Top NBA Picks and Predictions Today (Pelicans & Celtics Set To Keep Winning)
We have five games on this Tuesday night. Several of the top teams are in action with the top seed in the Western and Eastern Conference set to suit up tonight.
Aside from the New Orleans Pelicans and Boston Celtics, the Golden State Warriors, Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers are in action as well.
There’s a lot of great games to get to, so here are the best bets from the BetSided team today.
Pelicans vs. Jazz Prediction and Pick
This is the first of two games in a row that these teams will play against each other, and I think this line is too short for the surging Pels.
New Orleans has been on fire as of late, climbing to No. 2 in the NBA in net rating and ranking fifth in offense and third in defense.
The Jazz are still an elite offense this season, but they have fallen all the way to 24th in the league in defensive rating, a major problem when you’re facing an elite offense like the Pelicans.
This is just the seventh time this season that the Pelicans have been favored on the road, going 4-2 against the spread in their first six games in this spot.
The Jazz may be a better team at home, but I question how they’ll match up with Zion down low, especially since they’ve lost to the Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves in their last two games, allowing 22 and 13 to Rudy Gobert and a 31-point triple double to Nikola Jokic.
Back the Pels to extend their winning streak to eight games. – Peter Dewey
Warriors vs. Bucks Prediction and Pick
Although there is just a one-game difference between these teams’ last 10 game record, and the numbers have played out in that way too. The Bucks’ net rating in that span is just 1.2 points ahead of the Warriors. Offensively, the teams are nearly the same. The difference comes on defense – where Golden State has struggled all year.
Despite the minimal difference in the record and stats, the Bucks have the advantage tonight. Milwaukee has been fantastic at home, going 12-3. Golden State has been the exact opposite. The Warriors are 2-11 on the road. They haven’t figured out how to win away from the Chase Center.
Even though Golden State just blew out the league-leading Celtics, I don’t think it’ll be able to do it against another top team tonight. – Donnavan Smoot
Celtics vs. Lakers Prediction and Pick
The Lakers are in the middle of their best stretch of the season, but I’m going to fade them tonight. Los Angeles’ net rating over the last 10 games is 2.2; Boston’s is 7.7. The Celtics, even with two straight losses, are a tier above the Lakers.
While Anthony Davis’ dominance gives the Lakers a shot, the Celtics simply have too many offensive options to throw at the Lakers.
Furthermore, Los Angeles is 11-15 SU. In wins, the Lakers are 11-0 ATS. In losses, they are 0-15 ATS. Even though Boston is just 6-7 ATS as a road favorite this season, the Lakers’ record speaks for itself – which is why Boston on the spread is the best pick for this game. – Donnavan Smoot
Kings vs. Sixers Prediction and Pick
With Fox’s status up in the air for this game, I lean with Philly to pick up its 10th home win of the season, and cover the spread once again at Wells Fargo Center.
This line is down to five at FanDuel Sportsbook, which seems a little short for a Sixers team that has back-to-back double digit wins over the Los Angeles Lakers and Charlotte Hornets.
Philly ranks eighth in the NBA in net rating and fourth in defensive rating, a major key when it could be facing a shorthanded Kings team.
Fox has missed three games this season, and the Kings’ offense has sputtered in those games with the team going 1-2.
Sacramento has scored 107, 106 and 99 points in the three games that Fox has missed. The team averages 118 points per game this season, good for second in the NBA.
Obviously, Fox could still suit up, but even if he does, Philly can really sway this game in its favor by controlling the pace.
The Kings love to get out in transition for easy baskets, playing at the sixth fastest pace in the NBA.
However, with Harden and Embiid as dominant offensive players, the Sixers play a much more deliberate style of basketball, ranking 27th in the league in pace.
After watching the Kings struggle with New York, I think this is a spot to back Philly as just a five-point favorite. – Peter Dewey
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.