Thursday features a solid slate of four NBA games, with the action starting in Washington and Philadelphia before wrapping up with Hornets vs. Suns in Phoenix.
Our NBA predictions highlight the featured picks from Covers analysts across the slate.
See more expert betting angles in our free NBA picks for Nov. 12.
NBA top picks at a glance (Thursday, Nov. 12)
| Matchup & time | Top pick & analyst |
|---|---|
| Pistons vs. Wizards 7 p.m. |
Pistons -10.5 Quinn Allen |
| Raptors vs. 76ers 7 p.m. |
Raptors +8.5 Chris Walder |
| Mavericks vs. Timberwolves 8 p.m. |
Mavericks moneyline Zak Hanshew |
| Hornets vs. Suns 9 p.m. |
Suns -6.5 Tom Oldfield |
Picks courtesy of Polymarket, one of our best prediction market apps.
Trade on the NBA at Polymarket!
Sign up now using our exclusive Polymarket promo code 'COVERS' (on your mobile app only) and get a $25 trading bonus after you deposit $10 to trade on any event contracts!
*Eligible locations only
Pistons vs Wizards pick: Pistons -10.5
- Time: 7 p.m.
- TV: Monumental Sports Network, FanDuel Sports Network Detroit
- Analyst: Quinn Allen
Top pick: Pistons -10.5
Play up to 57%.
The Detroit Pistons have established themselves as one of the NBA's best defensive teams, ranking second in defensive rating and third in opponent turnover rate by forcing giveaways on 15.7% of defensive possessions.
That defensive pressure should overwhelm a Washington Wizards squad that ranks 27th in forcing turnovers (11.9%), averages just 107.5 points per game, and enters on the second night of a back-to-back amid a five-game losing skid.
Detroit already beat Washington by 11 points on Monday and has covered in four straight outings as a road favorite, making the Pistons a strong play at 52%.
Read Quinn Allen's full Pistons vs. Wizards predictions for more picks.
Raptors vs 76ers pick: Raptors +8.5
- Time: 7 p.m.
- TV: TSN, NBC Sports Philadelphia
- Analyst: Chris Walder
Top pick: Raptors +8.5
Play up to 58%.
There could be a residual effect for the Toronto Raptors after blowing a 22-point lead on Wednesday, and another outright defeat is in the cards at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
Even so, getting Toronto at +8.5—its largest underdog spread of the season—offers clear value against the Philadelphia 76ers, particularly with Immanuel Quickley back in action and Philadelphia dealing with key injury questions on its roster.
Read Chris Walder's full Raptors vs. 76ers predictions for more picks.
Mavericks vs Timberwolves pick: Mavericks moneyline
- Time: 8 p.m.
- TV: NBA TV
- Analyst: Zak Hanshew
Top pick: Mavericks moneyline
Play up to 45%.
The Dallas Mavericks are on a heater, winning six of their last eight games overall and six of their last seven with both Cooper Flagg and Kyrie Irving available.
Dallas ranks fifth in the NBA in percentage of points on fast breaks (14.5%) and percentage of points in the paint (42.6%), which sets up well against a Minnesota Timberwolves defense allowing the seventh-most points in the paint (50.0) and 10th-most fast-break points (14.9).
Dallas has covered in four straight games as an underdog, and with Minnesota missing Anthony Edwards, I'll back the Mavericks to pull off the road upset at 37%.
Read Zak Hanshew's full Mavericks vs. Timberwolves predictions for more picks.
Hornets vs Suns pick: Suns -6.5
- Time: 9 p.m.
- TV: FanDuel Sports Network Southeast, Arizona's Family Sports
- Analyst: Tom Oldfield
Top pick: Suns -6.5
Play up to 55%.
There's no sign of last year's feel-good factor for the struggling Charlotte Hornets, who enter Footprint Center as 6.5-point road underdogs against the Phoenix Suns.
Phoenix has won three of its last four games behind Devin Booker orchestrating the offense, while Charlotte is treading water defensively and dealing with frontcourt injury concerns.
I'll back the Suns to take care of business at home and cover the 6.5-point spread at 52%.
Read Tom Oldfield's full Hornets vs. Suns predictions for more picks.
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.
Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
