The second week of the new NBA season is behind us and the things are pretty interesting at the moment. Milwaukee and Toronto are the only two undefeated teams, and the defending champion Golden State Warriors are off to an excellent 6-1 start, while Houston (1-4), Oklahoma City (1-4), and Washington (1-5) are all big disappointments. LeBron James and his Los Angeles Lakers (2-4) are still warming up, while the Celtics defense is still the best in the league.
The upcoming week brings plenty of action, even on Tuesday and Thursday night, so let’s take a closer look at our top five games and make some NBA betting picks.
Atlanta Hawks at Philadelphia 76ers – Monday, October 29th
The Atlanta Hawks are a young team that is considered a huge underdog, but they’ve still won two of their first five games. However, the matchup with the Sixers will be the toughest challenge for the Hawks so far, and it comes on the road after a painful 97-85 defeat against the Chicago Bulls.
Related: NBA Betting Guide
Philadelphia has won three out of six thus far. The Sixers have won their last two home games by two points or less, so the clash against the Hawks seems like a nice opportunity for a more comfortable victory.
My Pick: Philadelphia ATS
Los Angeles Clippers at Oklahoma City Thunder – Tuesday, October 30th
The Oklahoma City Thunder put an end to a four-game losing streak with a 117-110 victory over the Phoenix Suns, and they will try to continue with good results this week. These two teams have already met each other this season, and the Clippers overcame the Thunder 108-92 at Staples Center, but the visitors were missing Russell Westbrook.
In his three appearances this year, Westbrook has averaged 22.7 points, 12.0 rebounds, and 7.7 assists on 46.4 percent shooting from the field. Oklahoma City is 7-3 straight up and ATS in the previous 10 meetings with the Clippers, and the Thunder is 5-1 straight up and ATS in the previous six head-to-hear duels in Oklahoma City.
My Pick: Oklahoma City ATS
Dallas Mavericks at Los Angeles Lakers – Wednesday, October 31st
It looks like LeBron James and company still need time to gel and start playing like a title contender, but they should be winning at home against mediocre teams including the Dallas Mavericks, who are off a 2-4 start on the season.
The Los Angeles Lakers have an awful head-to-head record against the Mavericks in the last few years. The Lakers are 3-15 straight up and 6-12 ATS in their last 18 duels with the Mavs, and are 2-7 straight up and 4-5 ATS in the previous nine meetings in Los Angeles. However, the Lakers won three out of four of last season’s meetings with Dallas, covering the spread three times in the process. I’m backing them to do it again.
My Pick: Los Angeles Lakers ATS
Memphis Grizzlies at Utah Jazz – Friday, November 2nd
This is quite an intriguing matchup, and not just because these two teams have already met once this season — when the Memphis Grizzlies outplayed the Utah Jazz on the road 92-84.
The Grizzlies’ defensive rating is fourth-best in the league, as they are allowing 103.2 points per 100 possessions, while the Jazz are sixth in the league with 104.9 points per 100 possessions. Utah’s pace is the 15th-fastest in the league with 101.2 possessions per 48 minutes, but the Grizzlies’ pace is the third-slowest in the NBA with 97.8 possessions. Although this one looks like a perfect chance for an against-the-streak wager, I have to go with the under and I think the Jazz will get a payback.
My Pick: Utah Jazz & Under
Houston Rockets at Chicago Bulls – Saturday, November 3rd
The Rockets are off to a dreadful 1-4 start, and prior to this matchup with the Chicago Bulls, they will meet Portland at home on Tuesday and Brooklyn on Friday. James Harden will probably miss the game versus the Trail Blazers, but he’s expected to return later this week, and the Rockets are desperate to see him in action.
The Bulls are also struggling with injured players, as Lauri Markkanen is out until the mid-November, and Kris Dunn is sidelined for at least a month, while Bobby Portis is out indefinitely. Chicago will have to cope with the current situation and play without some important players, so the Rockets will have to take advantage and win on the road, especially if Harden suits up. Houston is 7-2 straight up and 6-3 ATS in its last nine back-to-back games and 3-0 straight up and ATS in its last three meetings with the Bulls.
My Pick: Houston ATS
