Top NBA Odds, Picks, & Predictions: Thursday (11/2)
For a Thursday night in the National Basketball Association, there are quite a few games. Normally, we get just a pair of games on TNT, but we have a pair of games televised on NBA TV and two games on regional broadcasts.
While the slate might not be the most exciting, we still have some interesting wagers on tap, including two teams meeting for the second time already this season. Let’s get started!
Get instant alerts when a line reaches your target via the BettingPros App >>
Thursday’s Best NBA Bets
Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook | All wagers are for 1 unit
Toronto Raptors at Philadelphia 76ers
The Raptors got well against the Milwaukee Bucks in Wednesday’s game, winning 130-111 as a 4.0-point underdog on its home hardwood. It was the first victory since Opening Night against the Minnesota Timberwolves, and it was easily the best showing of the Raps to date. The previous high for the offense came in a 114-107 loss at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto against these 76ers on Oct. 28, as the visitors covered on a 5.0-point line with the Over (214) connecting.
Despite the win over the Bucks, the Raptors are still scoring just 105.6 points per game (PPG) to rank 24th in the NBA. In addition, Toronto is one of the worst free-throw teams in the league during the early going, connecting at just a 73.0% rate.
Defensively, the Raptors have been pretty good, limiting teams to 41.9% shooting from the field and 29.9% from behind the three-point line. That has helped Toronto stay in games, holding teams to just 104.4 PPG, which is sixth in The Association.
As mentioned, Philadelphia topped Toronto by seven points in the first meeting in Canada. And that was before the distraction of James Harden was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers. Newcomer Nicolas Batum will not play in Thursday’s game, as he was one of the veterans acquired from the Clips. Still, Robert Covington, KJ Martin and Marcus Morris all could debut. It will be interesting to see how the team folds in the new players and if chemistry is affected. Still, I’ll roll with the Sixers at home against a team which played last night, and then had to travel south. It’s a tough turnaround for the Raptors against another top-tier team.
Bet: 76ers -8.5 (-108)
Detroit Pistons at New Orleans Pelicans
The Pistons suffered a 110-101 loss at home against the Portland Trail Blazers, cashing the Under (216.5) on their home floor Wednesday. The Pelicans were on the road, taking care of the Oklahoma City Thunder by a 110-106 score, as the Under (227.5) just came in below the wire.
Both of these teams had to travel, and while we just started the season, the second end of a back-to-back while traveling can really take some of the energy out of the legs, even in the early going.
While the Pistons cashed the Over in its first back-to-back this season, last season Detroit faced a similar situation. It traveled to Miami on Dec. 6, 2022, then to New Orleans on Dec. 7, 2022. It cashed the Under in a 104-98 loss to the Pels with a total of 228.5.
The Pelicans are playing their first back-to-back this season. The Over was 8-4 last season when playing on no rest. However, New Orleans cashed the Under in OKC on Wednesday, and the total has gone low in three of four games to date.
Bet: Under 219 (-110)
Orlando Magic at Utah Jazz
The Magic were treated rudely in Southern California, falling in back-to-back nights at Crypto.com Arena against the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers. Orlando had covered the first three games of the season. However, the Clippers ended that noise with a 118-102 win as 6.5-point favorites.
The Jazz offense came alive with a 133-109 victory against the struggling Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday night, and now Utah is back in action on a second consecutive night. However, at least the Jazz didn’t have to travel and got to sleep in their own beds for the back-to-back set.
Utah has covered consecutive games, and it is 3-1 ATS in the past four games, including Wednesday’s game as a favorite by two points, the first time it was favored all season. The team is also favored against Orlando, and the Magic are a team that the Jazz has handled well over the years.
Utah has won eight of the past nine meetings in this series dating back to Jan. 9, 2019, with the Jazz covering seven of those battles. The Jazz are 5-2 ATS in the past seven home meetings with the Magic, too, with Utah winning each contest outright. Orlando’s last win in Salt Lake City came on Dec. 3, 2015.
Bet: Jazz -1 (-108)
Make sure to check out our other best bets for Thursday:
- NFL Thursday Night Football Same Game Parlay
- Top 4 Picks for NFL Thursday Night Football
- NBA First Basket Scorer Odds, Picks, & Predictions
- NBA Player Prop Bet Odds, Pick & Predictions
- Top NHL Odds, Picks & Predictions
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | RadioPublic | Breaker | Castbox | Pocket Casts