NBA Odds, Picks & Predictions: Saturday (11/29)
Let’s break down some key matchups today in the NBA. Below are our top NBA picks & predictions for Saturday, November 29th.
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Saturday’s NBA Best Bets & Picks
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Detroit Pistons at Miami Heat (-3.5) | O/U 238.5 (-112/-110)
The Heat look great as they come into this game having won six straight games. In recent years, Miami's identity was through its defense, but this season, it is only 17th in points allowed per game (117.2). What has them as the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference is being one of the top offenses in the league, where they are second with 122.9 points per game. This success comes despite injuries to Tyler Herro, Norman Powell and Bam Adebayo. This shows the depth of this roster and how they can have a productive lineup on the court for all 48 minutes.
While the Heat are on a six-game winning streak, they are still a long way from approaching where Detroit was. What a difference a couple of years makes. Back in the 2023-24 season, the Pistons tied the longest losing streak in league history at 28 games. Two years later, they just tied a franchise-high with 13 straight wins. They have established themselves as one of the more elite defenses, ranking fourth in defensive efficiency (1.075) and fifth in opponents' effective field goal rate (52%). This is one of the best teams Cade Cunningham has been a part of, and it’s helping set new career-highs in points (28.1) and assists (9.3) per game.
Despite Miami’s stellar offense, this will be a challenge for them, going up against Detroit’s top-rated defense. The Pistons could slow the pace of the game, which may turn this into a low-scoring game.
Pick: Under 238.5 Points (-112)
Denver Nuggets (-3.5) at Phoenix Suns | O/U 231.5 (-110/-110)
The Nuggets have looked great early in the season, sitting just behind the Thunder for second in the Western Conference. This offense has been dominant, leading the league in scoring at 123.8 points per game and ranking second in effective field goal rate at 57.8%. The big concern comes with the injuries to Aaron Gordon and Christian Braun, and their impact on both sides of the court. The defense has especially struggled. Over their last three games, they rank 26th in defensive efficiency (1.181) and 23rd in opponents' fast-break efficiency (2.364).
The Suns are also dealing with injuries to their starters, with Grayson Allen and Jalen Green both sidelined. However, this team has played much better since starting 1-4. They are now 12-8. The defense has become an emphasis after last year, when they finished 28th in defensive efficiency. This season, they currently rank 11th. While they don't have the offensive firepower when Kevin Durant was in the lineup, Devin Booker still proves he can carry an offense, averaging 26.3 points per game. The addition of Dillon Brooks, whom they acquired in return for Durant, has also been successful, averaging 21.3 points per game.
There are differences between the matchup these two teams played on October 25th and the one happening tonight. The Suns are better defensively, and the Nuggets do not look as efficient without Gordon and Braun.
Pick: Suns +3.5 (-110)