NBA Picks Today: 3 NBA Predictions and Best Bets for Thursday, Nov. 12

Today’s Best NBA Picks at a Glance

• Wizards +10.5 (-110)
• Mavericks-Timberwolves Under 226.5 (-115)
• Hornets-Suns Over 214.5 (-108)

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Thursday's four-game NBA slate offers some interesting betting opportunities, including a pair of totals and a double-digit underdog. We'll target Washington to keep things competitive against Detroit, a potentially low-scoring battle between Dallas and Minnesota, and an over in Phoenix.

Which NBA odds from FanDuel Sportsbook look like the best bets today?

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What are the top NBA player props for today?

NBA Predictions for Today: Picks and Best Bets

Wizards +10.5 (-110)

Pistons at Wizards — 7:00 p.m. ET

Washington Wizards are an imperfect underdog, carrying a -6.0 net rating and scoring just 109.8 points per 100 possessions through Wednesday. Meanwhile, the Detroit Pistons have been the much better team, with a +8.3 net rating and a 107.1 defensive rating. That gap explains Detroit’s favored status, but a 10.5-point cushion gives Washington a path to cover without needing to keep it super close.

The Wizards also have a capable interior scorer in Anthony Davis, who netted 44 points in Monday’s 122-111 loss to this same Pistons team. That was an 11-point defeat, narrowly outside this number, but it demonstrated Washington’s ability to generate offense against this the Pistons’ elite D.

Detroit will reportedly be without Jalen Duren, reducing its usual frontcourt depth. Washington is on the second night of a back-to-back, so the rest disadvantage is a real concern. But all in all, I like the Wiz to cover 10.5.

Mavericks-Timberwolves Under 226.5 (-115)

Mavericks at Timberwolves — 8:00 p.m. ET

The Minnesota Timberwolves enter with an elite defensive profile: a 106.9 defensive rating, third-best net rating at +11.1, and a pace of 99.1 possessions per 48 minutes. The Dallas Mavericks are playing at a similar pace (98.4), so this matchup is not set up to become a track meet. The teams have combined for 14 unders in 22 games this season according to their FanDuel over/under records, though that split alone is not the rationale for the bet.

The stronger case is that Minnesota’s defense can make Dallas work deep into possessions while the Timberwolves will be missing a key source of scoring in Anthony Edwards.

I think the table is set for a hard-fought game that will be a little lower scoring than this line projects.

Hornets-Suns Over 214.5 (-108)

Hornets at Suns — 9:00 p.m. ET

The Phoenix Suns have been allowing 120.6 points per 100 possessions, one of the NBA’s weaker defensive marks, and the Charlotte Hornets have posted a 116.8 defensive rating themselves. Those defensive vulnerabilities create a plausible path to 215 combined points even though Charlotte’s 94.5 pace has been the third-slowest in the league.

Phoenix is producing 115.2 points per 100 possessions, and Devin Booker remains its primary shot creator. Charlotte’s offense is a major concern at 104.5 points per 100 possessions, which makes this a less comfortable over than the defensive numbers alone might suggest. Still, a 214.5 line leaves room for both teams to score at modest raw totals, particularly if the Suns can exploit Charlotte’s defense and force the Hornets to play from behind, potentially getting Charlotte to play faster than it usually does.

NBA Betting -- Frequently Asked Questions

What does the point spread mean in NBA betting?

The point spread is a margin set by oddsmakers to level the playing field between two unevenly matched teams. For example, if the Golden State Warriors are listed at -7.5, they need to win by 8 or more points for a bet on them to cash. Conversely, a bet on their opponent at +7.5 wins if that team loses by 7 or fewer points — or wins outright.

What is the moneyline?

The moneyline is a straight-up bet on which team wins the game, with no spread involved. Favorites carry a negative number (e.g., -200, meaning you must risk $200 to win $100), while underdogs carry a positive number (e.g., +170, meaning a $100 bet returns $170 profit).

How does the over/under (game total) work?

Oddsmakers set a projected combined score for the game, and bettors wager on whether the actual total will go over or under that number. For instance, if the total is set at 224.5 points, an over bet wins if both teams combine for 225 or more points. NBA totals can swing based on pace of play, rest situations, and injuries, so it's worth tracking those factors before placing a total bet.

What are NBA player props?

Player props are bets tied to an individual player's statistical performance rather than the game's outcome. Common prop bet markets include points scored, assists, rebounds, three-pointers made, and combinations of those stats.

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The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.