The Cleveland Cavaliers sit at 4-6 and would not make the playoffs out of the Eastern Conference if the season ended today. Why? Because they are still having a hard time figuring out how to replace the scoring of Kyrie Irving in their lineup. Granted, they’re just a game out of eighth place — and the season is very young — but the spat between LeBron and Kyrie just may have slammed shut the Cavaliers’ championship window and ensured that LeBron will head to an easier destination to win when free agency hits. The Philadelphia 76ers have come to life, winning four in a row after a slow start. As we look at the NBA betting week ahead, consider some of our top matchups and picks. Home teams are in all caps.
Top NBA Betting Games & Picks – November 6th Edition
NBA Power Rankings: We’re no longer giving slow starters a pass https://t.co/LcWNV8EUzz pic.twitter.com/zyr0OudhAQ
— The Crossover (@TheCrossover) November 6, 2017
Tuesday, November 7
CLEVELAND over Milwaukee (7:00pm ET, NBA TV)
Milwaukee did burst out of the gate quickly, but they have dropped three straight, including a 105-96 setback at Detroit on Friday night. So while the league is ooh-ing and aah-ing over Giannis Antetokounmpo and his transformation of the Milwaukee offense, the Bucks’ inability to get stops at key times will keep them from contending if they don’t fix it. They visit a Cleveland team that got 57 from Lebron in an eight-point win at Washington but failed to close out the Hawks at home, losing 117-115 on Sunday night (allowing Atlanta to end an eight-game losing streak). I see Cleveland figuring things out on offense — and stiffening up on defense to make a statement after that humbling loss.Wednesday, November 8
BOSTON over L.A. Lakers (8:00pm ET, ESPN)
For those who were fans of basketball back when Larry Bird and Magic Johnson dueled in those famed Celtics-Lakers tilts, this rematch takes you back to a golden era in the NBA. This Celtics team has gotten off to a great start at 8-2. Al Horford is back to his active self in the middle, grabbing 10 boards and scoring 14 points in the Celtics’ win over Orlando on Sunday, their eighth straight win. Boston ranks #1 in the NBA in defense, which is a throwback influence after the video-game scoring that has dominated the postseason the past three seasons. In comes a Lakers team that sits at 5-5 and has won three of four, including home wins over Detroit, Brooklyn and Memphis. Brook Lopez and Brandon Ingram have impressed so far — Lopez is averaging 27.3 points over his last three games. Even so, I see the Celtics teaching Lonzo Ball and the rest of these young Lakers a lesson. So don’t doubt choosing them as an NBA betting pick.
