Daily Picks 12/01: Lakers Red Hot

Here’s a look at today’s NBA picks:

BET OF THE DAY

Dallas Mavericks @ Los Angeles Lakers (-6.5), 4:00 PM:

• The Mavericks have a 26 ATS record at Staples Center since 2017-18.
• Both Dallas and Los Angeles have covered the spread over 50 per cent of the time this season. The Lakers are 118 ATS, the Mavericks are 10-8. Stat courtesy of Statschecker.

The Los Angeles Lakers (17-2) tied a franchise-best start to the season after picking up a 10th straight win over the Washington Wizards 125-103.

James and Anthony Davis both contributed double-doubles. Davis had a team-high 26 points with 13 rebounds and three blocks, while James added 23 points with 11 assists and two steals.

The Dallas Mavericks (12-6) got back on track with a 120-113 win over the Phoenix Suns.

Doncic had himself a day posting a career-high 42 points with a near triple-double adding 11 assists and nine rebounds.

When these teams met a month ago there were some serious fireworks. Los Angeles overcame a 10-point half-time deficit to win 119-110 in overtime.

James and Doncic both went off with triple-doubles - James had 39 points, 16 assists and 12 rebounds while Doncic scored 31 points, 15 assists and 12 rebounds.

My expectation is another shootout between those two studs, but my edge is going to the Lakers who are red hot on both ends of the court.

2u - Los Angeles Lakers (-6.5) @ -110

Miami Heat @ Brooklyn Nets (+3), 3:30 PM:

• The Nets have a 2-5 ATS record against the Heat at Barclays Center since 2015-16.
• Miami have a 124-1 ATS record this season which ranks as the best in the NBA. Stat courtesy of Statschecker.

The Brooklyn Nets (10-9) have won five of the last six games, defeating the Boston Celtics 112-107 on Friday night.

Without Kyrie Irving, Spencer Dinwiddie picked up the slack in a big way knocking down 6-of-8 three pointers for a game-high 32 points with 11 assists, five rebounds, two steals and two blocks.

No Irving, no problem - Brooklyn has won six of the eight games without Irving in the line-up.

The Miami Heat (13-5) got back on track and remained unbeaten at home (8-0) handling the Golden State Warriors 122-105.

Goran Dragic came off the bench and scored a team-high 20 points with five rebounds and four assists. Rookie Tyler Herro also checked in as relief and contributed five made threes for 19 points and five rebounds.

Miami has been significantly better as a home team while it seems the Nets have begun to find their groove despite being without their best player. Take Brooklyn as the home underdog with the points.

1u - Brooklyn Nets (+3) @ -110

Boston Celtics (-8) @ New York Knicks, 3:00 PM

• The Celtics have a 37-27 ATS record as an away team, coming off one day of rest since 2017-18.
• Both Boston and New York have reached the UNDER total in over 60 per cent of games this season. Stat courtesy of Statschecker.

The New York Knicks (4-15) blew a 12-point half-time lead and dropped a fifth straight game after falling to the Philadelphia 76ers 101-95.

Julius Randle led New York in the three major statistics, scoring 22 points with 10 rebounds and four assists.

The Boston Celtics (13-5) snapped a two-game winning streak after falling to the Brooklyn Nets 112-107.

Jayson Tatum was a workhorse on both ends of the floor totaling four steals and scoring a team-high 26 points with nine rebounds.

These teams have met twice already this season with the result remaining the same - the Celtics won. Most recently, New York gave Boston a run for their money on the road losing 104-102 courtesy of a Tatum last-second shot. However, the first meeting at Madison Square Garden saw the Celtics win by 23 points.

My expectation is Sunday will reflect more of the 20-point blowout. Take the Celtics (-8) to cover easily.

1u - Boston Celtics (-8) @ -110