Top NBA Picks and Predictions Today (Best Bets For Knicks-Bucks, Lakers-T-Wolves & Suns-Pelicans
The NBA has blessed us with a giant Friday slate, and the BetSided team is ready.
If you want to go all in on today's games and test the prop market, we have you covered. We have some great intra-conference matchups today with the Knicks and Bucks meeting and the Pelicans and Suns playing for the first time since their playoff series last year.
With 11 games to bet, here are our favorite picks.
Knicks vs. Bucks Prediction and Pick
The Knicks are out to a 3-1 start, but they have been able to handle some of the bottom tier teams in the Eastern Conference, so it could be a bit misleading. The team may be top 10 in both offense and defensive rating, but have also played the second easiest schedule in terms of net rating according to dunksandthrees.com.
Ironically, the Bucks have played the easiest! However, they have the proven star in Antetokounmpo and formula for success to trust this team at home to get the cover. The Bucks have the best defense in basketball thus far, despite playing high powered offenses like the Sixers and Nets.
I'll trust Milwaukee to cash as home favorites. – Reed Wallach
PICK: Bucks -5.5
Lakers vs. Timberwolves Prediction and Pick
The Lakers have the worst offense in the NBA on a points per 100 possession basis and have a top five defense in that metric, yet this total sits near 230. I'm not sure why.
The Timberwolves defense has been decent thus far, just around league average, which is down for their lofty expectations around Rudy Gobert, but they should bolster their defensive rating against a Lakers team that is the worst shooting team in the league.
The Lakers have gone under in three of four games this season and the only one that went over was 224. This game has an implied team total of 110.5 for the Lakers, a mark they haven't hit yet this season and they face a solid defense. I have to go under here amidst the Lakers struggles on offense. – Reed Wallach
PICK: UNDER 230
Pelicans vs. Suns Prediction and Pick
This game is really going to come down to who’s healthy and who’s not. We already know that Brandon Ingram is going to be out, and we’re still waiting to hear about Zion Williamson’s status.
The Pelicans have been great this season. They are sixth in the league in net rating and have the second-best offense in the league in terms of points per 100 possessions. However, as great as the Pelicans have been, Phoenix has been just as good, if not better.
Phoenix is third in net rating, powered by their 7th-best offensive rating and top 3 defense. Even with Chris Paul’s slow start, the Suns have won games early on in the season.
I would wait until we get more information on Zion, but until then, Phoenix is the play. They are continuing to be the well-oiled machine they were last season and deserve our trust against a hurting Pelicans squad. – Donnavan Smoot
PICK: Suns -7.5
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.