With nine NBA matchups scheduled on Monday, many opportunities are available to get in on the action with DraftKings Sportsbook. Here are my top betting picks for today’s NBA slate.
Here’s a look at the full schedule for today’s games:
Magic at Hornets, 7 p.m. EST
Raptors at Pistons, 7 p.m. EST
Pelicans at Pacers, 7 p.m. EST
Mavericks at Hawks, 7:30 p.m. EST
Clippers at Celtics, 7:30 p.m. EST
Trail Blazers at Grizzlies, 8 p.m. EST
Knicks at Nuggets, 9 p.m. EST
Nets at Warriors, 10 p.m. EST
Thunder at Kings, 10 p.m. EST
Mavericks +2.5 (-108)
The Hawks will look for a better outcome when they face the Mavericks after last season’s 148-143 thriller in Atlanta. Luka Doncic scored 73 points in that game, fueling the Mavs’ victory. However, Doncic remains sidelined tonight due to a right wrist sprain, significantly changing how this matchup looks.
Despite Doncic’s absence, Dallas remains competitive, with Kyrie Irving stepping up. Irving scored 27 points in the Mavs’ recent overtime loss to the Heat. Dallas has gone 9-5 in games Irving plays without Doncic historically. However, there is something to remember: the Mavericks were playing a well-rested Miami squad with five days off. Playing on the second night of a back-to-back and a stretch of three games in four nights, Dallas will face a Hawks team that hasn’t played since Friday.
Atlanta enters this matchup after a 136-122 defeat to the Bulls, where their defense allowed 57% shooting from the field. With the Hawks’ defense ranking near the bottom of the league, Dallas appears poised to cover the +3 spread despite not being the more rested team.
Knicks +4 (-112)
After a four-game win streak, the Knicks look to rebound from losing to the Jazz. In their 121-106 loss, poor shooting and leaky defense hurt them, but New York remains confident heading into Denver. Despite missing Aaron Gordon and Nikola Jokic’s brief absence for the birth of his child, the Nuggets are a high-scoring team.
However, the Knicks will need to tighten up defensively to compete. Jokic’s MVP-level performance will challenge Karl-Anthony Towns, who must rise to the occasion. With New York needing to improve defensively and Denver on the second night of a back-to-back, the Knicks have a good chance to cover the +4 spread.
Kings +4.5 (-112)
The Kings look to snap a three-game losing streak when they host the Thunder. The Thunder, playing without Chet Holmgren, have benefited from Isaiah Hartenstein’s return, who impressed with 13 points, 14 rebounds, and four blocks in a recent win over Portland.
Sacramento, led by De’Aaron Fox averaging 39.4 points in his last five games, must improve its defense to get back on track. With Hartenstein strengthening the Thunder’s defense and Sacramento struggling, Oklahoma City is favored, but the Kings have a strong chance to cover the +4.5 spread.
Warriors -13 (-105)
The Brooklyn Nets are coming off a strong bench performance in a 108-103 win over the Sacramento Kings, but they face a tough challenge against the Warriors. The Warriors have dominated at home, winning five straight, but suffered a loss to the Spurs after a back-to-back set.
Despite this, Golden State is a deep team. Brooklyn has won two of its last three, but the Warriors’ balanced attack and recent home success give them the edge to cover the -12.5 spread.
P.J. Washington Over 24.5 Points + Rebounds
The Mavericks have emphasized improving on the boards lately, and after returning to the lineup from a recent injury, P.J. Washington has taken this message to heart. In three of his four games since returning to action, he’s recorded double-figure rebounds.
In addition to dominating on the glass, Washington has scored at a high volume, especially in games Doncic has missed. Dallas needs an extra boost from the supporting cast around Kyrie Irving in these situations, which has involved getting post touches and running actions to hit Washington on the move so he can aggressively attack the paint.
In his previous four games, Washington has averaged 18.5 points and 11.5 rebounds, which includes a quiet performance in a complete blowout against the Pelicans in which he played only 25 minutes and took nine shots. In three games without Doncic, he’s put up 23.3 points and 13.3 rebounds per game.
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All odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.
I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is grant-afseth) and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and do not constitute a representation that any particular strategy will guarantee success. All customers should use their own skill and judgment in building lineups. I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.
