Sunday's NBA predictions feature four top picks from our analysts: Over 221.5 in Celtics vs. Magic, Pacers -3.5 against the Nets, Clippers moneyline at the Warriors, and Raptors +2.5 at the Lakers.
Below, you'll find each top pick, the reasoning behind it, and where to watch. For more plays on today's slate, head to our full list of NBA picks.
NBA top picks at a glance (Sunday, Nov. 1)
| Matchup & time | Top pick & analyst |
|---|---|
| Celtics vs. Magic 3:30 p.m. ET |
Over 221.5 Zak Hanshew |
| Nets vs. Pacers 5 p.m. ET |
Pacers -3.5 Shawn Krest |
| Clippers vs. Warriors 8:30 p.m. ET |
Clippers moneyline Tom Oldfield |
| Raptors vs. Lakers 9 p.m. ET |
Raptors +2.5 Chris Walder |
Picks courtesy of Polymarket, one of our best prediction market apps.
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Celtics vs. Magic pick: Over 221.5
- Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
- TV: Peacock
- Analyst: Zak Hanshew
Top pick: Over 221.5
Zak Hanshew projects a total closer to 230, so he's happy to trade the Over at 221.5 (50%) for strong value. Boston leads the league in scoring over its last three games at 128 points per game, and Orlando's output has stayed nearly identical without Paolo Banchero and Jalen Suggs.
Suggs' absence removes the Magic's best perimeter defender, which should open up looks for Boston's 3-point barrage. Orlando still has capable scorers in Franz Wagner and Desmond Bane. Hanshew breaks it down in his Celtics vs. Magic predictions.
Nets vs. Pacers pick: Pacers -3.5
- Time: 5 p.m. ET
- TV: YES Network
- Analyst: Shawn Krest
Top pick: Pacers -3.5
Indiana is banged up, but Shawn Krest is sticking with the Pacers and would give the points until 55%. They're without Tyrese Haliburton and several others, but they get coach Rick Carlisle back after he missed Friday's 20-point loss at Miami to attend his father's funeral.
Brooklyn is in worse shape. The Nets are missing rookie Mikel Brown Jr. and point guard Egor Demin, and they're the East's last winless team after a season-worst 94 points in a 16-point loss to Detroit. Krest explains in his Nets vs. Pacers predictions.
Clippers vs. Warriors pick: Clippers moneyline
- Time: 8:30 p.m. ET
- TV: ClipperVision, NBCS-Bay Area
- Analyst: Tom Oldfield
Top pick: Clippers moneyline
Tom Oldfield likes the Clippers to win outright and would play the moneyline up to 50%. The Warriors were 13-26 straight up without Steph Curry last season, and he's just as irreplaceable now, ranking among the league's top five starters in usage rate. With Draymond Green also in street clothes, Golden State has little margin.
Despite a 1-4 start, Los Angeles has held three of its five opponents under 110 points, and a Darius Garland-led offense can create easy buckets tonight. The Clippers are missing key starters too, but they have athletic defenders to throw at Yaxel Lendeborg, went 14-10 ATS as a road underdog last year and have won eight of the past 10 meetings. Oldfield makes the case in his Clippers vs. Warriors predictions.
Raptors vs. Lakers pick: Raptors +2.5
- Time: 9 p.m. ET
- TV: Spectrum SportsNet, Sportsnet
- Analyst: Chris Walder
Top pick: Raptors +2.5
The Lakers rank second in offense at 119.3 points per 100 possessions but scored just 95 in a 17-point loss to Golden State on Friday. Chris Walder blames a 40% shooting night, but against a Toronto defense holding opponents to 103.2 points per 100 possessions (second in the NBA), another cold spell could mean a third loss in four games.
Toronto's plan is to pressure Luka Doncic, whose 39.8 usage rate is first among players and who is turning it over a career-high 5.2 times per game. The Raptors force a league-best 21.4 turnovers per game. Walder says Toronto is playable to 55% in his Raptors vs. Lakers predictions.
More NBA picks
Want to build a bigger card? These Covers roundups cover every bet type for today's games:
Check the NBA injury report before finalizing today's picks.
All of today’s matchups are also on the NBA scores and matchups page, and the full pick archive lives in free NBA picks.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
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