Top NBA Betting Picks of the Week – November 12th Edition

The NBA trade deadline isn’t until February, but that doesn’t mean a big deal can’t happen before then as we saw with Jimmy Butler shipped to Philadelphia over the weekend. The Charlotte Hornets’ best player is All-Star point guard Kemba Walker, but he can hit free agency this summer. Will the Hornets deal him? Reportedly, teams inquiring about Walker have been told by owner Michael Jordan that Hornets are committed to contending for a playoff berth with Walker as the face of the franchise. That could all change, though, if the team starts losing. Here’s a look at two interesting matchups in the NBA this week. Check back for NBA odds.

Top NBA Betting Picks of the Week – November 12th Edition

AD had himself a GAME! 🔥#doitBIG pic.twitter.com/ewdY0xFVS4

— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) 11 de noviembre de 2018

New Orleans Pelicans at Minnesota Timberwolves

• When: Wednesday, 8 PM ET (ESPN)

How close was Butler becoming a New Orleans Pelican? Apparently, the Wolves and Pels had serious talks but the Pelicans are limited on tradeable assets. They are desperate to find star power to keep Anthony Davis for the long run, but New Orleans wouldn’t include point guard Jrue Holiday in its offer, nor multiple draft picks.

Instead, Minnesota sent him to the 76ers along with Justin Patton in exchange for Robert Covington, Dario Saric, Jerryd Bayless, and a 2022 second-round pick. Patton underwent surgery on Sept. 18 to repair the fifth metatarsal in his right foot and will be sidelined indefinitely. Butler has played in 10 games this season although he’s rested three games. He’s averaging 21.3 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 2.4 steals per game.

There are injury questions on both teams. Andrew Wiggins is dealing with a right quad injury and missed a game over the weekend. It’s the same quad issue that forced Wiggins to sit out three straight games towards the end of October. Point guard Jeff Teague is dealing with a left knee injury. Tom Thibodeau recently said that Teague was “real close” to getting back to the court, however.

Elfrid Payton (ankle) and Nikola Mirotic (ankle) are both banged up for New Orleans. Payton has missed the past seven games, but he’s reportedly close. Mirotic sat out Saturday’s game against the Suns, which resulted in Julius Randle getting the start. Randle dominated the Suns on Saturday with 22 points, 15 boards, three assists, two blocks, and one 3-pointer in 38 minutes.

The Wolves won all four meetings vs. New Orleans a year ago, allowing 101.3 ppg. They’d permitted 112.5 ppg in dropping 10 of the prior 12. In four games against Minnesota last season, Anthony Davis averaged 23.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.0 blocks. Holiday averaged 15.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 1.3 steals. In one game against Minnesota last season, his first as a Pelican, Mirotić recorded 18 points, 12 rebounds, four steals and one block. In four games against Minnesota last season as a member of the Lakers, Randle averaged 18.5 points on .565 shooting from the floor, 9.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists.

In four games against New Orleans last season, Wiggins averaged 20.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.0 blocks. Karl-Anthony Towns averaged 14.0 points, 11.8 rebounds and 1.8 assists. Gorgui Dieng averaged 12.8 points on .600 shooting from the field, 5.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.5 steals. Alvin Gentry is 20-18 (.526) all-time against Minnesota. Tom Thibodeau is 13-6 (.684) all-time against New Orleans. 

Golden State Warriors at Houston Rockets

• When: Thursday, 8 PM ET (TNT)

 A rematch of last season’s West Finals won of course by the Warriors in seven games, but Golden State could be short-handed this time around. That’s because the Warriors announced Stephen Curry (groin) has “a mild to moderate” groin strain. The teams added it would “continue to evaluate the results of the MRI and the injury over the next few days.” Draymond Green is dealing with an ankle injury.

Meanwhile, the Rockets are talking about releasing Carmelo Anthony. For the second straight night, Anthony was not with the team Sunday because of an illness, according to the Rockets. But there’s more to that as Anthony and the Rockets are off to a rough start. Houston is 4-7 entering Sunday night and Anthony, used primarily as a reserve after starting every game of his career in his first 15 seasons, is averaging a career-low 13.4 points on 40.5 percent shooting from the floor.

The Rockets’ net rating is 8.8 points per 100 possessions better when Anthony sits than when he plays, according to NBA.com statistics. The Rockets signed Anthony, 34, to a one-year deal for the veteran’s minimum of $2.4 million after he received a buyout from the Atlanta Hawks.

Houston is being outscored by an average of 6.2 points this season. The Rockets led the league in scoring differential (+8.5 ppg) last season. Houston is 3-0 when leading after three-quarters of play this season and 1-7 when trailing. The Rockets were 56-3 when leading after three-quarters of play last season and 9-14 when tied or trailing.

Chris Paul ranks second in the NBA with 2.56 steals per game this season while James Harden is fourth with 2.38 spg. The last time teammates averaged at least 2.50 spg in a single season was Michael Jordan (2.77 spg) and Scottie Pippen (2.57 spg) for Chicago in 1989-90.

Expert NBA Betting Picks

Go Timberwolves and if Curry sits, Houston. If he plays, take the Dubs.