NBA Odds, Picks & Predictions: Saturday (11/1)
A brand-new NBA season is here, and it brings excitement to all 30 teams. As the season moves along, we’ll see who the real contenders are, but it will be great to see which teams surprise us all. Let’s break down some key matchups today in the NBA. Below are our top NBA picks & predictions for Saturday, November 1st.
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Saturday’s NBA Best Bets & Picks
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Sacramento Kings vs. Milwaukee Bucks (-5.5) | O/U 232.5 (-115/-105)
There were questions about whether the Bucks entering this season would be significantly impacted by the loss of Damian Lillard. The Eastern Conference appears to be wide open early on, with no team besides the Bulls showing dominance. Giannis Antetokounmpo is a few seasons removed from his last MVP campaign, but he continually plays at that level, and this season is no different. His 36.3 points per game rank second, and his 14 rebounds per game rank third. However, the concern is his status for this game, as he is dealing with a knee issue and is listed as questionable.
Will that matter against the Kings, who are sitting near the bottom of the conference and are coming in with a three-game losing streak? While they are 1-4, they've kept games close with only three losses by single digits. They have prolific scorers, such as Zach LaVine, who is averaging 29.2 points per game, and DeMar DeRozan, who is averaging 19 points per game. The defense has been average, ranking 15th with 116.8 points allowed per game. If they can put everything together, the Kings could charge up the standings.
This game will be impacted if Antetokounmpo can't play. The Kings have been able to keep games close all year, and they could do the same in this game.
Pick: Kings +5.5 (-110)
Golden State Warriors (-10.5) vs. Indiana Pacers | O/U 230.5 (-110/-110)
The well-oiled machine that is the Golden State Warriors continues to roll as they come in 4-2. Steph Curry is the epitome of consistency, leading the team with 27 points per game, while also remaining one of the best three-point shooters in the league, with 4.3 made threes per game, the second-most in the league. What helps Curry be an efficient scorer is that Jimmy Butler takes pressure off him; Butler's addition to the team as a secondary option has significantly improved the lineup, and since he will have a full season with Golden State, he should be even better.
Injuries will likely prevent the Pacers, who reached the NBA Finals last year, from being competitive in the Eastern Conference. They remain one of three teams yet to win a game, and their -11.4 point differential is the third-worst in the league. We knew they could struggle without Tyrese Haliburton, who tore his Achilles in the NBA Finals, but they also lost Obi Toppin for the year, and have five guards out with injuries.
Pick: Warriors -10.5 (-110)