Top NBA Picks and Predictions Today (Hornets Snap Losing Streak, Bucks and Clippers Cover as Favorites)

There's a seven-game slate in the NBA on Monday night, with a few stars, including Steph Curry, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Paul George and Trae Young in action.

After previewing every game in The Association tonight, here are three picks that I like the most for Monday's action:

Charlotte Hornets vs. Orlando Magic Odds, Prediction and Pick

Injuries have killed the Hornets early on this season with Ball, Hayward and Terry Rozier all missing significant time. 

The team will have two of those three in the lineup against Orlando, who is without guard Cole Anthony until later this month. The Magic have gotten by with Jalen Suggs running the show, but if Banchero is out, the team loses a lot of its offensive firepower. 

In previous seasons, Charlotte has pushed the pace in a big way, but this season the team is just 16th in the league. The return of Ball should change that, especially against this Orlando team that is still bottom-10 in the NBA in net rating. 

The Hornets aren’t good, but they’ve also been without their All-Star point guard. I’m not going to overreact to the Magic winning two straight and take Charlotte to snap it’s losing streak tonight. 

Los Angeles Clippers vs. Houston Rockets Odds, Prediction and Pick

I’m all about the Clippers in this matchup as road favorites. 

Houston should be a much bigger dog, especially if Green ends up missing the game, giving its ineffectiveness on defense. The Rockets are giving up nearly 118 points per game, which should allow this Clippers offense to get on track after a slow start to the season. 

Los Angeles comes into this game with the league’s worst offensive rating, which has moved it to the bottom 10 in the league in net rating. Despite that, the Clippers still have a net rating that is 5.3 points better than Houston. 

The Clips are 2-0 against Houston this season, winning by eight on the road in their last matchup. I won’t back the Rockets at this number any time soon, so give me Los Angeles tonight. 

Atlanta Hawks vs. Milwaukee Bucks Odds, Prediction and Pick

I swear every time the Hawks play, this trend becomes relevant. 

The Hawks have not covered in their last 42 losses, so whenever they are an underdog, you are better off betting them to win outright than expecting them to cover, no matter the spread. 

With Atlanta coming into this game as a road dog, I actually think there is value on Milwaukee to come away with its 11th win of the season. 

The Bucks had to have seen Joel Embiid dominate this Hawks frontcourt in Atlanta’s last game, and Giannis should have his way with them on Monday night. While Atlanta has been solid at home, going 5-2 this season, it is just 3-3 on the road. 

Milwaukee found a way to win without Holiday and Giannis against OKC, and the team is a perfect 7-0 at home. The Hawks don’t cover in losses, so if Milwaukee is going to win, I’m going to bet it to cover as well.