Now that the weekend is here, it’s time to simplify the grind. Instead of splitting sides/totals and player props into separate pieces, my weekend columns will bring everything under one roof — a streamlined look at my favorite bets for the day’s slate. Fewer words, hopefully the same results. Keep reading for my NBA picks and predictions for Saturday, November 14.
RELATED: Check out the Pro Picks page for more selections from our talented VSiN hosts and analysts!
NBA Best Bets Today
No sides/totals as of right now. Check the Pro Picks page later.
NBA Player Props Today
Nikola Jokic Over 9.5 Assists (-125) vs. Pelicans
Nuggets at Pelicans – 7:00 pm ET
We cashed with Ty Jerome’s assist prop against the Pelicans last night, and we’re hoping to do the same with Jokic. New Orleans ranks second-worst in basketball in raw defensive rating, and it’s one of the worst teams in the league at preventing assists. This season, Jokic is averaging 10.0 assists per game against bottom-10 defenses, and two of those three games were 10-assist performances against this very defense.
Bam Adebayo Over 29.5 Points + Rebounds + Assists (-122) vs.Pistons
Pistons at Heat – 8:00 pm ET
Adebayo has posted at least 30 combined points, rebounds, and assists in three of his last five games, including 54 against the Cavaliers last night. Miami is doing a better job of getting him touches, and he’s responding by filling up the stat sheet. Tonight, he faces a Detroit team playing without Jalen Duren, which means the Pistons lack the size and toughness to slow him down.
Nolan Traore Over 11.5 Points (-125 – 1.5 units) & Alt Points 15+ (+180 – 0.5 units) vs. Grizzlies
Nets at Grizzlies – 8:00 pm ET
The last time I tried to ladder Traore, the talented French guard ended up sitting. This time, the 20-year-old is listed as probable, and I expect him to play. If he does, there’s no reason he can’t turn in a good scoring performance. Traore has scored at least 14 points in seven of his last eight games, and he has a plus matchup. The Grizzlies play fast and struggle to defend lead guards, so his blazing speed should be a major asset.
Additional Plays (Late Adds, Teasers, Parlays, Futures)
Rudy Gobert Double-Double (+150 – 0.5 units) vs. Bulls
