NBA Best Bets Today: Predictions for Timberwolves, Bulls, John Collins and More

I said we were turning a new leaf in yesterday's "NBA Best Bets" column, and it actually came true. After a dreadful performance last week, Sunday started with a 2-1 slate where the New York Knicks nearly covered against the Chicago Bulls to make it 3-0.

This success may be short lived, but I'm as confident as ever heading into Monday's night slate. You could say...

The Nov. 22 slate in the NBA is loaded with double-digit favorites, four to be exact, but I'm going to stay away from those matchups in today's picks. I've got a prop, a total, a straight up pick and a spread pick for tonight's slate.

Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves are my favorite bet, as I discussed on today's episode of the Bet & Breakfast podcast, but let's dive into the rest of the picks for tonight's slate.

All odds courtesy of WynnBET Sportsbook.

NBA Best Bets Record to Date

• NBA Best Bets Record: 19-26-1 (-8.4966 units)

NBA Best Bets Today

• Minnesota Timberwolves -3.0 vs. New Orleans Pelicans (-110)
• Phoenix Suns-San Antonio Spurs UNDER 220.5 (-110)
• Chicago Bulls Moneyline vs. Indiana Pacers (-150)
• John Collins OVER 16.5 Points (-125)

Minnesota Timberwolves vs. New Orleans Pelicans: Timberwolves -3.0 (-110)

New Orleans is 7-11 against the spread this season, but it has been brutal in terms of winning games without Zion Williamson. Minnesota, on the other hand, has covered the spread in four straight games heading into tonight’s matchup.

As I mentioned on today’s episode of the “Bet & Breakfast” podcast, the Timberwolves are my best bet for tonight in the NBA. 

Minnesota has been on fire as of late, blowing out a horrible Memphis Grizzlies defense on Saturday, and it faces the No. 29-ranked Pelicans defense tonight. Anthony Edwards has been on a tear over his last three (all wins) and I think Minnesota will roll against this Pelicans team. 

New Orleans is 26th in the NBA in offensive rating and 29th in defensive rating while the Wolves post a top-10 defensive rating this season. Minnesota is all 4-4 against the spread on the road this season, which is better than it is at home (3-5). 

Fade the Pelicans until Zion comes back, it’s only right. 

Phoenix Suns vs. San Antonio Spurs: UNDER 220.5 (-110)

The Phoenix Suns are looking to make it 13 straight wins on Monday as they take on the San Antonio Spurs.

I’m going to stay away from picking either team in this game on the spread, as Phoenix may rest players on a back-to-back against a poor Spurs team. 

However, I do like the total in this game with it all the way up at 220.5. NBA unders have been extremely profitable this season, and I’m going to follow that trend in tonight’s game. 

The Spurs have played three straight games under this number, and the Suns have played four of their last five under 220.5. Phoenix has the No. 3 defensive rating in the NBA this season, and the Spurs (24th in offensive rating) haven’t been particularly efficient despite playing at a fast pace. 

Both of these teams play at a top five pace in the league this season, but Phoenix has still been a strong under team, hitting it in 10 of its 16 games this season, including seven times on this 12-game winning streak. 

I think the back-to-back leads to more of a low-scoring affair this time around. 

Indiana Pacers vs. Chicago Bulls: Bulls Moneyline (-150)

Chicago is 12-5 against the spread and 12-5 straight up this season while the Pacers are just 7-11 straight up and 9-9 against the spread through 18 games. Indiana has lost three of its last four, but it did beat the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday. 

Chicago is on a back-to-back, but it has been fantastic at home this season, going 6-2 straight up and covering the spread in four of its six home games as a favorite. 

I am not sold on this Pacers team, as they have underperformed expectations to this point in the season. Domantas Sabonis has taken a step back to Caris LeVert and Malcolm Brogdon, and I’m not sure if that’s actually a good thing for the Pacers. 

Indiana is 3-5 straight up in its eight games as an underdog this season, and I’m going to take Chicago to win this one outright. Coby White’s return has bolstered the Bulls’ bench, and DeMar DeRozan has been on fire as of late. 

I like Chicago -3.0 as well, but give me Chicago at -150 to win. 

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Atlanta Hawks: John Collins OVER 16.5 Points (-125)

John Collins has been fantastic this season, shooting 57.8 percent from the field and 37.0 percent from beyond the arc, and the Hawks get an easy matchup with the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday. 

Collins has been the primary beneficiary of De’Andre Hunter’s wrist injury, as his shots per game have gone from 11.5 to 12.5 per game in the four games since the injury, and the Hawks have won four straight. 

Over that stretch, Collins is averaging 19.3 points per game while shooting 60.0 percent from the field, going over 16.5 points in three of his last four and six of his last eight games. He’s averaging 17.0 points per game, and I think he dominates a young Oklahoma City team that has a -6.8 net rating this season.