The big news in the NBA last week was of course the broken left hand suffered by Warriors superstar and two-time NBA MVP Steph Curry. He’s going to miss at least a month, and that might already torpedo the struggling Warriors’ chances at even making the playoffs in the tough Western Conference. The Dubs are now +5000 to win an NBA title.
Here’s a look at two intriguing NBA Betting matchups early this week. Check back for Mybookie NBA odds.
Top NBA Betting Picks of the Week – November 4th Edition
Los Angeles Lakers at Chicago Bulls
- When: Tuesday, 8 PM ET
- TV: NBA TV
- Live Stream: NBA League Pass
The L.A. Lakers won the 2018-19 season series, 2-0. This will be the 155th meeting between the two teams, with the Lakers leading the all-time series 91-63.
Michael Jordan and LeBron James will always be compared as the greatest of all-time (it’s Jordan) and this is LeBron’s only visit this season to Chicago’s United Center, where there’s a giant statue of Jordan on display. It’s also a homecoming for the Lakers’ Anthony Davis, who is from Chicago. Earlier this summer, Davis didn’t rule out playing for the Bulls one day when asked.
“I mean, (this is) definitely hometown,” he said. “If the opportunity ever presents itself and when that time comes, I’d definitely consider it.” He also called Chicago “the mecca of basketball.”
Anthony Davis tallied 40 points and 20 rebounds in 31 minutes on Oct. 29 vs. Memphis, netting a franchise-record 26 free throws (26-27 FT) on the night and becoming the first player in the shot clock era (1954-55) to record a 40-20 outing in 31 minutes or less. Davis became the fourth player in NBA history with 26+ made free throws and was the first to do so since Jordan matched that total in February 1987.
Why the Lakers should be your NBA Betting pick
After giving up 112 points and allowing the Los Angeles Clippers to shoot 51.9 percent in an opening night loss, the Lakers have won five games in a row, limiting their opponents to an average of 96.8 points on 38.1 percent shooting. L.A.’s front office put a premium on defense with its offseason moves, bringing in shot-blockers like Howard and JaVale McGee and wings with All-Defensive Team credentials on their résumés in Avery Bradley and Danny Green.
Bradley (right leg bruise) didn’t return to Sunday’s game, but X-rays were negative and he’s listed as day-to-day. Bradley got hurt in the fourth quarter and his injury history is concerning, but at least tests ruled out any serious damage. He was effective on Sunday prior to his injury with 16 points on 7-of-9 shooting. He’s questionable for this one.
What about the Bulls?
In his 50th career game on Friday, Chicago’s Wendell Carter Jr. recorded his 10th career double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds. He joins Elton Brand (24 double-doubles), Tom Boerwinkle (16), Lauri Markkanen (13) and Jordan (11) as the only players in franchise history to post at least 10 double-doubles within their first 50 career contests.
Milwaukee Bucks at Los Angeles Clippers
- When: Wednesday, 10 PM ET
- TV: ESPN
- Live Stream: NBA League Pass
Absolutely could be a preview of the NBA Finals as the Bucks are favored to win the Eastern Conference for the first time and the Clippers are favored to take the West for the first time. This also is a renewal of arguably the best individual rivalry of the 2018-19 season: Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard.
Leonard of course was with Toronto last season and his Raptors faced Giannis’ Bucks in the Eastern Conference Finals. Milwaukee won the first two behind huge games from Giannis, but then Toronto switched Leonard onto the eventual NBA MVP and the Raptors won the final four games to reach their first-ever NBA Finals – which they won over Golden State. Giannis still averaged 20.4 points a night in those final four games, but the baskets were much tougher to get and he was always in traffic.
Leonard is unique in that he has the quick hands and feet to bother Antetokounmpo on the perimeter but also the strength and size (6-7, 230 pounds) to challenge Antetokounmpo at the rim.
Why the Bucs should be your NBA Betting pick
“I learned a lot from him,” Antetokounmpo said of facing Leonard in that series. “He knocked down free throws. He was calm. When double-teams came, he was swinging the ball but getting it right back. He was aggressive. He was calm but he was on a mission.”
Giannis also has said he was hoping that Leonard would stay with Toronto so he and the Bucks could get another shot at them. As of Monday, Antetokounmpo has tallied 160 points, 83 rebounds and 46 assists in the first six games of the season. No other player in NBA history has had more than 150 points, 80 rebounds and 40 assists through the first six games of a season.
The Clippers have won 10 of the past 14 in the series.
Expert NBA Betting picks
Bet both Los Angeles teams.
