Top NBA Odds, Picks & Predictions: Saturday (11/25)
We have just six games on the slate for the National Basketball Association on Saturday. The highlight of the slate might the Los Angeles Lakers traveling to meet the Cleveland Cavaliers, as LeBron James returns to Northeast Ohio.
The nationally televised game on Saturday, if you choose to focus on hoops rather than football, is the Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Clippers game tipping off at 10:30 p.m. ET on NBATV. Let’s get started!
Saturday’s Best NBA Bets
Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook | All wagers are for 1 unit
Los Angeles Lakers at Cleveland Cavaliers
The Lakers (9-7) begin a four-game road trip against the Cavaliers (8-7), as LeBron James returns to his stomping grounds. Cleveland ended up sweeping the regular season series in 2022-23, while the Cavs hold a slight 5-4 against the spread (ATS) advantage in the past nine meetings dating back to Nov. 21, 2018.
The Lakers won their most recent road game, winning 107-95 and covering as a 9.5-point favorite. However, Los Angeles is just 2-5 straight up (SU) overall on the road while covering three of the past four games away from home. In addition, the Under has cashed in five straight games for the Lakers. The Under has cashed in four of the past five games away from SoCal, too.
For the Cavaliers, they’re coming off a 129-96 pounding from the Miami Heat last time out. That was without Donovan Mitchell, who is questionable for this one due to a hamstring injury. And for the Lakers, LeBron James is listed as questionable due to a calf injury, but we suspect he’ll do everything in his power to play back home in Northeast Ohio.
The Cavs have cashed the Over in three straight games, although the Under has a slight 4-3 edge in seven home games this season. With LeBron and Spida carrying 50-50 tags, the Under is the best play, while also playing a same-game parlay with the Lakers.
Bets: Lakers +4.5 (-110) & Under 225 (-110)
New Orleans Pelicans at Utah Jazz
The Pelicans (9-7) play the front end of a back-to-back set in Salt Lake City against the Jazz (4-11). New Orleans has won five of the past six games while covering each of the outings.
On the flip side, the Jazz are in the midst of a four-game losing streak and have failed to cover the past two outings, while falling by 16 or more points in each game against the Los Angeles Lakers and Portland Trail Blazers.
While the Jazz have won and covered three straight meetings in this series, including a back-to-back set last December in the SLC, the Pels are playing much better basketball lately. New Orleans has been on fire against the number, and it is the play in Utah’s capital city.
Bet: Pelicans -1 (-112)
Dallas Mavericks at Los Angeles Clippers
In the nationally televised game on NBATV, the Mavs look to sweep the back-to-back stop at Crypto.com Arena against the Los Angeles teams. The Mavs snuck by the Lakers by a 104-101 score on Wednesday, covering as a 1-point favorite. The Mavericks have managed a 4-3 ATS mark in the past seven games overall.
The last time these teams met was Nov. 10 in the Metroplex, with the Mavs picking up a 144-126 win over the Clips as a 1.5-point favorite for the easy cover as the Over (236) connected.
The Clippers have a pretty impressive roster full of All-Stars, but the results have been mixed. Los Angeles lost last time out against New Orleans, falling 116-106 as a 5.5-point favorite, and have a 1-3 ATS in the past four games, while going 2-8 ATS in the past 10 games overall.
The Under has cashed in six straight games, and eight of the past nine outings for the Clippers, as well, although that first game against Dallas covered. You can play the Under lightly, but going with the Mavs to cover a small 1.5-point spread is the recommended play.
Bet: Mavericks -1.5 (-110)
Make sure to check out our other best bets for Saturday:
- NFL Week 12 Player Prop Bets Odds, Picks & Predictions: Fitz's Favorites
- Erickson's NFL Week 12 Player Prop Bet Picks & Predictions
- Top NHL Odds, Picks & Predictions: Saturday (11/25)
- NBA Same Game Parlay Odds, Picks & Predictions
- NBA First Basket Scorer Odds, Picks & Predictions
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