NBA Odds, Best Bets and Expert Picks

Philadelphia 76ers at Detroit Pistons Best Bet:

Pistons +8.5 | (114) at FanDuel

The Pistons are in that stage of development right now called “learning how to win.” Detroit had the Bucks Wednesday night, leading by 10 midway through the fourth quarter, before faltering in the final two minutes. Detroit has lost six in a row, and has multiple players out with an injury or illness, including guard Jalen Ivey.

Now here come the big bad Sixers, who have won six straight. They got rid of James Harden (finally) but have rolled on just fine without him. The ultimate addition by subtraction.

Philly is 7-0 against the spread, but I like the Pistons to cover. They are playing hard for new coach Monty Williams and will find a way to keep it close.

Brooklyn Nets at Boston Celtics Best Bet:

Celtics -10.5 | (-110) at DraftKings

These two just played five days ago with the Celtics winning by 10 behind 32 points from Jayson Tatum. The line on this game moved a couple of points when it was revealed that Nets star Cam Thomas will be out two weeks with an ankle sprain. Thomas got hurt in a win Wednesday over the Clippers.

Boston has lost two in a row, but has too many weapons for the Nets to handle. Look for Kristap Porzingis to have a good game. He had some good years in New York with the Knicks.

Brooklyn is 4-4 straight up but 7-0-1 against the spread. The Celtics have won nine of the last 10 meetings.

LA Lakers at Phoenix Suns Best Bet:

Lakers +3.5 | (-110) at BetMGM

Los Angeles is 0-5 on the road so far this season and are another team that’s been hit hard by injuries. That’s what happens though when you’re an old basketball team and – news flash – the Lakers are old.

Phoenix got their first look at Bradley Beal Wednesday night as he played for the first time since coming over in an off-season trade, but he’s on limited minutes. Suns guard Devin Booker will miss this one with a calf injury, but the Suns still have Kevin Durant.

Anthony Davis is expected back for the Lakers tonight. The Lakers are only 2-6 against the spread, but this is the type of game that LeBron James raises his game. He will want to play well against Durant, and can carry the Lakers to a win.

By:Darren Cooper

Born and raised in Louisiana, Darren Cooper has a fond appreciation for bayous, Mardi Gras beads and the sports betting industry. Darren has worked for multiple print and online publications since 1998, primarily as a sports columnist in the Northeast. He’s covered a Super Bowl (it was a blowout), the World Series (same) and the NBA Draft (man, those guys are tall). For the last few years he’s dug deep into the sports gambling industry as it exploded across America, learning how the legal sausage is made and how while all the sportsbooks look the same, they all have different identities and styles. He’s learned to always bet within his means -- and take the under. When not in front of his computer creating, Darren spends time with his three boys. He runs, reads and is always looking for the next big thing to write about.

All Reviews by Darren Cooper