After a thrilling run to the Western Conference Finals last year, the Dallas Mavericks are struggling to get things going this year, posting just a 9-10 record so far, after their most recent road trip went 0-3. The offense needs another creator in addition to Luka Doncic, so the team will sign free-agent guard Kemba Walker. Knee issues have sent Walker’s career into chaos; the four-time All-Star most recently played with Detroit, but the Pistons released him in mid-October. He played 37 games for the New York Knicks last year, averaging 11.6 points and 3.5 assists per game. Walker is the team’s attempt to replace the creativity that Jalen Brunson brought last season; the Mavericks failed to get Brunson to sign an extension in the off-season, but he opted to go east. Let’s take a look at the top NBA betting choices facing you as Week 7 opens.
NBA News: Week 7 Betting Rundown
→ Monday, November 28
Phoenix Suns (-1.5) at Sacramento Kings (O/U 232.5)
(10:00 pm ET)
The Suns bring a 13-6 record to Sacramento to face the 10-8 Kings for the first time in the 2022-23 season; Phoenix comes in after edging the Utah Jazz, 113-112, despite only making 27.3% of their three-point shots. The Sacramento Kings fell to Boston, 122-104, in their last game, struggling on both offense and defense.
The Suns come in leading the Western Conference standings by a game over the Denver Nuggets. They are 11th in the NBA in points scored per game (114.6) and overall shooting percentage (47.2%). Devin Booker is the top scorer on the team, with 27.1 points per game and an overall shooting percentage of 46.1. The team is eighth in the league in three-point shooting percentage (37.4), and their free-throw percentage (83%) is fourth-best. On defense, the Suns give up 107.7 points per game, good for fifth overall. Perimeter defense is a weakness, as opponents shoot 37.6% from beyond the arc – fourth-worst in the league. Chris Paul (heel), Cam Johnson (knee) and Jae Crowder (personal) will all miss Monday’s game.
Sacramento is just 2 ½ games back of the Suns, but given the tight nature of the West, they sit in sixth place in the conference. However, they have won seven of ten after a slow start to the season. They score 119.1 points per game and make 49.1% of their shots, good for second and third in the NBA, respectively. From three-point land, they make 36.6% of their shots, 14th best in the league. De’Aaron Fox is the team’s top scorer with 25.1 points per game, shooting 53% from the floor. The Kings only make 79.2% of their free throws, 15th best. Defense is an issue for the Kings, as they permit 117.1 points per game, 26th most in the league. Their opponents shoot 49.5% from the floor, which ranks them 29th overall. They also allow 38.6% shooting from three-point land, second-worst overall. With those defensive problems, the Kings will have some real problems. Final Score Prediction: Phoenix 122, Sacramento 117.
Indiana Pacers (+2.5) at L.A. Lakers (O/U 237.5)
(10:30 pm ET)
The Pacers (11-8) face a Lakers team that has won five of their last six, to improve their 2022-23 start to 7-11. The Lakers won both ends of a back-to-back in San Antonio over the weekend, rolling to a 143-138 barnburner of a win on Saturday night. The Pacers faced the L.A. Clippers on Sunday, losing, 114-100, to drop their second game in their last three. In 2021-22, the Pacers and Clippers split their two meetings, with the road team prevailing on both occasions.
At the half, the Pacers were only down by two against the Clippers, but a 23-12 third quarter blew the doors off the game. Indiana only made 38.3% of their shots and clanked 33 of their 42 three-point attempts. On the boards, the Pacers were not good, getting outrebounded, 62-39. The Pacers’ offense is normally more productive as the team averages 115.7 points per game. Jalen Smith did score 23 points and pulled down nine boards, and Tyrese Haliburton scored 15 points and dealt out 11 assists.
The Lakers simply could not miss on Saturday night against the Spurs, making 58% of their shots overall and draining 51.5% of their three-pointers. As they return home, they look to continue a three-game winning streak on their own floor. LeBron James put up 39 points, a season best, and added 11 boards. He went 11 of 21 from the floor, including 7 of 12 from beind the arc, and Dennis Schroder added 21 points and six assists. However, Anthony Davis remains a game-time decision after missing Saturday’s game. Final Score Prediction: Los Angeles 112, Indiana 108.
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