NBA Best Bets Today (Predictions for Knicks-Wolves, Warriors-Pistons and Evan Fournier)

We’ve got just two games in the NBA on Tuesday, but I’m going to deliver you my best bet for each of them and player prop as well for this edition of NBA Best Bets. 

The New York Knicks look to avenge a bad loss to the Charlotte Hornets on Monday when they take on the Minnesota Timberwolves tonight, while the Golden State Warriors host Cade Cunningham and the Detroit Pistons.

Are we backing a side? Or do we like the total in one or both of these matchups. Let’s get into today’s picks. 

All odds courtesy of WynnBET Sportsbook.

NBA Best Bets Record to Date

• NBA Best Bets Record: 94-97-2

NBA Best Bets Today

• Minnesota Timberwolves-New York Knicks UNDER 214 (-110)
• Detroit Pistons-Golden State Warriors UNDER 218 (-110)
• Evan Fournier OVER 14.5 Points (-105)

Minnesota Timberwolves vs. New York Knicks: UNDER 214 (-110)

The Knicks won the first game between these two teams with the Timberwolves down Karl-Anthony Towns, D’Angelo Russell and Anthony Edwards, but the Wolves will look much different in Tuesday’s matchup. 

I don’t trust New York at home, but I do trust it to slow the game down and play defense, as the Knicks are dead last in the NBA pace this season and have the league’s No. 2 defensive rating since Christmas. 

The Timberwolves aren’t bad defensively either, ranking ninth in the NBA for the season despite playing at the league’s No. 4 pace this season. 

I’m going to take the under in this game, as I think this is going to be a defensive battle in New York. The Knicks have had a combined total of 213 points or less in nine of their 12 games since Christmas, and it is worth noting that the last three games between these teams have all gone under 204 points. 

Tom Thibodeau’s team is going to try and muck things up to come away with a win and split this back-to-back. 

Detroit Pistons vs. Golden State Warriors: UNDER 218 (-110)

The Golden State Warriors are in the midst of their worst stretch of the season, as they are just 4-6 in their last 10 games and have posted the third worst offensive rating in the NBA over that stretch. 

Yikes. 

This is an extremely tough matchup to handicap, mainly because the Pistons are one of the most inconsistent teams in the NBA. 

Detroit has beaten the Utah Jazz by 10, lost to the Chicago Bulls by 46, beaten the Toronto Raptors by 16 and lost to the Suns by 27 in its last three games. 

I mean, how the hell does that happen?

Despite that, Golden State’s struggles without Draymond Green are real, as they are just 3-6 in the nine games Green has missed this season. 

Draymond is expected to miss two more weeks with his calf injury, which means Golden State is going to have to make due with a revolving door at his spot in the rotation. 

I like the Warriors to win this game, but I don’t know if I can trust them to cover this lofty spread, so instead I’m going to make another play on the total. 

Over the last 10 games, Golden State and Detroit are 28th and 29th in offensive rating respectively, while the Warriors are third in defensive rating over that stretch. 

Steph Curry has been slumping and Klay Thompson still isn’t himself, so with Draymond not able to facilitate the offense, I’ll back the under in this game. 

Evan Fournier OVER 14.5 Points (-105)

Evan Fournier was awful in Monday’s loss to Charlotte, going just 2-for-9 from the field and scoring six points, but I’m buying how he’s played in bounce-back games. 

What has Fournier done following his last four single-digit scoring performances?

• Dec. 16: 23 points (8-for-12 FG, 4-for-7 3P FG)
• Dec. 25: 15 points (6-for-12 FG, 3-for-6 3P FG)
• Jan. 2: 20 points (6-for-14 FG, 4-for-10 3P FG)
• Jan. 6: 41 points (15-for-25 FG, 10-for-14 3P FG)

Fournier is streaky, but when he gets hot, he’s piping hot. He’s averaging 13.5 points per game while shooting 41.6 percent from the field and 39.1 percent from deep. 

I think he gets going against the Minnesota Timberwolves in what is a much-needed bounce back for the Knicks.