Top 3 NBA Picks & Predictions: Wednesday (11/4)
After a brief hiatus for Election Day, the NBA is back with a full slate of games. Below, I explain why the Celtics should bounce back from a poor performance against the Rockets. Then, I highlight why the Knicks are going to cruise past the Bucks and why the Rockets and Timberwolves aren't going to have much offensive success.
Here are the best NBA bets for Wednesday, November 4.
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Wednesday’s Best NBA Picks & Predictions
(Odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook)
Milwaukee Bucks vs. Boston Celtics
The Celtics have failed to reach 110 points in their last two games, scoring just 93 against the Rockets in their most recent contest on Monday. Yet, they're still averaging 115.0 points per game thanks to three consecutive games with at least 125 points to end October.
While Jayson Tatum and Payton Pritchard are both questionable for this game, I believe the Celtics can reach 119 points without either of them on the floor. That's how bad the Bucks' defense has been. The Bucks are allowing 124.1 points per game, which ranks 28th in the league. When it comes to defensive efficiency, they're barely better and rank 27th.
This season, the Bucks have allowed at least 127 points in five of their seven games. The only teams to fail to reach that total were the 2-6 Pacers and the Timberwolves without Anthony Edwards. If Tatum or Pritchard play, I expect this number to jump over 120.
Pick: Celtics Over 118.5 Points (-102)
Chicago Bulls vs. New York Knicks
After a 0-3 start to the season, the Knicks have gotten hot. They've won three of their last four games, with two of those wins coming by at least 13 points. The defense has been outstanding lately, holding three of its last four opponents to fewer than 100 points.
Tonight, the Knicks face the worst scoring defense in the NBA. The Bulls are allowing 128.9 points per game, which is 4.6 more than any other team. They've given up at least 124 points in every game this season, and even though the Knicks are averaging just 106.4 points per game, they should reach that threshold easily.
If the Knicks reach 124 points, there is no way the Bulls can cover. They're averaging 112.6 points per game, but will surely score less than that against a defense allowing just 105.1 points per game. Keep in mind, the Bulls have scored 111 or fewer points in four of their seven games, failing to reach 100 twice.
Pick: Knicks -12.5 (-110)
Houston Rockets vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
The Rockets have held three of their last four opponents to 100 or fewer points, keeping the Celtics and Thunder under 100 in their last two games. This season, the Rockets are allowing 106.4 points per game, and I don't see how the Timberwolves are going to top that mark tonight.
With Edwards out, the Timberwolves struggled against a Bucks defense that is amongst the worst in the league. Even though the Timberwolves are averaging 119.0 points per game, the eighth-most in the league, they've scored 112 or fewer in back-to-back contests.
Yet, I don't expect the Rockets' offense to dominate this game. The Timberwolves are allowing just 107.6 points per game and should have no trouble becoming the fourth consecutive team to hold the Rockets below 120 points. After all, the Timberwolves are holding teams to just 43.5% from the field this season, the fifth-best mark in the league.
Pick: Under 220.5 Points (-110)
Phil Wood is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Phil, check out his archive and follow him @Phil_Wood_Jr.