We've put together our NBA predictions for Monday, Nov. 9, with expert picks covering tonight's slate. Our top picks include spreads, player props, and a game total, with analysis from our Covers betting analysts.
Check out today's best bets below, along with links to each expert's full prediction and analysis. See more expert betting angles in our free NBA picks.
NBA top picks at a glance Monday, Nov. 9
| Matchup | Top pick & analyst |
|---|---|
| Cavaliers vs. Hornets | Cavaliers -8.5 Quinn Allen |
| Wizards vs. Pistons | Ausar Thompson Over 7.5 rebounds Quinn Allen |
| Lakers vs. Hawks | Hawks moneyline Geoff Clark |
| Grizzlies vs. Raptors | Raptors -3.5 Chris Walder |
| Pacers vs. Mavericks | Over 225.5 points Geoff Clark |
| Nuggets vs. Rockets | Jabari Smith Jr. Over 2.5 threes Todd Cordell |
| Spurs vs. Suns | Spurs -8.5 Tom Oldfield |
| Pelicans vs. Warriors | Warriors -9.5 Dustin Saracini |
Picks courtesy of Polymarket, one of our best prediction market apps.
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Cavaliers vs. Hornets pick: Cavaliers -8.5
- Time: 7 p.m. ET
- TV: DAZN-Cleveland, DAZN-Charlotte
- Analyst: Quinn Allen
Top pick: Cavaliers -8.5
The Cleveland Cavaliers have been inconsistent to start the season, but they're still in a much better position than the Charlotte Hornets. Cleveland is averaging 20.7 more points per game, while Charlotte ranks last in scoring at just 96.3 points per contest.
The Hornets have struggled on both ends, ranking 30th offensively and allowing opponents to shoot an NBA-worst 40.8% from 3-point range. Cleveland ranks second in 3-point attempts and ninth in percentage, giving the visitors a significant advantage from beyond the arc. Charlotte's turnover problems should also create opportunities for the Cavs to pull away.
Read Quinn Allen's full Cavaliers vs. Hornets prediction.
Wizards vs. Pistons pick: Ausar Thompson Over 7.5 rebounds
- Time: 7 p.m. ET
- TV: Peacock
- Analyst: Quinn Allen
Top pick: Ausar Thompson Over 7.5 rebounds
The Detroit Pistons have been one of the NBA's best defensive teams, ranking third in defensive rating and allowing just 103.9 points per game. The Washington Wizards have lost three straight by an average of 20.3 points and scored just 75 against Oklahoma City on Saturday.
Ausar Thompson has grabbed 28 rebounds over his last two games, including 17 against the Philadelphia 76ers and 11 against the Los Angeles Lakers. He's cleared this line in four of his last five appearances, and with Jalen Duren sidelined, Thompson should continue to get plenty of rebounding opportunities against a Washington team ranked 26th on the glass.
Read Quinn Allen's full Wizards vs. Pistons prediction.
Lakers vs. Hawks pick: Hawks moneyline
- Time: 7 p.m. ET
- TV: Spectrum SportsNet, Peachtree Sports Network
- Analyst: Geoff Clark
Top pick: Hawks moneyline
The Atlanta Hawks has moved from an underdog to a slight home favorite, with the market backing the Hawks despite Luka Doncic returning from injury. Los Angeles is playing the second night of a back-to-back after upsetting Detroit without Doncic on Sunday.
Atlanta also has an edge in generating quality looks from beyond the arc. The Hawks average six more wide-open 3-point attempts per game than their opponents, while the Lakers average 2.7 fewer than their opponents. Atlanta's ability to win the possession battle and create open looks makes the home side an appealing moneyline play.
Clark would trade Atlanta to win outright up to 56%, with the market currently backing the Hawks around 53%.
Read Geoff Clark's full Lakers vs. Hawks prediction.
