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 19.
MORE: Check out the VSiN Pro Picks page for more bets from our talented hosts and analysts!
Houston Rockets at Cleveland Cavaliers – 7:00 pm ET
The Cavaliers are in pretty rough shape when looking at tonight’s injury report. Darius Garland and Jaylon Tyson have already been ruled out for Cleveland, and Sam Merrill is listed as questionable. That said, the Cavaliers could be extremely shorthanded in the backcourt, putting a lot of pressure on Donovan Mitchell to make plays. Well, the Rockets will likely throw Amen Thompson on Mitchell. That doesn’t necessarily mean Mitchell will get shut down. Great scorers can generally get going regardless of the matchup — especially when playing at home. However, Mitchell might have to work harder than usual. I’m also not sure this is a game in which Cleveland’s bigs will have a ton of success. Houston has a massive frontcourt — and one that is tough defensively.
The Rockets also just have a much better statistical profile than the Cavaliers. Houston is first in the NBA in points per 100 possessions (124.8) at Cleaning The Glass; Cleveland is only 13th (117.1). The Rockets are also giving up only 111.8 points per 100 possessions, which is a little better than the Cavaliers’ number of 113.0.
Of course, the fact that this game is in Cleveland does help the Cavaliers quite a bit. But the Rockets are 4-2 with a net rating of +9.0 on the road this year, so it’s not like they’re miserable away from home. Houston is also 21-5 straight-up as a road favorite of 6 or fewer points under Ime Udoka. The Rockets are also 33-14 SU when playing only their second game in five days in that span, so they should be able to take advantage of this being a decent rest spot.
I’ll also note that Cleveland is just 8-10 SU when facing teams that average 9.0 or more steals per game since Kenny Atkinson took over. The Cavaliers can struggle with very aggressive defensive teams.
Bet: Rockets ML (-116 – 2 units)
Charlotte Hornets at Indiana Pacers – 7:00 pm ET
There hasn’t been much to be excited about with the Pacers this season, but I find it odd they’re available at plus-money odds against the Hornets. Charlotte has only one road victory this season. That came against a Washington team that is arguably the worst in basketball. Tonight, they’ll be going into a tough road environment and facing an Indiana team that should present some problems.
The Pacers will have the best player on the floor in this one, with Pascal Siakam being light years above anybody on the Hornets roster. Indiana’s backcourt should also hold up quite well against Charlotte’s, with Andrew Nembhard being a relentless competitor that will take pride in going up against LaMelo Ball. The Pacers also have Bennedict Mathurin back, meaning there’s some perimeter firepower in this backcourt that wasn’t there the last few weeks.
I also don’t think Indiana will get bullied around inside in this one. With Myles Turner gone, the Pacers have one of the worst center rotations in the league. However, the Hornets aren’t exactly great there. Ryan Kalkbrenner and Moussa Diabate have exceeded expectations this season, but the center spot is far from a strength for Charlotte.
The Hornets are also just 0-4 SU under Charles Lee when facing teams that average at least 93.0 shots per game. Their defense hasn’t been good enough to win games against uptempo teams.
Bet: Pacers ML (+110)
Added Best Bets (Parlays, Teasers, Futures)
PARLAY: Raptors Alt +7.5 vs. 76ers & Heat ML vs. Warriors (-118 – 1.5 units)
