The Boston Celtics followed up their season-opening loss with a seven-game winning streak, and they lead the Eastern Conference with that 7-1 mark. However, they lost Gordon Hayward to a broken hand in their game against the Spurs on Saturday, so they will have to make some adjustments going forward. They are a half-game ahead of Toronto — and watch out for those Cavaliers, as they are off to a 4-5 start and sit in seventh place in the conference. In the Western Conference, the Lakers are tied with Denver for the lead with identical 7-2 marks, as the Nuggets have won seven straight. There are five teams tied at 6-3, with the only teams struggling mightily in New Orleans, Memphis and Golden State, who is now at the bottom of the standings with a 2-8 record, losers of three straight. We have two primo NBA betting picks from the Association — so give them a look as you plan your week’s wagers.
Top NBA Betting Picks of the Week – November 11th Edition
NBA Power Rankings Week 4: Sixers fall, Suns rise and L.A. at the top https://t.co/Jc2pqQtO9D pic.twitter.com/kselKSVBAz
— Eyewitness News (@ABC7NY) November 11, 2019
Monday, November 11
Toronto at L.A. Clippers (10:30 pm ET, NBA TV)
Despite losing Kawhi Leonard to the Clippers in free agency, the Toronto Raptors show no signs of slowing down. They have won three straight, including Sacramento at home and then New Orleans and the Lakers on the road. In that win over the Lakers on Sunday, Toronto won by nine points despite not having point guard Kyle Lowry (fractured thumb) or Serge Ibaka (ankle sprain), rallying in the fourth. Pascal Siakam put up 24 points and 11 boards, and Fred VanVleet delivered 23 points and 10 assists. Siakam had back-to-back dunks finishing fast breaks in the waning seconds after the Lakers clanked four straight three-balls.
Now the Raptors hang around to play the Staples Center’s other team, the Clippers, on Monday night. The Clippers have won three of four, beating San Antonio and Utah before losing to Milwaukee — but then beating Portland on Thursday, giving them three full days off ahead of their game with the Raptors. In that win over Portland, Lou Wiliams made the game-winning jumper with 58 seconds left and then added an insurance three-ball, scoring 26 points on the night. The defense shut down Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum, holding both of them scoreless in the fourth period. If the Clippers can keep playing stingy defense, that throwback approach should carry them a long way this season.
NBA Betting Prediction: Los Angeles 105, Toronto 99
Tuesday, November 12
Cleveland at Philadelphia (7:00 pm ET, NBA TV)
The Cleveland Cavaliers had lost three in a row before delivering an impressive pair of road wins, beating Washington by 13 on Friday and then routing the New York Knicks by 21 on Sunday. In that win over the Knicks, point guard Collin Sexton served notice that he is ready to lead the next generation of Cleveland scorers, putting up 31 points. Jordan Clarkson and Kevin Love put up 17 points apiece, giving the Cavaliers their first two-game winning streak of the season. The Cavaliers also had terrific ball security, with just a dozen turnovers, while they forced the Knicks into 21 miscuess.
Now Cleveland heads to Philadelphia to take on a 76ers team that had lost three in a row until Sunday, when they beat the Charlotte Hornets, 114-106. Ben Simmons (shoulder) remains out, but Joel Embiid recovered nicely from a road trip that had seen him struggle, putting up 18 points and nine boards. He had earned a two-game suspension after fighting Karl-Anthony Towns on October 30, and in the prior game against Denver, he had not shown much energy or motivation in the lane, as the Nuggets had their way inside. Now that the Sixers are back home and Embiid has a solid game under his belt, Philadelphia should be able to hold serve against a Cleveland team that is showing some growth but is not among the East’s elite yet.
NBA Betting Prediction: Philadelphia 112, Cleveland 103.
