers have caught fire. Seven straight wins. But context is key. The Lakers have beaten New Orleans twice, Utah twice, Dallas, the Clippers and Milwaukee over this run. In other words, 6 of the 7 wins have come against teams with losing records — and the Pels, Jazz and Mavs are known as cupcakes to many. Who have the Suns played in their last 6 games? Minnesota, Houston, San Antonio, at Sacramento, at Oklahoma City and Denver. When you remove the Kings, the Sun have played the playoff vanguard of the West and went 3-3 over those 6 contests. Strength of schedule is the determining factor and the Lakers aren’t superior to anything that the Suns have faced of late. Phoenix, however, at 12-9 is a threat and a step up in opposition. The Lakers don’t pass the test. Suns outright.
Read our full Suns vs Lakers prediction
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