Every night of the 2025-26 NBA season gives us a fresh set of games and numbers to pick apart. This daily column digs into the best sides and totals on the board, using in-depth basketball analysis, betting trends, and our VSiN NBA betting splits to spot value. We’ll also be tackling these slates relentlessly on our live VSiN programming, which is why basketball fans should really consider a VSiN Pro subscription. Below you’ll find some NBA picks and predictions for November 17.
MORE: Check out the VSiN Pro Picks page for more bets from our talented hosts and analysts!
New York Knicks at Miami Heat – 7:30 pm ET
The Knicks earned a 140-132 win over the Heat at Madison Square Garden on Friday, picking up a big victory in NBA Cup group play. However, that was a game in which Landry Shamet exploded for 36 points off the bench. I’m not sure New York will get that type of production out of him again. In fact, the Knicks would be lucky if he gives them one-third of that.
New York is also missing Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby now, with the latter picking up a hamstring injury in Friday’s game. The Knicks are now just as shorthanded as the Heat, who are without Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro. With the playing field leveled, I like Miami to bounce back in a big way.
The Heat are 5-1 with a +5.8 net rating at home this season, while the Knicks are 0-3 with a net rating of -8.5 on the road. That said, playing at the Kaseya Center could be big in determining the outcome.
I also don’t see Erik Spoelstra losing two games in a row against the same opponent, especially with a full two days to look over the film.
Look for Miami’s bench to be a big difference-maker here. The Heat have gotten some good play from the reserves all year long — with Jaime Jaquez Jr. looking awesome thus far. Well, the Knicks might be a bit thin on the bench with two key players out. And the players they’ll be counting on to step up might not be as comfortable playing on the road.
Bet: Heat ML (-120 – 1.5 units)
Added Plays (Parlays, Teasers, Futures)
PARLAY: Pistons ML vs. Pacers & Raptors ML vs. Hornets (-145 – 1.5 units)
Cooper Flagg To Win Rookie of the Year (-115 – 3 units)
Keyonte George To Win Most Improved Player (35-1 – 0.25 units)
Jaden McDaniels To Win Most Improved Player (100-1 – 0.1 units)
Rockets To Win Western Conference (+850 – 1.5 units): I already have Houston to win the NBA Finals at 16-1 from before the year, but I’m adding to my Rockets position with a play in the West.
NOTE: I talked a little about all of these plays on the November 17 episode of Hardwood Handicappers. Make sure you listen for my thoughts behind all of them. However, I made them official after the episode, so everything listed above is how I played the futures.
