NBA Odds, Picks & Predictions: Saturday (11/8)
Let's break down some key matchups today in the NBA. Below are our top NBA picks & predictions for Saturday, November 8th.
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Saturday's NBA Best Bets & Picks
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Chicago Bulls vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (-8.5) | O/U 239.5 (-112/-108)
On Friday night, the Cavaliers delivered a dominant performance against the Wizards, cruising to a 148-114 victory. It's tough to come back from a back-to-back, but with all of the starters playing fewer than 30 minutes, they will be ready for this game.
It was tough for Cleveland in the first couple of weeks without Darius Garland, their best facilitator, as he led the team with 6.7 assists per game last season. They are coming into this game with a three-game winning streak, and their offense is reminiscent of their top-scoring unit from last year, as they are averaging 132.2 points per game over the last three games.
This will be another challenge against the top-seeded Bulls, who have a 6-2 record. They also played on Friday night, but it was more of a challenge for Chicago playing in Milwaukee. Their perimeter shooting has been on point this season, ranking third (40.3%). Defensively, they're strong across the board as they rank in the top 10 in opponents' rim, mid-range and three-point rates.
The Cavaliers are once again the team that secured the No. 1 seed last year. The Bulls have had one of the toughest schedules to start the year, but they have played well. Both teams, coming off a night of play, means no rest advantage for either squad, so Chicago could keep this within two possessions.
Pick: Bulls +8.5 (-115)
Los Angeles Lakers (-3.5) vs. Atlanta Hawks | O/U 230.5 (-115/-105)
Life without LeBron James has not been a problem as the Lakers have begun 7-2, putting them No. 2 in the Western Conference. The good news is that they have Luka Doncic, and he's started his first full year in Los Angeles on fire, which puts him in rarefied air. He's the first player since Wilt Chamberlain in 1962 to start the season with three straight 40+ point games, and he is the first Laker since Kobe Bryant in 2007 to average 45 points in a three-game span.
The Hawks are struggling to find consistency at the start of the season. They've had one instance of back-to-back wins, against the winless Pacers and Nets. A significant reason is the absence of Trae Young, who will miss at least another three weeks as he recovers from a knee injury.
The Lakers appear to have one of the more explosive offenses, and even on the road, could secure a convincing win.
Pick: Lakers -3.5 (-112)