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Free NBA Betting Picks - Today's Best Bets, Expert Predictions, Odds (11/17/23)

Trae Young - Atlanta Hawks

Josh Wiesel's top NBA betting picks and best bets for today's NBA games on 11/17/23. His free picks against the spread, teasers, parlays, and NBA player props.

We are back with another edition of in-season tournament NBA picks. There are 11 games to choose from and, hopefully, some winners to find.

I went 2-1 on my picks Tuesday night, and the teaser at +120 hit as a bonus. It was a much-needed bounce back after two recent poor showings. I haven't been great with totals recently, so I'm just sticking to spreads and money-line picks in this one. I will include a ML parlay at the end. There are no games I have an interest in teasing tonight. Single-game pick record: 12-10.

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 Friday, November 17th. Follow me on Twitter/X, @Jwiesel13!

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NBA Betting Picks: Spreads & ML

Philadelphia 76ers (-1) @ Atlanta Hawks (235.5 total)

Both of these teams come into tonight's game off of losses. The Hawks lost a nail-biter at home to the Knicks. Philly lost at home to the Celtics and has lost two straight.

Joel Embiid was a game-time decision Wednesday night before lacing them up against the Celtics. He is once again questionable tonight with a hip injury. I would not be shocked if he sat, considering the pace the Hawks play at.

Even if he plays, I still like the Hawks at home tonight. They have a better field goal and three-point percentage at home compared to the road. Atlanta is averaging 120 points in five home games this season on 50.4 percent field goal shooting. Trae Young has also been playing well recently, averaging 26.3 points and 11.8 assists in his last five games. Philadelphia has been a little worse than average defending point guards this season, according to FantasyPros. If Trae is slowed down from a scoring standpoint, he will facilitate, as always, finding other options. A player to watch is Bogdan Bogdanovic, who scored 28 against the Knicks and has scored 15+ in five straight.

The Hawks have been one of the best defenses against point guards this season. They could make life tough for explosive Sixers guard Tyrese Maxey. If Maxey is off, it will throw the whole team off.

Their offensive and defensive ratings are not far off from each other. Embiid is murky, Atlanta can score, and it's an in-season tournament night.

I like the Hawks here.

The pick: Atlanta Hawks +1 (-115 DraftKings)

 

Orlando Magic (+1) @ Chicago Bulls (216.5 total)

Every part of me wants to take this under, but I'll refrain.

These two teams played Wednesday night in Chicago. Paolo Banchero hit a wild shot with 1.4 seconds left to win 96-94.

I like the Bulls in this rematch. After being tied at 21 after the first quarter, Orlando used a big 29-12 second quarter to take a 50-33 lead going into halftime. Chicago battled all the way back in the final minutes but fell short.

Despite Orlando winning, I like the hungry momentum the Bulls should bring into this game. DeMar DeRozan missed Wednesday's game for personal reasons and is questionable for tonight. The obvious hope is that he plays. DeMar is averaging 21.2 points and leading the team with 4.5 assists this season. He's averaging 9.9 potential assists per game, with Zach LaVine in second at 7.5. Needless to say, DeRozan is their offensive conductor, and it's favorable that he's back tonight.

The Magic also had 30 free throw attempts Wednesday night. They are second in the NBA in free throw attempts per game (27.5), so they clearly can get to the line. Chicago has been giving up around 23 free throw attempts per game, and I could see the Magic's total being lower in this game. These teams shot nearly identically from the field; foul shots made all the difference. Orlando was 24/30, while Chicago was 19/22.

A few other things I'd look out for: Magic center Goga Bitadze had 15 points and 11 rebounds. Chicago is not super stingy against centers, but I'm banking on this performance to not repeat itself. For the Bulls, Coby White only had two points on 2/10 shooting and had scored double digits in his last seven games. If it is another low-scoring rock fight, White scoring 12 in this game instead of two on Wednesday could make a huge difference.

Chicago also uncharacteristically turned the ball over 19 times last game, leading to 17 Magic points off of turnovers. The Bulls are first in the NBA with the lowest turnovers per game.

