Free NBA Betting Picks - Today's Best Bets, Expert Predictions, Odds (11/14/23)

Josh Wiesel's top NBA betting picks and best bets for today's NBA games on 11/14/23. His free picks against the spread, teasers, parlays, and NBA player props.

We are back with another edition of in-season tournament NBA picks. It was a small four-game slate last night, but tonight we have 20 teams in action and 10 games to choose from.

I've been on a bit of a slide recently, but all it takes is one good night to get back on track. Here's to hoping tonight is that night. Season record: 10-9.

In this article, I'll be providing my favorite picks against the spread, game totals, parlays, and teasers for games that tip off at 7:00 PM EST on Tuesday, November 14. Follow me on Twitter/X, @Jwiesel13!

NBA Betting Picks: Spreads & ML

Atlanta Hawks (-4) @ Detroit Pistons (233 total)

The Hawks are coming off a bad home loss to the shorthanded Miami Heat on Saturday night. I like them in this bounce-back spot against a Pistons team that has lost eight straight.

Trae Young had 27 points Saturday night, and it was his second straight game of 25+ points. In Mexico City on Thursday night, the Hawks point guard exploded for 41. This is notable because before Thursday night, he had not scored over 24 points in a game this season. Trae is a player who can run hot and he's attempted at least 11 free throws in three straight games. According to Fantasy Pros, the Pistons have a hard time stopping point guards, making this an excellent game for Trae Young to control.

Detroit is also giving up the most free throws per game by a nice margin, according to NBA.com. The Hawks as a team have been a top-five unit in free throws attempted per game. They are also in the top five for free throw percentage, taking advantage of their freebies.

During their eight-game losing streak, Detroit is giving up 119 points per game. The Pistons are also in the bottom 10 in defensive rating. Atlanta hasn't been great on defense themselves, but there are glaring differences offensively between these two teams.

In the eight games Detroit has lost, they are in the bottom five for offensive rating. The Hawks are in the top six. Atlanta is a top-five scoring team, and Detroit is a bottom-five scoring team. The Hawks are top-10 in threes made per game, and the Pistons are bottom-10. You get what I'm saying. Atlanta also rebounds the ball well and is one of the best teams on the fast break.

I'll back Atlanta laying the four points here.

The pick: Atlanta Hawks -4 (-110 FanDuel)

Dallas Mavericks (-4.5) @ New Orleans Pelicans (240 total)

The Dallas Mavericks are off to a hot start this season at 7-2. On the other side, the Pelicans are a disappointing 4-6.

These teams played on Sunday in New Orleans with Dallas picking up a 136-124 road win. They once again play in New Orleans and I'm banking on it going differently for the Pelicans.

Zion Williamson had some interesting quotes yesterday when asked about the Pelicans offense.

"I'm trying my best to buy in right now."

This is obviously the quote everyone will run with and spin it in whichever way it fits their narrative. Continuing on with that theme, I'm choosing to believe Zion will be motivated in this rematch. He only scored 18 points on 11 shots on Sunday, I'd expect both those totals to be higher.

New Orleans also hit 47/92 (51%) field goals and shot 17/36 (47%) from three against Dallas. They struggled at the foul line, only hitting 13/22 (59%) free throws. Scoring 124 points, it was only the second time all season the Pelicans cracked 120+ points. The Mavericks have not been too stout on defense this season, so I could see New Orleans having offensive success again in this game.

Kyrie Irving had 35 points on 7/10 from three last game. Kyrie is a great player but averaging 23 points on the season. If I get burned by him scoring 35+ again, so be it. I'm opting on the side of him scoring closer to his average tonight. Luka Doncic is a problem, but he will be for every team.

The Pelicans have to tighten up on defense and find ways to score inside on offense. Dallas is in the bottom five for most allowed opponent points in the paint. Teams are also shooting 68.2 percent on defended field goals of less than six feet against the Mavericks. This team is vulnerable inside, and Zion, Brandon Ingram, and Jonas Valanciunas have to expose it.

Herb Jones is questionable after missing the last three games. Him playing would help strengthen the Pelicans' defense and be a big body to guard Luka and Kyrie.

Despite the five-game losing streak, I like New Orleans with the points at home tonight. I also wouldn't be shocked if they won (+142 ML DK).

The Pick: New Orleans Pelicans +4.5 (-115 BetMGM)

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NBA Betting Picks: ML and Spreads

 Orlando Magic (+2) @ Brooklyn Nets (219.5 total)

Two Eastern Conference foes square off in this one.

For the Nets, Cam Thomas is still out, and Ben Simmons is questionable.

However, Brooklyn did get a big boost with the return of center Nic Claxton.

Claxton had 10 points, 13 rebounds, four blocks, and was a +8 in 27 minutes in Sunday's win over the Washington Wizards. Having the 6'11" defensive beast back on the court will only help the Nets defensively.

Defense is what I will be targeting in this game with the under.

Brooklyn is about league average in scoring at 113.2 points per game. Orlando is in the bottom 20 at 110.1.

The Nets do shoot the three well, placing in the top five for threes made per game and the top 10 for percentage. Orlando has been good at defending the three this season. They are in the top 10 for the fewest opponent makes and attempts from deep. Brooklyn gives up a lot of three-point attempts, but the Magic don't shoot well. They are in the bottom five for three-point attempts, makes, and percentages.

One area Orlando is very good at is getting to the line. They get to the line around 28 times per game, but getting there and making it are two different stories. Orlando is only shooting 74.6 percent from the line, which places them in the bottom 20. Brooklyn is only attempting 18 free throws per game and only hitting 77.2 percent of them.

Another stat I loved was that the Nets are in the top 10 for the fewest opponent fouls drawn. That would also put them in the top 10 for the fewest free throws allowed at 20.7 per game.

Orlando leads the league in points off turnovers, and Brooklyn is in the top 10 for the fewest turnovers per game.

Both of these teams are outside of the top 15 in pace.

Magic starting point guard Markelle Fultz is out for this game. He's one of six Magic players averaging double-digit (11.4) points.

I love this under.

The Pick: Under 219.5 (-108 DraftKings)

NBA Betting Picks: Teaser

Favorite Teaser: Buying 4 points: Pelicans +8 - Clippers +9.5 (+120 FD)

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