VS
Atlanta Hawks (13-8) @ Detroit Pistons (16-4)
7:00 PM ET
Little Caesars Arena
DET -9.5
O/U 233.5
The Pistons are the story of the season. Detroit sits at 16-4, first in the Eastern Conference, and this isn't a fluke. Cade Cunningham is playing at an All-NBA level, averaging 28.8 points, 9.4 assists, and 6.4 rebounds per game. Jalen Duren has emerged as one of the league's best young bigs, putting up 19.5 points and 11.8 rebounds while shooting 65.4% from the floor.
The Hawks are coming off a thrilling 142-134 double overtime win over Philadelphia where Jalen Johnson exploded for 41 points and 14 rebounds. But here's the concern for Atlanta. These teams met on November 18 and the Pistons won 120-112. Cunningham had 25 and 10 assists while Johnson matched with 25. The Pistons were on a 13-game winning streak before losing to Boston recently, showing they can handle adversity.
This is a big number, but Detroit at home against a team they just beat is a tough spot for the Hawks. The Pistons' defense has been elite and their home court advantage has been enormous. Lean Pistons, but the 9.5 is steep.
VS
Cleveland Cavaliers (12-9) @ Indiana Pacers (4-16)
7:00 PM ET
Gainbridge Fieldhouse
CLE -6.5
O/U 233.5
The Cavaliers have lost three straight, including a heartbreaking 117-115 loss to Boston where Payton Pritchard went nuclear for 42 points. Cleveland fell behind by 21 in the third quarter before rallying to within one point. Donovan Mitchell continues to be elite, averaging 29.9 points on 50.3% shooting and 39.1% from three, making 4.1 threes per game which ranks second in the NBA.
Indiana started 2-16 but has finally shown signs of life, winning their last two games for the first time this season. Pascal Siakam's midrange jumper beat Chicago 103-101, and they demolished Washington 119-86 in the NBA Cup. Jay Huff has been a revelation, leading the entire league in blocks at 2.25 per game while putting up 26 points, 14 rebounds, and 8 blocks across those two wins.
The Cavs are the better team but they're struggling and Indiana is finally gaining confidence. Cleveland should win, but 6.5 points might be too many for a road team in a slump against a desperate home team.
VS
Milwaukee Bucks (9-12) @ Washington Wizards (2-16)
7:00 PM ET
Capital One Arena
MIL -10.5
O/U 236.5
Giannis Antetokounmpo returned from his adductor strain and the Bucks snapped their seven-game losing streak with a 116-99 win over Brooklyn on Saturday. The Greek Freak is averaging 30.9 points, 10.9 rebounds, and 6.6 assists on the season. Milwaukee desperately needed that win after a disastrous stretch that included a four-game road losing streak.
Washington is one of the worst teams in the league at 2-16. They did beat Atlanta 132-113 in the NBA Cup but then got demolished by Indiana 119-86. Alex Sarr is questionable with an adductor injury, Corey Kispert is out with a thumb injury, and Tre Johnson has no timetable to return from a hip flexor issue.
The Bucks have won 19 of their last 22 games against the Wizards dating back to 2019. With Giannis healthy and Milwaukee desperate to right the ship, they should handle business here. The 10.5 is big but the talent disparity is massive.
VS
Charlotte Hornets (6-14) @ Brooklyn Nets (3-16)
7:30 PM ET
Barclays Center
CHA -4.5
O/U 227.5
Charlotte has won two straight home games to snap a brutal seven-game losing streak. Miles Bridges has been phenomenal, scoring 35 points in an overtime win against Toronto and 22 against Chicago. He's averaging 22.4 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 3.6 assists while shooting 43.2% from the field. LaMelo Ball continues to facilitate at an elite level with 8.5 assists per game.
The Nets are in freefall. They've lost nine straight home games and four consecutive overall. Michael Porter Jr. is day-to-day with a back injury and Cam Thomas remains out with a hamstring issue. Rookie Egor Demin had a career-high 23 points in their loss to Philadelphia, but this team has no depth or firepower.
When these teams met on October 22, Charlotte won 136-117 with Brandon Miller dropping 25. The Nets' home struggles are severe and the Hornets are playing with newfound confidence. Charlotte should cover here.
VS
LA Clippers (5-15) @ Miami Heat (13-7)
7:30 PM ET
Kaseya Center
MIA -6.5
O/U 235.5
The Clippers are a disaster. They're 5-15, on a four-game losing streak, and have gone 2-8 on the road. They've failed to cover in their last six games. James Harden is putting up numbers averaging 27.7 points and 8.7 assists, and Ivica Zubac has been solid with 16.4 points and 11.5 rebounds, but there's no defense and no chemistry.
