Top NBA Odds, Picks & Predictions: Saturday (11/18)
We have a rather exciting slate of six games in the National Basketball Association on Saturday, including the Dallas Mavericks and Milwaukee Brewers facing each other on NBATV at 8 p.m. ET. After a 1-2 betting night Thursday, we’ll look to do a little better this time around. The lone winner was playing the Oklahoma City Thunder against the Golden State Warriors, and those two teams run it back in San Francisco for the second end of a back-to-back. Let’s get started!
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Saturday’s Best NBA Bets
Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook | All wagers are for 1 unit
New York Knicks at Charlotte Hornets
The Knicks (7-5) head down to Spectrum Center in Charlotte to tangle with the Hornets (3-8) in the first game of the evening at 6 p.m. ET.
Charlotte has dropped three straight games, while going 1-2 against the spread (ATS). That including a 129-107 loss at Madison Square Garden in the first meeting of the season against the Knicks in New York. The Hornets have dropped five of the past six games, too, while alternating non-covers and covers in each of the past six contests.
New York registered a 120-99 victory over the Washington Wizards in the nation’s capital on Friday night, and it now faces the quick turnaround. New York has won five of the past six games, and it is 5-1 ATS in that span, too.
There is concern on the Knicks side of things, as New York is 0-3 SU/ATS in the second end of a back-to-back. While they hammered the Hornets in the first meeting, that zero rest trend is alarming for potential Knicks bettors. The Knicks might finally get a win, but take the Hornets and the points.
Bets: Hornets +6.5 (-112)
Miami Heat at Chicago Bulls
The Heat steamrolled the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday, ending the stranglehold the Nets had on them in head-to-head series. Miami has now won seven in a row, and it has covered four of the past five outings.
The Bulls were swept in a two-game set in the Windy City by the Orlando Magic, and Chicago has lost three in a row, four of the past five outings, and seven of the previous nine contests, while going just 4-8-1 ATS overall on the season. The Bulls are just 2-5-1 ATS in eight home games to date, too.
While the Bulls have won and covered three of the past four meetings, the Heat is, pun totally intended, red hot, while the Bulls are icy cold after losing consecutive games to the lowly Magic. And in Chicago, Miami has won two of the past three meetings, with the Heat covering twice in the span.
The Heat are playing great basketball lately, and it’s rather surprising this number is so low. Take advantage.
Bet: Heat -3 (-110)
Memphis Grizzlies at San Antonio Spurs
It’s rather surprising that the Grizzlies are favored on the road against Victor Wenbanyama and the Spurs in their place.
Memphis hasn’t caught fire, and it’s only wins this season are in the second end of a back-to-back at Portland, and on the road against the disappointing Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday. The Grizz was pounded by the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night by a 134-107 score.
The Spurs are coming off a 129-120 loss against Sacramento, and San Antonio has dropped seven in a row, while covering just one of the games. But even though they’ve been ice cold, the Grizzlies have no business laying points to anybody, especially on the road.
In addition to backing the short ‘dogs at home, look to the Over, too. The total has gone high in eight of the past nine games for San Antonio, while the Over is 10-2 in 12 games overall. Defense has not been a hallmark for the Spurs, ranking 30th in the NBA in points allowed (124.5) and defensive field-goal percentage (50.2%), while checking in 29th in defensive 3-pointer percentage (40.5%).
For the Grizzlies, they’ve cashed the Over in five of the past eight games overall. It has struggled offensively, although it should be better against the Spurs. And defensively, Memphis allows 115.9 PPG, while teams are hitting 42.1% from behind the arc, as Memphis ranked 30th in the NBA in that category. Look for plenty of points, too.
Bet: Spurs +2.5 (-110) and Over 226.5 (-110)
Oklahoma City Thunder at Golden State Warriors
It’s very difficult to beat a team in each end of a back-to-back set. However, OKC has a good shot at completing the sweep Saturday night. Draymond Green is serving the second game of his suspension, and Stephen Curry (knee) is questionable to play due to the knee injury which kept him out in the first end.
That being said, if Curry is able to play, then Golden State is much more attractive on the moneyline at home. You might want to hold off finalizing your betting ticket until 90 minutes before this game goes off.
As it stands right now, Oklahoma City is the play, based on Curry not playing. The Thunder was impressive in a 128-109 win as 3-point favorites on Thursday as the Over (227) connected. The Thunder hit 51% from the field (44-of-87), and they were on fire from behind the 3-point line at 59% (19-of-32).
Bet: Thunder -1.5 (-110)
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