It’s Friday night and you know what that means. There is a full slate of NBA games on the schedule. Golden State continues to lead the Western Conference with a 10-1 record heading into tonight.
One look at the East and, surprise! The Washington Wizards and Chicago Bulls lead the standing with identical 8-3 records. There’s still plenty of basketball to be played. Here’s the top five NBA picks for Friday, November 12, 2021.
Detroit Pistons vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
Pistons vs. Cavaliers Prediction
Best Bet: OVER 200.5
When is the last time you saw a total this low? The Pistons don’t even average 100 points a game and the Cavs play pretty good defense. Detroit did scored 112 in its last game, a 112-104 win over Houston.
In their previous four games, the Pistons scored 90, 98, 89, and 91 points. Detroit is rebuilding. Cleveland is playing well. The Pistons should be able to get close to 100 and the Cavs will do the rest. Play the Over.
Milwaukee Bucks vs. Boston Celtics
Best Bet: UNDER 212
Both the Bucks and the Celtics are ailing. Khris Middleton continues to be out for Milwaukee. Giannis Antetonkounmpo was hurt in the Bucks last game and is listed as probable for Friday. Boston will be without Jaylen Brown.
The Celtics have played well over their last four games winning three. All four games were low-scoring and the Under went 3-0-1.
Milwaukee has consecutive wins over New York and Philadelphia scoring 112 and 118 points in the process. Interestingly, the Under went 3-1 in the Bucks last four games and is 8-1 in the last nine. It’s a low total tonight, but the Bucks have been leaning on defense and with all that star power out this game goes Under.
Chicago Bulls vs. Golden State Warriors
Best Bet: WARRIORS -5.5
Two of the top teams in their respective conferences square off Friday night in San Francisco. The 10-1 Warriors take on the 7-3 Bulls.
The stars will shine in this game. For the Bulls that’s DeMar DeRozan and for the Warriors it’s Stephen Curry whose 27.4 points per game is second in the league.
Draymond Green could be out, but remember Golden State ranks in the top five in both scoring offense and scoring defense. Golden State is 5-0-1 ATS in their last six games. Even if Green doesn’t play, the Bulls will struggle against that Warriors defense.
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. LA Lakers
Timberwolves vs. Lakers Prediction
Best Bet: LAKERS -2.5
Somehow, the Lakers managed a pair of wins over Charlotte and Miami without LeBron James in the lineup. Anthony Davis has stepped as well as Russell Westbrook, who recorded triple-doubles in both games.
The T-Wolves are on a tumble. They have lost six straight and have not covered a spread in any of the six games.
It’s also interesting that the Lakers have scored 120 or more points in each of their past two games. Now, both of those games did go to overtime, but LA did score 115 and 112, respectively, in regulation. The Lakers are playing at the fastest pace in the league right now.
While there may be a play on the total, the best bet is on the Lakers to cover the 2.5 against a T-Wolves team that is falling apart.
New York Knicks vs. Charlotte Hornets
Best Bet: KNICKS -1.5
The Hornets have cooled off dramatically since a hot start to open the season. Before a win over Memphis on Wednesday night, Charlotte had lost five straight. The big problem is defense.
Charlotte ranks dead last in the NBA giving up 117.5 points per game. The Knicks are seventh in scoring (110.8 ppg) and the defense is slowing coming back, which is why they win and cover.