Grizzlies vs. Raptors pick: Raptors -3.5
- Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
- TV: DAZN-Memphis, Sportsnet
- Analyst: Chris Walder
Top pick: Raptors -3.5
The Memphis Grizzlies have come crashing back to earth after a 6-0 start, losing their last three games. Their offense has fallen from 118.8 points per 100 possessions during that winning streak to just 106 over the past three outings.
The Toronto Raptors have remained productive without Kawhi Leonard, posting 117 points per 100 possessions. Toronto has also rallied from double-digit deficits in each of its last two wins and ranks first in turnovers forced. Memphis has struggled to protect the ball recently, giving the Raptors a clear path to covering this short number.
Read Chris Walder's full Grizzlies vs. Raptors prediction.
Pacers vs. Mavericks pick: Over 225.5 points
- Time: 8 p.m. ET
- TV: NBA League Pass
- Analyst: Geoff Clark
Top pick: Over 225.5 points
The Indiana Pacers and Dallas Mavericks both rank among the NBA's most transition-oriented teams, setting the stage for a fast-paced matchup. Indiana ranks seventh in transition frequency, with Dallas eighth, and their first meeting this season featured a 102.6 pace.
That uptempo style should create plenty of scoring chances on both ends, making the Over an appealing option with a total set in the mid-220s.
Read Geoff Clark's full Pacers vs. Mavericks prediction.
Nuggets vs. Rockets pick: Jabari Smith Jr. Over 2.5 threes
- Time: 8:30 p.m. ET
- TV: NBA League Pass
- Analyst: Todd Cordell
Top pick: Jabari Smith Jr. Over 2.5 threes
The Houston Rockets have opened the season 7-3 and rank second in SRS, while their rebounding advantage should help generate extra possessions against the Denver Nuggets. Houston also ranks fifth in true shooting percentage.
Jabari Smith Jr. is averaging 3.5 made threes per game and has cleared this line in five of six matchups against teams outside the top 10 in suppressing 3-point attempts. Denver ranks 30th in catch-and-shoot defense and 29th against spot-ups, making this a favorable matchup for Smith to keep firing from deep.
Read Todd Cordell's full Nuggets vs. Rockets prediction.
Spurs vs. Suns pick: Spurs -8.5
- Time: 9 p.m. ET
- TV: Arizona's Family 3TV, Suns Live, DAZN SAS
- Analyst: Tom Oldfield
Top pick: Spurs -8.5
The San Antonio Spurs' defensive strength and frontcourt advantage make the Spurs an appealing road favorite against the Phoenix Suns. Victor Wembanyama presents a particularly difficult matchup for a Suns team relying on an undersized center rotation, with Oso Ighodaro and Khaman Maluach facing a significant challenge.
The absence of Mark Williams further limits Phoenix's options against San Antonio's size and interior presence. The Spurs should be able to dictate more of the matchup at both ends, creating a path to covering the spread.
Read Tom Oldfield's full Spurs vs. Suns prediction.
Pelicans vs. Warriors pick: Warriors -9.5
- Time: 10 p.m. ET
- TV: Peacock, NBC Sports
- Analyst: Dustin Saracini
Top pick: Warriors -9.5
The Golden State Warriors have rattled off seven consecutive wins after opening the season 0-3, with Stephen Curry putting together another ridiculous stretch of basketball. The two-time MVP is averaging 33.8 points on 73.3% true shooting during the winning streak and is fresh off a 41-point performance against Orlando.
Meanwhile, the New Orleans Pelicans are playing their second game in as many nights after surrendering 139 points to the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday. That's a difficult turnaround against a Warriors team that's won its first five games of this homestand. Golden State has also ranked second in offensive rating, sixth in defensive rating, and first in 3-point shooting over its last seven games, giving Saracini plenty of reason to back the home favorite.
Read Dustin Saracini's full Pelicans vs. Warriors prediction.
More NBA picks
Want to build a bigger card? These Covers roundups cover today's bets:
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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