Top NBA Picks and Predictions Today (Trust Nuggets & Bucks As Underdogs)
We’re getting started on all of our weekend betting here at BetSided, with an 11-game slate today in the NBA.
BetSided knows it’s easy to get lost in all the games happening, so here are our favorite plays for tonight’s slate.
Nuggets vs. Mavericks Prediction and Pick
I know the Nuggets are going to be without Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic. It’s going to be an uphill battle, but we’re going to underreact and still take the Nuggets on the spread tonight.
Dallas hasn’t covered in 10 straight games and even lost to the Houston Rockets in its last game. As great as Luka Dončić has been, the Mavericks are only 13th in offense. They aren’t spectacular by any means.
The Mavs have won by double digits just once this season. I just don’t think it’s in their DNA to blow teams out.
Take the Nuggets tonight and trust what the Mavs have shown us all season. – Donnavan Smoot
Bucks vs. Sixers Prediction and Pick
Milwaukee has dominated this matchup for the last four years. The Bucks are 8-2 in the last 10 games against the Sixers and will move to 9-1 tonight.
Milwaukee’s only lost three games this year and it’s because of its defense. The Bucks have the best defense in the league, which has made up for the fact they are in the bottom 10 in offense right now.
I don’t think the offense will matter as much in this game, as both teams are top 4 in defensive rating right now. You could back the UNDER – as the first meeting was 90-88. However, with Antetokounmpo and the Bucks rolling, I’ll back them to continue beating Philadelphia. – Donnavan Smoot
Celtics vs. Pelicans Prediction and Pick
These are two of the best offensive teams in the league. The Celtics have the best offensive rating, and the Pelicans have the fifth-best offensive rating. I expect there to be a lot of points – despite some of the injury concerns.
The Celtics are expected to get Malcolm Brogdon, so they’ll have one of their better point guards available. As for the Pelicans, they may be without Zion Williamson again. He sat out of the Pelicans’ last game with a foot contusion.
Tonight, even if he’s missing, the Pelicans will be able to put up a decent amount of points. They’ve already played games without Williamson this season, so it won’t be too much of an adjustment.
Boston and New Orleans are second and third, respectively, in hitting the OVER this season, so I’ll take that play today.
If you want to take a side, Boston would be the way to go. The Celtics’ offense is on a different level right now and I’ll continue to back it. – Donnavan Smoot