With DeRozan hopefully back, evening out numbers at the line and holding onto the ball will be key for the Bulls to win this rematch.

Even if DeRozan is out, I'll still take the Bulls here. You will very likely be able to get them at plus money if he's out.

The pick: Chicago Bulls ML (-115 DraftKings)

 

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NBA Betting Picks: ML and Spreads

Denver Nuggets (-5.5) @ New Orleans Pelicans (224.5 total)

I absolutely love this New Orleans Pelicans team at semi-full strength. CJ McCollum, Trey Murphy III, and Jose Alvarado are all unfortunately still out. If this roster can get fully healthy, watch out.

The Pelicans crushed the Mavericks in New Orleans on Tuesday night, winning outright without needing 4.5 points.

They started a lineup of:

Dyson Daniels (6'7), Herb Jones (6'7), Brandon Ingram (6'8), Zion Williamson (6'6), and Jonas Valanciunas (6'11). Off the bench, they have impressive rookie Jordan Hawkins (6'5), Matt Ryan (6'5), Naji Marshall (6'6), Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (6'9), and Cody Zeller (6'11) if needed. They just have size and length all over this roster.

This will be important against a Nuggets team that plays Nikola Jokic (6'11), Michael Porter Jr. (6'10), Aaron Gordon (6'8), Christian Braun (6'6), and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (6'5). What makes Denver so hard to play is that they are big and physically imposing. I believe New Orleans can counter that.

CJ McCollum was leading the team in assists at 5.7 per game before getting hurt. Brandon Ingram is not too shabby as a floor general, averaging 5.6 assists in the five games since CJ's injury. Ingram has also averaged a team-high 24.4 points in the last five games. Herb Jones also returned to the court Tuesday night after missing three games. In his return, he scored 19 points, along with four rebounds, four assists, five steals, and two blocks.

These teams played on November 6th in Denver, with the Nuggets winning 134-116. The Pelicans were up 61-41 with 4:43 left in the second quarter. They got outscored 75-45 in the second half, and Nikola Jokic put up a 35-point triple-double. New Orleans still showed the ability to build a lead against Denver; they just couldn't hold onto it.

The Pels scored 130 Tuesday night and had a 102.8 defensive rating. For the season, they are just outside the top 20 with a 113.4 defensive rating. As I said at the top, I really liked what I saw from this Pelicans team on Tuesday night and the size they can provide.

Nikola Jokic is never fun to go against, but I'll take the points with the home team tonight.

The pick: Pelicans +5.5 (-110 Caesars)

NBA Betting Picks: Teaser

Favorite ML parlay: Hawks + Clippers (+175 DK)



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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Nolan Arenado

