Daily Picks 12/03: Defense The Difference
In Monday’s NBA games, Giannis Antetokounmpo finished with 29 points, 15 rebounds and three assists for the Milwaukee Bucks in a 132-88 victory over the New York Knicks. Khris Middleton added 16 points, seven rebounds and three assists.
Also, Trae Young had 24 points and seven assists for the Atlanta Hawks in a 104-79 win over the Golden State Warriors to snap a 10-game losing streak.
Here are Today’s NBA Picks:
BET OF THE DAY:
Dallas Mavericks @ New Orleans Pelicans
The New Orleans Pelicans will host the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday night.
The Mavericks have an 8-4 record against the spread at New Orleans after a win since 2011-12. (Stat courtesy of Statschecker)
These teams squared off back on Oct. 26 in New Orleans.
Luka Doncic had 25 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists and Kristaps Porzingis contributed 24 points, four boards, three assists and five blocks for the Mavericks in a 123-116 win over the Pelicans.
Brandon Ingram led New Orleans with 25 points, eight rebounds and three assists and Lonzo Ball added 15 points, eight rebounds, five assists and two steals in the loss.
The Mavericks are one of the best teams in the Western Conference and they proved that they belong after they put an end to the Los Angeles Lakers’ 10-game winning streak on Sunday.
The Mavericks are young and hungry and I believe it continues in this one.
Take Dallas minus the 3.5 points on the road here.
2u – Mavericks (-3.5) @ -105
Los Angeles Lakers @ Denver Nuggets
The Lakers will travel to the Pepsi Center to take on the Denver Nuggets in a battle between two of the best teams in the Western Conference.
Since the 2012-13 season, the Lakers have a 3-9 record against the spread at Denver.
Both teams will look to rebound after a loss in their last game.
Gary Harris had 25 points, three rebounds, three steals and two blocks for the Nuggets in a 100-97 loss to the Sacramento Kings.
Jamal Murray added 15 points, four boards and six assists for Denver.
The Lakers, on the other hand, had 27 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks from Anthony Davis and LeBron James contributed 25 points, nine rebounds, eight assists and four steals in a 114-100 loss to the Mavericks.
The Lakers are 2.5 games ahead of the Nuggets in the race for the best record in the Western Conference, but they have played three more games.
Los Angeles was on a 10-game winning streak before falling at home to the Mavericks on Sunday.
Denver had won six in a row and 10 of 11 before losing to Sacramento on Saturday.
Defense will prove to be the difference in this one.
The Nuggets have the No. 1 ranked defense in the entire NBA, allowing an average of 101.8 points per game.
Look for the Nuggets to come away with the home win over LeBron and the Lakers.
Take Denver minus the 2 points here.
1u – Nuggets (-2) @ -105
Portland Trail Blazers @ Los Angeles Clippers
The Portland Trail Blazers will travel to the Staples Center to face the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday night.
These two teams played against each other back on Nov. 8, and it was the Clippers who came away with the victory.
Kawhi Leonard finished with 27 points, 13 rebounds, four assists and two blocks and Ivica Zubac had 15 points, 13 rebounds and two blocks for the Clippers in a 107-101 win.
The Blazers were led by Damian Lillard, who finished with 22 points, six rebounds and six assists, and CJ McCollum’s 22 points, seven boards and three assists.
The Blazers are quietly on a three-game winning streak, behind the Western Conference player of the week in Carmelo Anthony, who was signed during the season.
Look for the Blazers to give a game in Los Angeles on Tuesday.
Roll with Portland plus the 9 points here.
1u – Trail Blazers (+9) @ -105
By Dan Canova