Tuesday has a sparse NBA schedule with only three games being played tonight, but our Action Network NBA Staff has you covered with best bets for each of the nationally televised games tonight: Golden State Warriors vs. Brooklyn Nets (7:30 p.m. ET on TNT) and Philadelphia 76ers vs. Utah Jazz (10 p.m. ET on TNT).
Raheem Palmer, Kenny Ducey and Brandon Anderson have picks on the Warriors vs. Nets while Jacob McKenna is eyeing a prop bet for the late night Jazz vs. 76ers matchup. Check out their best bets below.
NBA Odds & Picks
Golden State Warriors vs. Brooklyn Nets
Raheem Palmer: My model shows some value to the under with both teams ranking in the top 10 in Defensive Rating. The Golden State Warriors lead the league allowing up 100.4 points per 100 possessions, per Cleaning the Glass and the Brooklyn Nets are ninth giving up 105 points per 100.
In a matchup between former teammates and early MVP candidates, Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant, you’d expect some fireworks, but I’m not sure we’re going to get them in this game. While the Nets have scored 121 points per game over their past three matchups, that came against the Orlando Magic, New Orleans Pelicans and Oklahoma City Thunder. The Warriors rank first in half court defense pt/play (85.9) should be able to slow the Nets down.
The Nets have thrived in half court defense as well as they rank fifth in half court defense pts/play (87.5). Neither of these teams have a great transition offense with the Warriors ranking 26th and the Nets ranking 25th and both teams are solid in defending such plays.
The Warriors are 4-9 to the under and the Nets are 4-9-1 to the under, so it’s clear the market is overvaluing this offenses while undervaluing these defenses. Overall, I think this total is too high so we’ll play the under 222.5 and I would play this down to 220.
Golden State Warriors vs. Brooklyn Nets
Kenny Ducey: This slate is a hard one to bet with so many good defenses and low totals, so I’m going to turn to the player props.
The Nets are without Joe Harris, who is dealing with a left ankle sprain, which should open up some shots from the outside, considering Harris has taken approximately nine shots (six 3s) per game. In addition, we learned this week Kevin Durant has been playing through shoulder pain.
With that, I expect James Harden to be a massive part of this offensive attack for the Nets. He is currently sitting at 38.5 points, rebounds and assists — a number he’s cleared in three of the past five games. Harden’s usage should be solid in this one, and this number doesn't really scare me off of taking him to have a big game.
We’ve seen improvements with regard to his scoring and conditioning over the past week or two. He should be more than up to the task of carrying Brooklyn and taking some shots from outside the arc.
Golden State Warriors vs. Brooklyn Nets
Brandon Anderson: Oh baby.
On opening night, we got a great chance to see the Warriors against the Los Angeles Lakers in what was an early game to watch with an eye toward the late season push. The Warriors controlled much of the way and got the win.
On Friday, we got another early statement game, this time Golden State was facing the Chicago Bulls, and they dispatched them with ease. At some point we may just need to admit it's a Warriors World again, and we're just living in it.
And don't think that the Warriors haven't noticed. Golden State is relishing being back in the spotlight after a couple years almost completely off the map. And when the Warriors play with a chip on their shoulder, focused, and locked in defensively, they've been unbeatable this season.
Gee, you think a game against Kevin Durant might have their attention?
It's not just the early Durant vs. Stephen Curry MVP conversation, or the talk about KD as the best player in the world. Don't forget the last time Durant was in a room with Draymond Green, it was for that explosive offseason interview.
Green will be locked in and have this defense flying around the court, and I'm not convinced the Nets will be up for the battle this early in the year. Do KD and James Harden really want to go to war on a random Tuesday night game? I'll have to see it to believe it.
Are we sure the Nets are better? They have their two superstars, but so do the Warriors, and Golden State's supporting cast and bench have been, um, light years better.
Sorry, but I'm not making the Warriors underdogs against anyone until proven otherwise. At +135 on the moneyline, we're getting an implied 42.4% chance of winning. That's basically 3-in-7 odds, which would also imply the Nets winning a best of seven series between these two teams.
I'd take the Warriors against the Nets in a series right now, and I'll take them tonight. Brooklyn's defense needs to show it can show up against an offense like this, and I'm still not sold on this version of the offense against an elite D like Golden State's.
I'll play the Warriors to +120, but really don't mind my chances at any plus number.
Philadelphia 76ers vs. UtahJazz
Jacob McKenna: Philadelphia has fallen victim to COVID-19, injuries, and a drama-filled offseason that has led them to an 8-6 start. However, there is one good thing that has come out of the entire situation, and that has been the play of second year point guard Tyrese Maxey.
Maxey was essentially forced into a starting role to begin the season. Ben Simmons did not make an appearance until the end of training camp and his status to return is still up in the air. That has opened up the door for Maxey to show what he can bring to the table.
So far, Maxey has surpassed most expectations, averaging 17.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game in 14 games he has played this season. All those numbers are major increases from his rookie season, and that is likely because he has seen a huge bump in minutes as he is now averaging over 36 minutes per game.
His shooting splits have been just as impressive as his other numbers indicate, as Maxey has slowly approached the 50-40-90 conversation by shooting 51.9% from the floor, 41.3% from three on 3.3 attempts per game, and 87.5% from the charity stripe. He has been excellent in every aspect of the game, and believe it or not he has exceeded those averages over his last three games.
Maxey is averaging 29.3 points, shooting 58.6% from the floor and 50% from behind the arc, while simultaneously averaging 40 minutes per game in Philadelphia’s last three games. He is clearly a major piece of this offense, and that will likely continue to be the case with Joel Embiid, Danny Green, and Matisse Thybulle expected to miss more time.
I would play the over on his total up to 18 points.