Ready for Second Half
Eugenio Suárez

Eugenio Suarez Back in Action to Begin Second Half
Yordan Alvarez

Resumes Swinging -- Return Imminent?
Jake Burger

to Miss an Additional 2-3 Weeks
TreVeyon Henderson

Signs Rookie Contract
Christian Watson

Goes on PUP List
Austin Riley

Hopes to be Activated Next Week
Ketel Marte

Lands on Restricted List After Burglary
Ricky Pearsall

Heads to PUP List
Brandon Aiyuk

Placed on PUP List
Luther Burden III

Signs Rookie Deal
Washington Nationals

Eli Willits Expected to Sign Contract on Saturday
Grayson Rodriguez

Being Shut Down Again - Will We See Him Again This Year?
Ezequiel Tovar

Activated and Back in Lineup on Friday
Max Fried

"Hopeful" to Pitch Next Week - Looks Like He'll Avoid IL Stint
Steven Kwan

Receives Injection in Wrist, Considered Day-to-Day
CJ Abrams

Back to Start Second Half
Alec Bohm

Back From Rib Injury on Friday
Trey Hendrickson

Holdout to Spill into Regular Season?
Jalen McMillan

Bucs Offensive Coordinator Not Forgetting About Jalen McMillan
Levi Onwuzurike

to Miss at Least Four Games
Nick Emmanwori

Seahawks, Nick Emmanwori Reach Agreement on Rookie Deal
Max Holloway

Set For Main Event
Brandon Lowe

Back From 10-Day Injured List
Dustin Poirier

Set For His Final UFC Fight
Roman Kopylov

Set For Co-Main Event
Paulo Costa

Returns At UFC 318
Luis L. Ortiz

to Remain on Leave for Another Month - Will he Pitch Again?
Daniel Rodriguez

Looks For Third Win In A Row
Kevin Holland

Set For His Fourth Fight This Year
Dan Ige

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
MMA

Patricio Freire Set For His Second UFC Fight
Daniel Zellhuber

Set To Open Up UFC 318 Main Card
Michael Johnson

Looks For Third Consecutive Win
Elijah Arroyo

Signs Rookie Deal
Jaydon Blue

Described as "Borderline Lazy"
T.J. Sanders

Bills Sign T.J. Sanders to Rookie Deal
Christian Wilkins

Raiders Put Christian Wilkins on PUP List
Jabari Small

Lions Add Jabari Small to Backfield
Quinshon Judkins

Remains Unsigned, Won't Report With Rest of Rookies
Mason Taylor

Agrees to Rookie Contract with Jets
Hendon Hooker

Leading Lions QB2 Battle Entering Training Camp
Ozzy Trapilo

Agrees to Rookie Contract with Bears
Tate Ratledge

Agrees to Rookie Contract with Lions
Jack Bech

Signs Rookie Contract with Raiders
Yegor Chinakhov

Requests Trade
Dakota Joshua

Maple Leafs Acquire Dakota Joshua
Lukas Dostal

Signs Five-Year Extension with Ducks
Shemar Stewart

Not Practicing With College Team
Eugenio Suárez

Eugenio Suarez Expected Back Friday
Damian Lillard

Returning to Portland
Paul Skenes

Pirates Could Preserve Paul Skenes in Second Half
Brooks Barnhizer

Grabs 19 Points, Nine Boards in Summer League Win
Jeremiah Fears

Scores 22 Points in Summer League Loss to Thunder
Isaiah Collier

Collects 17 Points In Summer League Win
Caleb Houstan

Joins Hawks
AJ Johnson

Erupts for 25 Points in Summer League Loss
Washington Wizards

Leaky Black Logs Double-Double in Loss to Jazz
Connor Norby

Undergoes Surgery, Expected to Miss 6-8 Weeks
Trey Alexander

Tallies 25 Points in Losing Effort
Johni Broome

Records Second Consecutive Double-Double
Jahmir Young

Has Historic Summer League Outing
Rob Dillingham

Plays Big Role in Wednesday's Win
Tyrese Proctor

Erupts for 35 Points Against Kings
Cody Williams

Leads Jazz to Victory Against Wizards
LeBron James

Mavs Not Interested in "Gutting its Roster" For LeBron James
Josh Hart

Undergoes a Procedure on Right Finger
Jake Burger

Goes on 10-Day Injured List With Quad Strain
Sal Frelick

Dealing With Grade 1 Hamstring Strain, TBD for Start of Second Half
Chris Sale

Plays Catch
Los Angeles Clippers

Bradley Beal Heading to Los Angeles to Join Clippers After Contract Buyout
Rayan Rupert

Scores 24 Points in Summer League Win
Derik Queen

Collects Third Consecutive Double-Double in Summer League Loss
GG Jackson II

Records 13 Points in Summer League Action on Tuesday
Johni Broome

Logs Double-Double Against Wizards
DaRon Holmes II

Records Double-Double in Summer League Loss to Raptors
Harris English

Takes Stellar 2025 Performance to The Open Championship
Aldrich Potgieter

Seeks Better Result in Northern Ireland
Cameron Young

Likely to Hang Around at The Open Championship
Cameron Smith

Just Trying to Make the Cut at Royal Portrush
Jordan Spieth

Is Jordan Spieth Still a Natural for Links Style Golf?
Patrick Reed

a Viable Option at The Open Championship
PGA

Sungjae Im Wants to Rebound from Last Experience at Royal Portrush
Xander Schauffele

