Top 3 NBA Picks & Predictions: Tuesday (10/27)
Four NBA games are scheduled for today, and I'm making picks for three of them. Below, I explain why the Nets are in trouble against the Celtics, how the Pistons can keep it close with the Knicks and why the Spurs' offense will put on a show against the Kings. Here are the best NBA Picks for Tuesday, October 27th.
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Tuesday's Best NBA Picks & Predictions
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Brooklyn Nets at Boston Celtics
It's been a terrible start to the season for the Nets’ offense. They're averaging just 111 points per game, and they've scored more than 109 points only once in three games. In their first game, a defense that currently allows 111 points per game held them to 103.
The Celtics are allowing 107.7 points per game, but that average is inflated after they gave up 121 points to the Pistons in the season opener. And remember, the Pistons scored 39 points in the fourth quarter of that game.
Since that performance, the Celtics' defense has dominated. They held the Knicks to 103 points, then the Bulls to 99. The Nets are shooting just 42% from the field this season, and I doubt they'll do better against the NBA's sixth-best shooting defense, which holds teams to just 43.2%.
Pick: Nets Under 103.5 Points (+102)
Detroit Pistons at New York Knicks
The Knicks are 0-3, and the Pistons are 3-0, yet the Knicks are favored by 3.5 tonight. And while I expect the desperate Knicks to ultimately win this game, I don't think the Pistons are going to make it easy for them.
The biggest reason I'm backing the Pistons to cover is because of how well they shoot from beyond the three-point line. They're averaging the fourth-most three-pointers per game (15.7) and the third-best three-point rate (42%).
Meanwhile, the Knicks' three-point defense has really struggled to start the season. They're allowing 14.7 three-pointers per game, and 36.4% of their attempts are going in. Those stats rank fifth-worst and ninth-worst, respectively. With both defenses in the top 10 in points allowed per game, the Pistons' three-point shooting will be enough to keep this low-scoring game close.
Pick: Pistons +3.5 (-115)
Sacramento Kings at San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs are favored by 18.5 points after picking up their first win of the season on Saturday. While I expect the Spurs to dominate, 18.5 points is a lot to cover, especially since the Kings have scored at least 112 points in two of their three games. Plus, the Spurs could easily lead by a large margin for most of this game and then let the Kings go on a run late when the starters are sitting.
However, while I'm nervous about the spread, I have no doubts about the Spurs' offense. The Spurs finally cracked 120 points on Saturday, and now face one of the league’s worst defenses. The Kings have allowed at least 121 points in three games, including 128 to the Trail Blazers in their worst defensive performance.
The Kings are allowing teams to make 48% of their field goals, the seventh-highest average in the league. They're also giving up 14 offensive rebounds per game, which should create plenty of second-chance opportunities for the Spurs' offense.
Pick: Spurs Over 125.5 Points (+105)
Phil Wood is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Phil, check out his archive and follow him @Phil_Wood_Jr.