The NBA is back in full swing with a loaded 10-game slate this Sunday. So, as you would come to expect, our staff of basketball betting experts came through with 5 NBA picks for today's slate of contests, including predictions for Heat vs. Pacers, Hornets vs. Cavaliers, Rockets vs. Bulls, and more.
Continue below for our NBA best bets for Sunday, November 17.
NBA Best Bets, Picks for Sunday, Nov. 17
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 5 p.m. | |
  | 6 p.m. | |
  | 7 p.m. | |
  | 7 p.m. | |
  | 9 p.m. | |
Specific betting recommendations come from the sportsbook offering preferred odds as of writing. Always shop for the best price using our NBA Odds page, which automatically surfaces the best lines for every game. | ||
Heat vs. Pacers
By Joe Dellera
The Heat take on the Pacers again on Sunday and await the status of whether Jimmy Butler (questionable) will play or not.
While Bam certainly sees an uptick without Butler, this is a strong matchup for him either way. He has averaged 21.3 points per game against Indiana throughout his career, and he is able to attack them on the interior where they allow opportunities from midrange and at the rim.
Considering Bam makes a living taking those shots, this is a spot to back him. I’ll grab Bam to exceed 17.5 points today, which is a line I think is fair with Butler, but would definitely be too low without him.
Pick: Bam Adebayo Over 17.5 Points (-105)
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Hornets vs. Cavaliers
By Matt Moore
The books have been behind on adequately capping the Cavaliers offense but the big factor here is the three-point variance.
The Hornets are third in the league in 3-point attempts per 100 possessions; they absolutely bomb from deep.
If the Hornets get hot, they'll hang in this game and it'll go over. If they don't, the Cavaliers will still likely put up 120+ on a weak defense.
I project this total at 235 with the Hornets' defense fourth-worst in the NBA, schedule-adjusted.
Pick: Over 224 (-110)
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Rockets vs. Bulls
The Rockets are a team I am looking to back moving forward until the power ratings adjust. They are currently projected to be a middling play-in team, when I anticipate them to compete for a top-6 seed and possibly home court advantage.
They have a strong estimated net rating and +/- per 100 possessions, two weighted statistics that help project moving forward.
That means beating the Bulls, who just pulled off a lucky win thanks to the late game officiating. The line at -4.5 reflects current power ratings, which should see a shift soon. This is playable to -5.
Pick: Rockets -4.5 (-110)
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Mavericks vs. Thunder
By Joe Dellera
Luka and the Mavs play their second game in as many days this Sunday. However, given the blowout last night when Wemby sat for the Spurs, it was not a full minutes rotation for the Mavs players.
OKC has had moderate success defending Luka given their glut of wing defenders, and it has translated to Luka seeing an uptick in his assists. Here, in a matchup without Chet defending the rim, I think this is even more likely to be the case.
Luka has averaged 7.8 assists per game this season, but looking at these matchups against OKC over the past few seasons, he has exceeded 7.8 dimes in 85% of them while averaging 9.9 per game.
Additionally, in his last 10 games on zero days rest, he is averaging 11.4 assists per game. I’ll take the base line here at 7.5 and also sprinkle a quarter-unit on 10+ assists at +225.
Pick: Luka Doncic Over 7.5 Assists (-130)
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Jazz vs. Clippers
Utah has the ultimate get-right opponent for teams around the league, as it currently has the worst record in the West at 3-9. Thus, the Clippers will have a great chance to snap their three-game losing streak when the Jazz visits Los Angeles on Sunday night.
One player who looks poised to have a get-right performance is Clippers forward Derrick Jones Jr. Jones is coming off a disastrous game against the Rockets, scoring just two points and shooting 0-for-7 from the floor.
Since there’s no place to go but up after an 0-for-7 performance, I’d expect a decent effort from Jones against the Jazz. As a result, his points + assists prop is very attainable at 9.5.
If we look at the two occasions this season when he finished with four or fewer points + assists, he bounced back to go over 9.5 in his next game. He’s exceeded this number in 10-of-13 (77%) games this season, with a median of 12 and an average of 11.5.
Both numbers certainly bode well for Jones going over his points + assists prop tonight.
Pick: Derrick Jones Jr. Over 9.5 Points + Assists (-130)
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