The NBA slate for Wednesday, November 1, 2023, is appetizing. Let’s look at all 13 games for the night and make our predictions for all of them, before choosing the three best bets. The lines are taken from FanDuel.
NBA Bets Today
Portland Trail Blazers @ Detroit Pistons: U217 -110
Portland’s offense is brutal right now as they failed to crack 100 points in three of their four games so far this season. The Pistons are surprisingly feisty to begin the season, especially on the defensive end. It should be a slow, low-scoring occasion.
Milwaukee Bucks @ Toronto Raptors: U224 -110
The Raptors offense has been similarly horrendous, as the most points they could score in a game so far is 107. They have no shooting and floor-spacing, making drives to the basket ineffective. The Bucks have two of the best rim protectors in the league in Giannis Antetokounmpo and Brook Lopez. It’s difficult to see how the Raptors score enough points to hit this over.
New Orleans Pelicans @ OKC Thunder: OKC -3.5 -110
Pelicans continue to be riddled with injuries. There are simply too many young, inexperienced players in their rotation right now. The Thunder, on the other hand, have been impressive since the start of the season. They are a deeper, more talented team, playing at home. They should dismantle the short-handed Pelicans.
Cleveland Cavaliers @ New York Knicks: NYK -6.5 -110
Cleveland is similarly short-handed, as they have been without Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen all season. Caris Levert missed their last game as well, and this is the second night of a back-to-back. It’s difficult to see them put up a fight against the Knicks, who they lost to by 18 last night at home.
Indiana Pacers @ Boston Celtics: O234 -110
The Celtics have looked fantastic in their three wins so far and they should win this one too. But the line set at 11.5 is too high. Considering how flawless and fluid the Boston offense looked and how fast-paced the Indiana Pacers like to play with their own high-powered offensive weapons, taking the over makes more sense.
Washington Wizards @ Atlanta Hawks: O238 -110
Atlanta should win this one easily but Trae Young is questionable to play and the line was set at 8.5. If he is cleared to play, taking ATL -8.5 is a great bet too. However, until we know that, over 238 is a safe choice. The Wizards defense is absolutely hopeless and considering that their lone defensive big man Daniel Gafford is questionable to play, they will have no chance of stopping Atlanta’s offense.
Brooklyn Nets @ Miami Heat: BKN +6 -110
The Nets are currently 1-2, but they could easily be 3-0 as they lost two nail-biters in the first two games of the season. Their defense looks legit, Ben Simmons looks healthy, and Cam Thomas may be a solid go-to scorer. Miami, on the other hand, is struggling with injuries as Jimmy Butler is questionable to play and Caleb Martin is out. Even if the Nets lose, this should be a close game. Nets +6 is a safe bet.
Charlotte Hornets @ Houston Rockets: HOU -2.5 -110
Both teams looked bad to start the season. The vibes in Charlotte seem off as LaMelo Ball is off to a slow start. Their depth is very questionable. Houston is winless in three games, but they have a better roster than Charlotte and should have targeted this game at home against a weaker opponent as a must-win, and they should.
Denver Nuggets @ Minnesota Timberwolves: DEN -2.5 -110
The Nuggets picked up where they left off in the 2023 NBA Finals. They are a well-oiled machine destroying everything in its way with deadly precision. They are undefeated and haven’t really been tested so far in four games. Minnesota, on the other hand, continues to have fit issues as the Rudy Gobert–Karl-Anthony Towns pairing still doesn’t seem to work. Denver should have no problem continuing their win streak.
Chicago Bulls @ Dallas Mavericks: DAL -5 -110
Dallas is the other undefeated team in the Western Conference, albeit playing worse competition in their first three games. Yet, Luka Doncic is playing at an MVP level and their offense looks great. The Bulls will have their hands full trying to stop this Dallas offense, and likely can’t produce enough good looks themselves to keep up with the Mavericks’ scoring.
Memphis Grizzlies @ Utah Jazz: UTA -1.5 -110
The Grizzlies not only still don’t have a win, but they also look lost out there. Ja Morant is still suspended and their frontcourt rotation is in shambles with the continued absences of Steven Adams, Brandon Clarke, and Santi Aldama. They simply don’t have enough offensive firepower to keep up. And against a Utah team playing at home, eagerly trying to get back on track, they are unlikely to pull off an upset.
LA Clippers @ Los Angeles Lakers: LAL -6 -110
Clippers are on the second night of a back-to-back. How many of their veterans will play is always a question mark for them. Plus, they are short-handed after trading four players to acquire James Harden and P.J. Tucker, who will presumably not be ready to play in this game. The Lakers will be the better-rested, deeper team, and should cover.
Sacramento Kings @ Golden State Warriors: GSW -7 -110
De’Aaron Fox‘s injury in Sacramento is a huge blow. They have good depth to make up for some of the offense lost with Fox’s absence, but they don’t have enough firepower to keep up with Golden State. Steph Curry somehow still looks like prime Steph Curry, the Warriors bench looks much improved with Chris Paul’s addition, and they are healthy. It’s hard to see them not win this one relatively easily against the Kings.
Best Bets:
NO Pelicans @ OKC Thunder: OKC -3.5 -110
Brooklyn Nets @ Miami Heat: BKN +6 -110
Memphis Grizzlies @ Utah Jazz: UTA -1.5 -110
Disclaimer: For entertainment purposes only. LWOS does not make betting recommendations and these are by no means a guarantee or suggestion.
