The NBA slate is loaded Monday. The Bucks look revenge for the Cavs after a tough loss Saturday. Boston looks to keep its winning ways going. The Lakers look for another big win vs. a bad team on the road, and the Thunder get a great spot vs. the Magic.
Let's get to our NBA predictions and NBA picks for today from the "Buckets" podcast crew.
NBA Picks, Predictions Today
- Knicks -3.5 vs. Rockets
- Knicks-Pistons under 218.5
- Keegan Murray over 13.5 points
- Magic Team Total Under 102.5
- Thunder -11.5 vs. Magic
- Lakers -6.5 vs. Pistons
- Ayo Dosunmu over points
Knicks at Pistons
| Knicks Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-3.5 -110 | 219 -110o / -110u | -165 |
| Rockets Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+3.5 -110 | 219 -110o / -110u | +140 |
By Joe Dellera:
"The Knicks have faced one of the toughest schedules so far, and despite that, they've shown signs of being a well-rounded team. Houston hasn't had to deal with an offense as dynamic as New York's, and Brunson and company have favorable matchups, especially in attacking Sengun defensively."
Pick: Knicks -3.5
"These are two of the three slowest-paced teams in the league, and the Rockets have gone 4-1 to the under this season. The Knicks’ defense is due for some regression back to their usual standards, and Houston doesn’t have the firepower to exploit their recent struggles defending twos."
Pick: Under 218.5
Kings at Heat
| Kings Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+2 -108 | 226.5 -108o / -112u | +110 |
| Heat Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-2 -112 | 226.5 -108o / -112u | -130 |
"He's been awesome to start the season, hitting this in five of six games, and he's averaging 14.5 points per game. Against Miami, Murray historically finds good looks, and with their defensive scheme allowing more three-point opportunities, I think he clears this easily."
Pick: Keegan Murray over 13.5 points
Magic at Thunder
| Magic Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+12.5 -108 | 214.5 -110o / -110u | +560 |
| Thunder Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-12.5 -112 | 214.5 -110o / -110u | -800 |
"Without Paolo, this Magic offense is ugly. They barely managed 109 on Friday, thanks to a fluky second half, and they’re coming off a physical game against the Mavericks. Now they face a stifling Thunder defense on a back-to-back, and I don’t see them cracking triple digits."
Pick: Magic team total under 102.5
"The Thunder are 9-3 ATS when facing teams on the second night of a back-to-back, and Orlando is in a tough spot after a bruising game against Dallas. This Thunder defense is legit, and I expect a blowout, especially with the Magic missing Paolo and lacking offensive options."
Pick: Thunder -11.5
Lakers at Pistons
"The Lakers dominate bad teams, and Detroit is on a back-to-back after a tough game. Anthony Davis and LeBron are rested and should control this game from start to finish. The Pistons simply aren’t equipped to keep this close on the road, and I have this line projected closer to -9."
Jazz at Bulls
| Magic Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+12.5 -108 | 214.5 -110o / -110u | +560 |
| Thunder Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-12.5 -112 | 214.5 -110o / -110u | -800 |
"The Bulls are playing at the fastest offensive pace in the league, and Dosunmu has adjusted well to their new tempo. He doesn’t attack the rim much, which is perfect against a Jazz defense that relies on Walker Kessler's interior presence. I like him to get over this low number."
BUCKETS BONUS PARLAY:
Knicks Moneyline
Karl-Anthony Towns 20+ points
Aleperen Sengun under 31.5 points plus rebounds plus assists
Under 218.5
"Putting together a correlated parlay makes sense here. Brunson’s assists and Towns' points should both thrive if the Knicks control the game, and Sengun’s PRA under looks good since he’ll struggle defensively and might see limited minutes. This pays out nicely at +650."
Parlay:+650 (DraftKings)