Looks to Defend His Claret Jug at Royal Portrush
Tony Finau

Trying to Turn Tide at Royal Portrush
Daniel Brown

Seeks a Rebound at The Open Championship
Rory McIlroy

Will be the Most Watched Player This Week at Royal Portrush
Daniel Berger

Trending Poorly as The Open Championship Looms
Robert MacIntyre

Hoping to Bounce Back at Open Championship
Shane Lowry

Hopes to Repeat at Royal Portrush
Brian Harman

Hopes to Rekindle Some Magic at the 153rd Open
UTA

Michael Carcone Returns to Utah on One-Year Contract
Bowen Byram

Signs Two-Year Deal with Sabres
Morgan Barron

Jets Re-Sign Morgan Barron for Two Years
PGA

Chris Gotterup Punches Ticket to Royal Portrush With Win at Scottish Open
Bryson DeChambeau

Hopes to Reverse Links Golf Struggle at the 153rd Open
Keegan Bradley

Needs to Find The Weekend at Royal Portrush for Ryder Cup Hopes
Justin Thomas

Finishes Tied For 22nd at Genesis Scottish Open
Scottie Scheffler

Finishes Tied For Eighth at Genesis Scottish Open
Jon Rahm

Finishes in Second at LIV Andalucia
Tallison Teixeira

Suffers First-Round TKO
Derrick Lewis

Scores First-Round TKO
Stephen Thompson

Loses Controversial Split Decision
Gabriel Bonfim

Wins Controversial Split Decision
Calvin Kattar

Gets Outclassed At UFC Nashville
Steve Garcia

Extends His Win Streak
Nate Landwehr

Gets Knocked Out
Morgan Charrière

Morgan Charriere Scores Third-Round Knockout
Austen Lane

Suffers Submission Loss
Vitor Petrino

Scores First-Round Submission In Heavyweight Debut
Tuco Tokkos

Earns His First UFC Win
Chase Elliott

Charges to A Finish of Third At Sonoma
Chase Briscoe

Finishes Second With his First Career Road-Course Top-Five at Sonoma
Christopher Bell

Rollercoaster Day Ends With Top-5 Finish at Sonoma
William Byron

Maintains the Regular-Season Points Lead
Kyle Busch

Earns A Hard-Fought Top-10 Finish At Sonoma
Alex Ovechkin

Not Thinking About Retirement
PIT

Penguins Acquire Arturs Silovs
NHL

Nikolai Kovalenko Returns to Russia
Tyler Reddick

Evades Near Upset to Remain Alive in In-Season Challenge
Ty Gibbs

One of Three Tylers to Make In-Season Challenge Semifinals
Kyle Larson

Curiously Mediocre at Sonoma Before Late-Race Crash
NASCAR

John H. Nemechek Edges Out Teammate to Make In-Season Challenge Semifinal
Alex Bowman

Ty Dillon Bumps Alex Bowman to Advance to In-Season Challenge Semifinal
Shane Van Gisbergen

Can Anyone Beat Shane van Gisbergen at Sonoma?
Tyler Reddick

Better at Sonoma Than Record Shows
Chase Elliott

a Prime DFS Option at Sonoma
Michael McDowell

Struggling a Bit at Sonoma
NASCAR

Christopher Bell Has Never Finished Better Than Ninth at Sonoma
Ryan Blaney

Has Top-10 Upside at Sonoma
NASCAR

Sunday at Sonoma Will Likely Be a Long Race for Bubba Wallace
Kyle Larson

Is A Likely Top-Five Contender for Sonoma
Ryan Preece

Points Position Could Affect Race at Sonoma
Todd Gilliland

Struggling to Find Speed at Sonoma
Ty Gibbs

May be an Underrated Favorite to Compete for the Win at Sonoma
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