Monday's Top NBA Picks: Nets a Surprise Underdog

Sportsbook Review

Last Updated: November 8, 2021 11:38 AM EST • 3 min 23 sec read. Twitter link Google News Link

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - NOVEMBER 05: Kevin Durant #7 of the Brooklyn Nets celebrates a second half basket with James Harden #13 while playing the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on November 05, 2021 in Detroit, Michigan. Brooklyn won the game 96-90. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Gregory Shamus/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Gregory Shamus / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

Check out our top NBA picks for the best against the spread and Over/Under bets on Monday's eight-game schedule.

Junior Browne: Brooklyn Nets +1.5 (-110 via DraftKings); Miami Heat/Denver Nuggets Over 204.5 points (-105 via DraftKings)Kenny Ducey: New York Knicks -3 (-105 via DraftKings); Charlotte Hornets/Los Angeles Lakers Over 227.5 (-115 via DraftKings)Matthew Jordan: New York Knicks -2 (-115 via DraftKings); Charlotte Hornets/Los Angeles Lakers Under 227.5 points (-105 via DraftKings)

Top Expert Spread Picks

Nets +1.5 (-110) vs. Chicago Bulls

The books are giving points with the better basketball team so I'm taking it. While Chicago has the rest advantage, the Bulls do have some issues. Much has been made about the injury to Patrick Williams and with good reason; he's a young player with a ton of upside. Without Williams, the Bulls don't have anyone to match up with Kevin Durant, which would have been the second-year pro's responsibility.

There's also the Bulls' three-point shooting problem. They are 29th in the league in made threes in large part because they are last in attempts. With all of the shooters that Brooklyn has, this could be a major issue for the Bulls tonight. Add to that the fact that they are one of the worst rebounding teams in the league, making the Nets pick a lot more appealing. Finally, Brooklyn is fourth in the league in defensive rating right now. That fact alone has me taking the Nets in this game considering that has historically been the one Achilles heel for this team. - Browne

New York Knicks -3 (-105) vs. Philadelphia 76ers

The New York Knicks were already undervalued in this game due to some bad luck at the hands of Ricky Rubio on Sunday, and their fortunes should turn around in Philly on the second night of back-to-back contests. New York's frontcourt defense has been one of its biggest weaknesses in the early going, but the team will get a nice breather without Joel Embiid in the lineup for Philly.

Additionally, the Sixers will be missing Matisse Thybulle, Tobias Harris, and possibly Danny Green on the wings, making it difficult to contain the red-hot RJ Barrett. - Ducey

Knicks -2 (-115) vs. Philadelphia 76ers

I actually picked a player prop from this game this morning and that was Philly’s Seth Curry Over 15.5 points, as he'll likely be Philly’s No. 2 offensive option with so many other guys out injured or on the COVID list (or just being Ben Simmons). Now Curry will be the No. 1 option because Joel Embiid tested positive for COVID this morning, so the Sixers are basically a G-League team Monday night around Curry and Tyrese Maxey. The Knicks are playing the second of a back-to-back - they are 7-1 ATS in their past eight in such games - but if they can't win this game by at least three points, something is very wrong. New York beat a full-strength Sixers team (minus Simmons) by 13 on Oct. 26. - Jordan

Top Expert Over/Under Picks

Heat/Nuggets Over 204.5 points (-105)

This total is really low for an NBA game between two contenders. They are both in the top five in the league in terms of defensive efficiency, but this game has unique circumstances. The Nuggets currently play at the slowest pace in the league, which is another reason this total is so low. With Michael Porter Jr. out with a back injury, this team is now devoid of a true second-scoring option. If they try to play half-court basketball against this Heat defense, they'll get blown out of their own building.

On the flip side, the way the Heat offense looks lately, there's no reason to believe that they won't score over 100 points in this contest. In fact, I believe that both of these teams will crack the century mark, which should result in this total comfortably hitting the Over. - Browne

Charlotte Hornets/Los Angeles Lakers Over 227.5 (-115)

The Hornets rank seventh in the league in offensive efficiency, and they now head into what will be a fast-paced game against the Los Angeles Lakers, who rank first in that category. However, the Lakers have allowed 106.3 points per 100 possessions, which is a far cry from their great defense last season. This club is nothing without LeBron James.

Meanwhile, the Hornets struggle to defend down low, and the Lakers' offense should be a little bit better in that area since Los Angeles relies on Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook's cutting for scoring. Considering how bad the Hornets' defense is this campaign and how great they are offensively, it's easy to see this game going Over because there will be so many possessions. - Ducey

Hornets/Lakers Under 227.5 points (-105)

While LeBron James is out for Los Angeles, Anthony Davis is expected to play through a finger injury. That makes a massive difference on the defensive end for the Lakers. As it is, L.A. has held its past two opponents to an average of 106 points per game. Charlotte could struggle from the perimeter playing the second of a back-to-back and was held to … you guessed it, 106 points … in Sunday’s loss in the same Staples Center building versus the Clippers. The Under is 4-1 in the Lakers' past five games and 12-5 in the Hornets' past 17 as road underdogs. - Jordan

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