The second week of the NBA season tips off Monday with some heavyweight battles. The Knicks are 3-point favorites vs. the Cleveland Cavaliers looking to hand the Cavs their first loss of the season at MSG.
The Nuggets try and get back on track with their first win of the season vs. Toronto as a 7.5-point road favorite, and the Lakers try and stay undefeated in the Valley of the Sun vs. Phoenix as a 3.5-point road dog.
Let's get to our best NBA bets today and NBA picks for Monday from the "Buckets" crew.
NBA Best Bets for Today
- Cavaliers to cover the spread vs. Knicks
- Jalen Duren over 22.5 points plus rebounds plus assists
- Christian Braun over 4.5 rebounds
- Rockets-Spurs over
- Jazz-Mavericks over
Cavaliers vs. Knicks
| Cavaliers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+3 -109 | 223 -112o / -109u | +128 |
| Knicks Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-3 -112 | 223 -112o / -109u | -157 |
"The Cavs are a team I’ve been high on all offseason and I think they’re being undervalued in the market. Even with Mitchell and Precious out, I like Cleveland here — they’ve been steady, while the Knicks have been inconsistent. I think Cleveland covers in a close game at MSG."
Pick: Cavaliers +3 vs. Knicks
Pistons vs. Heat
| Pistons Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+8 -110 | 220.5 -108o / -112u | +295 |
| Heat Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-8 -110 | 220.5 -108o / -112u | -375 |
"Jalen Duren has hit this line in four of his last five games against Bam and is averaging 27.8 points + rebounds when playing 25+ minutes. Miami doesn’t ask Bam to dominate the boards, which sets Duren up well to clear this number."
Pick: Jalen Duren Over 22.5 Points + Rebounds vs. Heat
Nuggets at Raptors
| Bulls Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+9.5 -108 | 233.5 -110o / -110u | +330 |
| Bucks Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-9.5 -112 | 233.5 -110o / -110u | -425 |
"Braun’s grabbed 7 boards in each of Denver’s two games, showing hustle and awareness. With plenty of rebounding chances and a favorable matchup against Toronto, he should comfortably hit this mark again."
Pick: Christian Braun over 4.5 rebounds
Rockets at Spurs
| Rockets Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-3 -106 | 220.5 -108o / -112u | -148 |
| Spurs Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+3 -114 | 220.5 -108o / -112u | +126 |
"Despite positive defensive numbers, the Spurs give up a 118 defensive rating with Wemby on the floor, which opens up the over here. The Rockets have solid offensive potential, and both teams’ styles could lead to a high total."
Pick: Over 220.5
Jazz at Mavericks
| Jazz Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+10.5 -110 | 234 -105o / -115u | +430 |
| Mavericks Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-10.5 -110 | 234 -105o / -115u | -600 |
"This play is all about Dallas’s high-powered offense against a weak Utah defense. Dallas’s defense has improved, but Utah’s scoring consistency makes this a strong over spot. I’ll also consider a smaller play on the Dallas team total over."
Pick: Over 234
NBA Odds
| Pacers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+6 -108 | 224 -108o / -112u | +205 |
| Magic Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-6 -112 | 224 -108o / -112u | -250 |
| Wizards Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+7.5 -110 | 231.5 -108o / -112u | +245 |
| Hawks Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-7.5 -110 | 231.5 -108o / -112u | -305 |
| Nuggets Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-8 -110 | 219.5 -112o / -108u | -345 |
| Raptors Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+8 -110 | 219.5 -112o / -108u | +275 |
| Cavaliers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+3 -112 | 223 -112o / -108u | +120 |
| Knicks Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-3 -108 | 223 -112o / -108u | -142 |
| Pistons Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+8 -110 | 220.5 -108o / -112u | +275 |
| Heat Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-8 -110 | 220.5 -108o / -112u | -345 |
| Bucks Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+9.5 -110 | 234 -110o / -110u | +360 |
| Celtics Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-9.5 -110 | 234 -110o / -110u | -470 |
| Rockets Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-3 -105 | 221 -110o / -110u | -142 |
| Spurs Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+3 -115 | 221 -110o / -110u | +120 |
| Bulls Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+8 -115 | 234 -110o / -110u | +260 |
| Grizzlies Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-8 -105 | 234 -110o / -110u | -325 |
| Jazz Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+10.5 -108 | 233 -112o / -108u | +425 |
| Mavericks Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-10.5 -112 | 233 -112o / -108u | -575 |
| Trail Blazers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+12.5 -110 | 228 -110o / -110u | +600 |
| Kings Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-12.5 -110 | 228 -110o / -110u | -900 |
| Lakers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+3 -115 | 227 -108o / -112u | +120 |
| Suns Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-3 -105 | 227 -108o / -112u | -142 |
