Last week\u2019s NBA picks against the spread went 7-6-1, with the best bets unfortunately going 0-3. For the season, the picks are at 14-12-1, an alright 53.8% win rate. Let\u2019s see if we can build some momentum with an exciting 11-game Friday, November 17 slate. These games are a part of the In-Season Tournament, so the stakes should be higher than your normal regular-season game<\/p>\n
Both teams are top-10 in pace, bottom-10 in defensive rating, and the top half of the NBA in offensive rating. The Hornets currently allow the most points per 100 possessions in the entire NBA, and the Bucks\u2019 offense has looked better in the last few games. It should be a high-scoring occasion.<\/p>\n
The Wizards play with the fastest pace in the league by a significant margin, with 104.9 possessions per game. They also can\u2019t stop anybody, especially physical teams with size like the Knicks. Jalen Brunson<\/a><\/strong> and Julius Randle<\/a><\/strong> should have no trouble scoring on Washington, making this another high-scoring affair.<\/p>\n The Spurs have been absolutely terrible the past two weeks, losing games by 41, 21, and 36 in a ten-day span. They can\u2019t score or stop anybody. Not playing a traditional point guard and using Jeremy Sochan<\/a><\/strong> as their primary ballhandler has not worked. Plus, their best offensive player, Devin Vassell<\/strong><\/a>, is unavailable to play. The Kings, on the other hand, righted the ship after their superstar De\u2019Aaron Fox<\/strong><\/a> returned from injury as they won four straight. They should be able to take care of business in San Antonio.<\/p>\n The Celtics are unstoppable, with a 9-2 record and the best point differential in the league. All of their last seven wins have been in double digits, with their only losses coming in overtime or a single-possession game. They may be short-handed with Jaylen Brown<\/a><\/strong> and Kristaps Porzingis<\/a><\/strong> questionable to play, but they still have enough to dispatch the depressingly mediocre Raptors.<\/p>\n Joel Embiid<\/a><\/strong> is listed as questionable, and unless we know his status for the game, it\u2019s close to impossible to pick in this matchup. If he plays, the Sixers should be favored to take this one. It\u2019s best to stay away, but over makes more sense here considering the pace the Hawks like to play with and the tempo Philadelphia could play with if Embiid misses the game.<\/p>\n Both teams have been dealing with injuries to start the season, and neither has had the opportunity to play their full-strength groups so far. The Pistons are still missing Monte Morris<\/a><\/strong>, Joe Harris<\/a><\/strong>, Jalen Duren<\/a><\/strong>, and Bojan Bogdanovic<\/a><\/strong>. They don\u2019t have enough firepower to keep up with the Cavaliers, even if they are also short-handed and struggling. This will be a great opportunity for Cleveland to build a winning streak, and they should secure the victory.<\/p>\n This is another matchup between short-handed teams. The Nuggets are missing Jamal Murray<\/a><\/strong>, while the Pelicans are dealing with CJ McCollum<\/a><\/strong>, Trey Murphy III<\/a><\/strong>, and Jose Alvarado’s<\/a><\/strong> absences. New Orleans beat the Mavericks in their last game, but considering that they lost five straight before that, their uninspiring individual performances, and their ranking in the bottom five\u00a0in both offense and defense in the last two weeks, it\u2019s hard to pick them against the reigning champions. The Nuggets should take care of business.<\/p>\n These two teams met two days ago, and the Magic won on a Paolo Banchero<\/a><\/strong> game-winner. It is an unwritten NBA rule that teams tend to split these back-to-back games against one another. That makes sense between two evenly matched teams as well. The Bulls have a slight edge here.<\/p>\n The Jazz are missing their defensive anchor, Walker Kessler<\/a><\/strong>. They have struggled defensively without him all season. The Suns are close to getting their Big Three<\/a> back, with Devin Booker<\/a><\/strong> and Kevin Durant<\/a><\/strong> playing and Bradley Beal<\/a><\/strong> being day-to-day. Considering the pace the Jazz like to play with and the Suns\u2019 firepower, this should be an offense-first game.<\/p>\n The Trail Blazers have the worst offensive rating in the NBA due to their long list of injuries. The Lakers also struggle to create good looks in the half-court. Both teams play at a slow pace, keeping their games low-scoring. Considering they are both defense-first teams, this should be a grit-and-grind game.<\/p>\nSacramento Kings @ San Antonio Spurs: SAC \u2013 8.5\u00a0 -110<\/h3>\n
Boston Celtics @ Toronto Raptors: BOS -7.5\u00a0 -110<\/h3>\n
Philadelphia 76ers @ Atlanta Hawks: O236\u00a0 -110<\/h3>\n
Detroit Pistons @ Cleveland Cavaliers: CLE -8.5\u00a0 -110<\/h3>\n
Denver Nuggets @ New Orleans Pelicans: DEN -5.5\u00a0 -106<\/h3>\n
Orlando Magic @ Chicago Bulls: CHI -2 \u00a0-110<\/h3>\n
Phoenix Suns @ Utah Jazz: O237.5\u00a0 -110<\/h3>\n
Los Angeles Lakers @ Portland Trail Blazers: U223.5\u00a0 -110<\/h3>\n
Houston Rockets @ Los Angeles Clippers: HOU +7.5\u00a0 -114<\/h3>\n