NBA Odds, Picks & Predictions: Friday (11/15)
It’s night two of the NBA Cup, and there are great games. Both featured matchups include the top two teams in the league as they continue to fortify their dominance.
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Friday's Best NBA Picks
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Phoenix Suns at Oklahoma City Thunder (-7.5) | O/U 226 (-110/-110)
The Suns' first game without Kevin went as expected; they couldn't score. They only put up 104 against a Kings defense that allows 112.5 per game. However, it wasn’t just Durant out of the lineup; Bradley Beal and Jusuf Nurkic were also sidelined. Beal will miss this game, while Nurkic is a game-time decision.
When Devin Booker goes just 6-for-16 without his stars, you're likely not winning. The team rotated a lot of players, especially in the second half, and Josh Okogie emerged as the notable one, scoring 25 points in 28 minutes off the bench.
Now they run into the best defense and the arguably best team in the league. The Thunder have had a great start to the year at 10-2, with their only losses coming from two of the last three NBA champions (Denver and Golden State).
They are just 0.1 points behind Orlando in points allowed per game (103.8), but when you dive deeper, they have the best defensive efficiency (0.988). They will also play down a star in Chet Holmgren but will have their top scorer, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, averaging 37 points since Holmgren has been out.
Phoenix’s offense will need time to gel without some key players, but it won’t happen against this defense.
Pick: Thunder -7.5 (-112)
Chicago Bulls at Cleveland Cavaliers (-10.5) | O/U 236.5 (-112/-108)
The Cavaliers are off to their best start since 2015. The last remaining undefeated team is doing things differently than in previous years. While defense was their strong suit, it has taken a back seat to offense. Last year, they ranked 20th in offensive efficiency (1.016); this year, they are first (1.183), with four starters averaging double-digit points along with two bench players.
The Bulls were sellers in the offseason, and one of their best players is injured. They started the season playing well against some bad teams, but they are on a huge slide, dropping five of their last seven. In their previous matchup, percentage-wise, Chicago was better on the floor (49.4-to-44.3), but they let Cleveland get to the free line too many times, which was the difference maker.
That game might have taken the Cavs a little by surprise, but they’ll be ready and roll to a double-digit win tonight.
Pick: Cavaliers -10.5 (-108)