NBA Betting Picks for Monday 11/20/23: Will the Kings Continue Their Win Streak?
The 82-game NBA regular season offers us a wide variety of betting options, including point spreads, moneylines, and totals. The Association features 1,230 regular season games, which can make sifting through the odds an overwhelming task.
However, various advanced statistics can help narrow the choices. numberFire's NBA power rankings and daily projections paired with advanced stats from the NBA can help give the inside track to winning big.
While utilizing some of the mentioned tools, which NBA odds from FanDuel Sportsbook look like the best bets today?
Please note lines are subject to change throughout the day after this article is published.
NBA Best Bets
Boston Celtics at Charlotte Hornets
Under 234.0 (-110)
The Boston Celtics are looking to extend their league-best six-game winning streak against the Charlotte Hornets, who have lost four consecutive games.
Charlotte has injury concerns, as well; Terry Rozier, who ranks second on the team with 22.0 points per game (PPG), will not face his former team as he will miss his eighth consecutive game with a groin injury. The 3-9 Hornets cannot afford to be without key players, especially Rozier, who ranks second on the team with a 25.9% usage rate.
Without much surprise, Boston is a heavy 8.5-point favorite for tonight's clash. However, the Celtics have underperformed in their last two games, failing to cover both point spreads while being favored by 9.0 or more points in each.
Instead of taking Boston to cover the spread, I like under 234.0 combined points. The under is 6-0-1 in the last seven Celtics games, and it is 2-1 in Charlotte's previous three contests.
The Hornets rank last in defensive rating while Boston has the fourth-best mark in offensive rating; this certainly causes some concern for the under. But the Celtics lead the league in defensive rating, and Charlotte has averaged only 104.8 PPG over their previous four games.
Boston's pace, which is the fifth-slowest tempo, could also help the under. They also rank sixth in opponent effective field goal percentage (eFG%) while the Hornets are 22nd in eFG%.
New York Knicks at Minnesota Timberwolves
Over 214.5 (-108)
One of the better matchups of the day is the New York Knicks against the Minnesota Timberwolves. New York has won three consecutive games and six of their last seven, and Minnesota is 7-1 in their previous eight games and holds the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference.
We should expect a low-scoring game with both teams ranking within the top five of defensive rating. However, both offenses have heated up, and with the total at 214.5, the over looks like a solid bet.
The Timberwolves have reached at least 115 points in five of their last six games. The Knicks are averaging 118.5 PPG over their last six games. So what will give? Will the offenses stay hot, or will the exceptional defenses control the contest?
Minnesota's defense has been excellent, but the unit has the tendency to allow a decent amount of three-point attempts (15th-most). New York averages the 10th-most three-point attempts per game, and they have shot a scorching 43.7% from deep over the last six contests. Jalen Brunson is coming into this one fresh off back-to-back 32-point games while converting 10 of 18 three-point shots (55.6%) in that stretch. The Knicks could expose the Wolves' susceptible perimeter defense.
On the other side, New York's defense may not be as good as their rating suggests. The unit is 20th in opponent eFG% and 21st in opponent two-point percentage. The T-Wolves feature an efficient offense, ranking eighth in eFG%.
Karl-Anthony Towns has been on a tear, totaling 29.0 PPG with a 59.3% field goal percentage (FG%) over his previous three contests. Towns could have his way with any potential matchups against Mitchell Robinson, who has a 110.6 defensive rating.
Ultimately, both offenses could stay hot thanks to favorable matchups.
Sacramento Kings at New Orleans Pelicans
Kings Moneyline (-112)
The Sacramento Kings are tied with the Celtics for the longest active winning streak at six games. They now hold the No. 4 seed in the West, and De'Aaron Fox just returned from injury on Nov. 13.
As if red-hot Kings were not dangerous enough, Fox has provided elite play since returning, totaling 32.3 PPG over his last four games. With his current averages (31.9 PPG; 50.6 FG%), Fox could rise in the MVP discussion if he continues at this level of play. According to FanDuel's NBA odds, Fox remains a long shot to win the MVP award (+5000).
Sacramento's opponent for tonight is the New Orleans Pelicans. They have disappointed thus far at 6-7 while going 2-6 over the last eight games. The Pelicans have not been exceptional on either side of the court, ranking 21st in offensive rating and 19th in defensive rating.
Meanwhile, the Kings have the 11th-best mark in offensive rating and average 117.0 PPG (9th). This has been at an efficient clip, too, as they are seventh in eFG%. The list of potential advantages of Sacramento's offense goes on and on.
First off, New Orleans gives up the fourth-most three-point attempts per game. The Kings feature a three-point barrage with 42.3 attempts per game (third). Several three-point specialists, such as Malik Monk (41.7%) and Kevin Huerter (38.2%), could be poised for monster games.
Domantas Sabonis -- who averages 20.8 PPG, 12.9 rebounds per game (RPG), and 7.2 assists per game (APG) -- could also dominate the paint. The Pelicans are 23rd in opponent points in the paint per game and 28th in opponent two-point percentage. Sabonis shoots 65.0% on two-point looks, and New Orleans' Jonas Valanciunas has a poor 119.5 defensive rating.
Sacramento could roll to another win thanks to plenty of advantages on offense.
Looking for the latest NBA odds? Head over to FanDuel Sportsbook and check out all of the NBA betting options.
Sign up for FanDuel Sportsbook and FanDuel Daily Fantasy today!
The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.