Hoops and buckets scored in bunches. That’s the NBA for you. Action ensues and the Monday night slate offers a 9-game platter that features a showdown of ambitious upstarts who historically have been dynasties. The San Antonio Spurs travel to the Chicago Bulls to headline the slate. Plus, we have the “LeBron James Cup” between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat.
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 on Monday, November 10.
Lakers vs Hornets best bet: Hornets +7.5 (-110)
Odds available at bet365 at time of publishing
The Hornets are a team that need no introduction at this point, they too, are on their way to become a basement dweller. The Lakers? Well, despite the many adversities they have encountered, they are still finding ways to win. This is a potent look-ahead spot with the Thunder on deck on Wednesday and in such circumstances, value is often borne on the overlooked home underdog like the Charlotte is here. Hornets plus points.
Read our full Lakers vs Hornets prediction
Trail Blazers vs Magic best bet: Under 236.5 (-110)
Odds available at DraftKings Sportsbook at time of publishing
Both these teams are known for their defensive posture, so why there is an offensive connotation to this contest? Orlando is notorious for engaging in rock fights, while Portland has scored more than 122 in just 3 of its games this season. The Magic aren’t going to let the Blazers score at will, that much is sure — and in Orlando, no less, the task is that greater. The question is whether or not Orlando will break the 120 threshold despite averaging 116 points per game. The Magic probably won’t. The Under here is a tremendous option tonight.
Wizards vs Pistons best bet: Wizards +11.5 (-105)
Odds available at FanDuel Sportsbook at time of publishing
Backing Washington right now feels daunting — but that’s exactly why the Wiz are the right side. They are 1-9 both SU and ATS, meaning the market has faded them relentlessly. Oddsmakers have now inflated their spreads to the point where Washington is getting tax-sized cushions just to attract any bets at all. Washington will eventually correct. No team fails to cover indefinitely or gets priced this badly without the market eventually overshooting. Detroit is certainly capable of falling prey to such a fate. I’ll continue taking the points until that correction hits.
Read our full Wizards vs Pistons prediction
Cavaliers vs Heat best bet: Cavaliers -8 (-110)
Odds available at FanDuel Sportsbook at time of publishing
The “LeBron James Cup” comes to South Beach. Cleveland finds itself being heavily faded in this contest because Miami with points at home when they are undefeated seems irresistible. The same phenomenon exists with the Bulls today, but we’ll get to that later on. The Over/Under in this game is 246.5. Yes, you read that correctly. If this is a game to lends to offense, Cleveland has the wherewithal, shooters and rotations to make the most of that scenario. Should that be the case, the Cavs can easily cover this number.
Spurs vs Bulls best bet: Spurs -3.5 (-110)
Odds available at DraftKings Sportsbook at time of publishing
Do the Bulls look too easy here? I’d say so. Chicago is 5-0 at home this season. The Bulls have also won the last 6 meetings between both parties and covered in five of them. The Bulls are also a sensational 6-2-1 against the spread on the season. Someone explain to us how the Spurs are favored. They are just a .500 basketball team on the road. But here is the thing about Chicago: it doesn’t play defense. And what happens when you don’t play defense? Victor Wembanyama, who already seems unstoppable, is set to run wild in the interior. If Wemby goes off for 30 and bags 12 boards, the supporting staff will start to heat up too and Chicago will have no answer. Spurs or nothing.
Read our full Spurs vs Bulls prediction
Bucks vs Mavericks best bet: Mavericks ML (+105)
Odds available at Bet365 Sportsbook at time of publishing
Circle this one. The truth is that this is a buy-low moment on Dallas even if it looks otherwise. Milwaukee’s past dominance is already baked into the line; Dallas’s early-season struggles have also played a role in the pricing here. Rest advantage sits with the Mavericks, urgency sits with the Mavericks, and the price is giving away the lesson: this is not Milwaukee’s spot. If anything, Dallas would be favored had all the trends not worked against them of late. Mavs outright.
Read our full Bucks vs Mavericks prediction
Pelicans vs Suns best bet: Under 229 (-110)
Odds available at FanDuel Sportsbook at time of publishing
This seems like the kind of spot where the Under seems academic. With the Pelicans, we don’t know what we get offensively and Phoenix’s defense isn’t too shabby giving up just 116 points per game. New Orleans has scored more than 116 twice this season and we’ve seen a litany of double-digit performances from them already this season. On an average night, Phoenix looks good for about 115 and the Pelicans give up 121 points per game defensively (one of the worst in the NBA). For the Over to hit, both teams’ defenses would have to perform to expectation — but the Pels are way too inconsistent offensively to trust here against a club that can offer resistance.
Timberwolves vs Jazz best bet: Over 234 (-110)
Odds available at FanDuel Sportsbook at time of publishing
This is the type of setup that can easily go over. First, Minnesota’s offense is averaging more than 120 points per game — while the Jazz defensively match those numbers. That’s one piece of the puzzle. Let’s look at how the Notes stack up to the Wolves on the other side of the court. Minnesota’s defense is stout, giving up 116 per contest, while Utah scores just 112 per contest. But here is the thing: Utah’s physical presence creates second chances, as they are among the top 5 in total rebounding. Meanwhile, defensive rebounding isn’t Minnesota’s forte. This translates to Utah perhaps exceeding their average by a bucket or 2 and that’s all we need to get home. Grab the Over.
Hawks vs Clippers best bet: Clippers -4 (-110)
Odds available at DraftKings Sportsbook at time of publishing
The Clippers have been awful at the window — 4 straight losses and just 1 cover all season. The market has punished them accordingly. Atlanta, meanwhile, has looked sharp with big wins over the Lakers and Magic. If L.A. weren’t slumping, this would be a double-digit spread. This, ladies and gentlemen, is an underlay — created only because the Clippers have been burning tickets. Atlanta is still a .500 club — nothing more. The Clippers are erratic, but their best basketball always shows up in their own building. We’ll take our chances in Inglewood tonight in a true buy-low spot on the Clips.
Check out our Hawks vs Clippers prediction
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