Miami's six-game winning streak was snapped by Detroit 138-135 on Saturday, but this team is legitimate. Norman Powell is having a career year with 24.7 points per game while shooting 44% from three. Bam Adebayo continues to anchor everything with 18.9 points and 8.5 rebounds. The Heat are 9-2 at home.
These teams played on November 3 and Miami won 120-119 with Bam dropping 25-10-4 and Powell scoring 21. The Heat are dominant at home and the Clippers have been atrocious on the road. Miami covers comfortably.
VS
Chicago Bulls (9-10) @ Orlando Magic (12-8)
7:30 PM ET
Kia Center
ORL -8.5
O/U 239.5
Chicago has lost three straight and four of their last five, falling below .500. This is their third game in four days, so fatigue is a major factor. They're 3-8 on the road and Coby White has been the primary scorer at 24.2 points per game since returning mid-November, but the depth isn't there.
Orlando has won 8 of their last 10 games since starting 4-6, and they're 7-3 at home. The amazing part is they're doing this without Paolo Banchero, who's sidelined with a groin injury. They're actually 6-2 without him. Desmond Bane has stepped up with 22.8 points per 36 minutes without Banchero, putting up 22+ in 6 of his last 10 games. Franz Wagner has been steady at 47.4% from the field.
The Bulls won the first meeting 110-98, but Orlando is a completely different team now. Chicago is gassed and the Magic are rolling at home. This is a lot of points but Orlando should cover.
VS
Dallas Mavericks (6-15) @ Denver Nuggets (14-5)
9:00 PM ET
Ball Arena
DEN -10.5
O/U 233.5
Nikola Jokic is playing on another planet. The reigning MVP is averaging 28.9 points, 12.4 rebounds, and 10.9 assists while shooting 62.8% from the field. Those are video game numbers. Denver has won 17 of their last 22 and just destroyed Phoenix 130-112 with Jamal Murray adding 24 points.
Dallas is a mess at 6-15, having lost 20 of their last 28 games. The injury list is brutal: Kyrie Irving is out. Dereck Lively II is out. Dante Exum is out. Daniel Gafford is doubtful. P.J. Washington is questionable. Rookie Cooper Flagg has been solid with 16.7 points per game, but this team has no chance at full strength, let alone depleted.
This is a slaughter waiting to happen. Denver at home against a completely gutted Mavericks team? The Nuggets should win by 20. Hammer Denver.
VS
Houston Rockets (13-4) @ Utah Jazz (6-13)
9:00 PM ET
Delta Center
HOU -12
O/U 233.5
This is a back-to-back situation with the same teams. Houston demolished Utah 129-101 yesterday. Kevin Durant had 25 points on 10-14 shooting and the Rockets' defense held Utah to under 102 points. Houston is 13-4, third in the West, scoring 121.6 points per game while allowing just 109.9, the second-best defense in the league.
Utah is struggling at 6-13, averaging 117.7 points but giving up a brutal 125.4 per game, ranking 29th defensively. Lauri Markkanen leads the team at 27.9 points per game but is questionable. The Jazz lack the depth to compete with Houston's firepower.
The Rockets just won by 28 against this same team. Even on zero rest, Houston's talent advantage is massive. Durant is playing at a high level since joining the Rockets in that blockbuster July trade, and Alperen Sengun with 22 points, 7.1 assists, and 9.4 rebounds is one of the most underrated players in the league. Houston cruises again.
VS
Phoenix Suns (12-9) @ Los Angeles Lakers (15-4)
10:00 PM ET
Crypto.com Arena
LAL -5.5
O/U 234.5
The Lakers are rolling with seven consecutive wins. They just beat New Orleans 133-121 even without LeBron James, who rested a sore left foot. Luka Doncic went off for 34 points with 20 in the first quarter alone. Austin Reaves added 33 points and DeAndre Ayton contributed 22. This team has found something special with their new identity.
Phoenix has lost three straight after winning 8 of 9. They got demolished by Denver 130-112 with Dillon Brooks scoring 27 and Devin Booker adding 24. The Suns have dropped 3 of their last 4 and the chemistry just hasn't clicked. Without a true point guard, their half-court offense stagnates against good defenses.
This is the first meeting between these teams this season and it's a fascinating matchup. The Lakers' momentum versus the Suns' desperation. Booker historically plays well against LA, but this Lakers team is different. With home court and the way Doncic and Reaves are playing, the Lakers should cover but it'll be a tight, entertaining game.