Top NBA Picks and Predictions Today (Bet Blazers, Clippers as Favorites, Total in Spurs-Kings)
There are three games in the NBA on Thursday, Nov. 17, and the BetSided team of Peter Dewey and Donnavan Smoot has picks for each game tonight.
There are two favorites and one total we like, so let's jump into these games:
Brooklyn Nets vs. Portland Trail Blazers Odds, Prediction and Pick
The Nets’ resurgence was a breath of fresh air, however a 32-point loss smacked them back to reality. Brooklyn is 16th in offensive rating, but 21st in defensive rating. They now go on the road to face the Blazers who have won four of their last five games. Portland is 12th in offensive rating, just slightly above average. However, it is in the top 10 in defensive rating.
Portland is 4-2 ATS at home and 2-0 SU as the home favorite. The Blazers are a good team and will be backed by their home crowd.
A majority of the Nets’ losses have come to teams firmly in the playoff picture right now. They have problems matching up with elite teams, as they are not one right now.
Unless Kevin Durant goes insane tonight, give me the Blazers.
San Antonio Spurs vs. Sacramento Kings Odds, Prediction and Pick
The San Antonio Spurs and Sacramento Kings are built for a shootout, as both teams are top 10 in the NBA in pace, bottom five in defensive rating and the Kings rank second in offensive rating.
San Antonio’s offense may not be as efficient, but these teams are going to push the ball all night.
The Kings have landed on or gone over 237 points in four of their last six games. While the Spurs haven’t gone OVER this number nearly as much, but they give up the most points per game in the NBA and rank 15th in points per game scored.
Let’s root for points in Sacramento.
Detroit Pistons vs. Los Angeles Clippers Odds, Prediction and Pick
My initial reaction to seeing this line was to pick the Pistons ATS, as the Clippers’ 29th-ranked offense is a cause for concern. However, this is a good time to put your Clippers worries aside and back them.
Los Angeles has covered the last three times its been at least a 9-point favorite. Over the last five games, the Clippers have gone from the 29th-ranked offense to the 19th-ranked offense. After a tough start, L.A. has gone 6-3 in their last nine games.
As for the Pistons, they are 1-5-1 ATS in their last seven games as 9-point underdogs. Detroit also has the worst defensive rating in the league. The Pistons are also 1-5-1 ATS this season as the road team.
There is nothing that tells me to back the Pistons, so we’ll ride with Los Angeles.
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.