The NBA season continues today with 10 games on the schedule, starting with the Boston Celtics visiting the Cleveland Cavaliers at 1:00 p.m. ET and ending with the Phoenix Suns hosting the Charlotte Hornets at 10:00 p.m. ET. From today’s games, I've highlighted three as my top NBA picks & predictions.
There are more than three great options for your betting pleasure, of course. But in this post, I'll be covering my top three NBA best bets from today's slate.
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Sunday’s NBA Best Bets & Picks
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook unless otherwise stated)
New York Knicks vs. Los Angeles Lakers
Both teams come into this game off wins on Friday night. The Knicks crushed the Nuggets by a score of 142-103, and the Lakers earned a 128-117 victory over the Pacers in Indianapolis. OG Anunoby led the way for the Knicks with 34 points, and Luka Doncic did the same for the Lakers with 44 points. But it is not going to be as easy for the Lakers this time, despite being at home.
Not only will they still be missing LeBron James, Maxi Kleber and Deandre Ayton, but unlike the Pacers, the Knicks are a solid defensive team (No. 5, allowing 110.6 points per game).
Being at home will help, but the Lakers are not going to beat a good, all-around team like the Knicks, given their injuries and questionable defense.
Pick: Knicks -3.5 (-112)
Houston Rockets vs. San Antonio Spurs
The Houston Rockets come into this game off a win over the Trail Blazers, but have dropped two of their last five and are 18-15 on the road this season. San Antonio rebounded from its 114-89 loss to the Knicks in New York last Sunday with three consecutive wins last week.
Houston has not been a great road team this season and has been hot and cold lately. Taking San Antonio and laying the points looks like a good idea. San Antonio is a solid home team and is playing well right now. But when they've been a road underdog this season, the Rockets are 6-0 against the spread (ATS).
I don't feel confident in picking either team to win/cover, but we are dealing with two of the top defensive teams in the NBA; Houston ranks third and San Antonio seventh. The under is 4-2 for Houston when they've been road dogs and 17-12 for the Spurs when they play at home.
Pick: Under 222.5 Points (-110)
Charlotte Hornets vs. Phoenix Suns
This Hornets team is not the same one that went 10-20 in the first 30 games of the season. With the loss to Miami on Friday night, they are back to .500 (32-32). The Horners are 16-4 in their last 20 games. The loss to Miami ended a six-game winning streak. As for the Suns, Phoenix is a capable and dangerous team as long as Devin Booker is in the lineup.
But they've been dealing with several injuries of late and are 4-5 straight up (SU) and 2-6-1 ATS in their last nine games.
It's tempting to take a good team like the Suns and the points at home. But the Hornets have been playing better basketball and are not dealing with as many injuries as the Suns. Charlotte is 7-3 ATS when favored on the road this season.
Pick: Charlotte -4.5 (-112)
