NBA Expert Picks and Best Bets | Nov 16

Just because there are only two games on the NBA’s schedule on Thursday doesn’t mean you can’t find great basketball bets. Specifically, we’ve got our eyes on the Eastern Conference showdown between the Miami Heat and the Brooklyn Nets. Both teams are off to a good start but are still trying to prove they belong among the Eastern Conference’s elite teams. With both teams excited for Thursday’s game, we created a same-game parlay for this matchup.

Heat -3.5 | -110 at DraftKings

The Heat heads into Thursday’s game as arguably the hottest team in the NBA right now, winning six straight games. In fact, Miami went 4-0 on the team’s recent road trip, covering the spread in all four games, including a win over the Hawks as an eight-point underdog. Oddly enough, that winning streak was started immediately after a 109-105 home loss to the Nets. However, that should motivate the Heat even more to stay hot and avenge that loss behind the play of Bam Adebayo and Jimmy Butler.

On the other side, the Nets deserve some credit for winning three of their last four games. Brooklyn has certainly started to settle in after finally trading away James Harden. However, it’s important not to overreact to wins over the Clippers, Magic, and Wizards. Outside of that win in Miami on November 1, the Nets have struggled when facing quality opponents. Also, Brooklyn is currently playing without Ben Simmons and leading scorer Cam Thomas. While Tyler Herro is out for Miami, there are far more concerns about the Nets having enough firepower to keep pace with the Heat for four quarters, allowing Miami to win and cover the spread in this game.

Under 217.5 | -110 at DraftKings

Neither team played on Wednesday, so there are no concerns with the Nets and Heat being too tired to score a lot of points. That being said, with Cam Thomas and Tyler Herro out, both teams are missing a player who averages 20-plus points per game. That’s going to keep either team from an offensive explosion. It’ll be even more difficult for the Nets with Ben Simmons out of the picture.

Miami has been particularly stingy defensively, holding seven of their 11 opponents below 110 total points. The Nets have also had to pay more attention to the defensive end of the floor lately given their injuries. Brooklyn has even held two of its last opponents below 100 points, hitting the under three times in their last four games. Likewise, Miami has hit the under four times in its last five games, so everything is trending toward a low-scoring affair on Thursday.

Bam Adebayo Double-Double | -265 at DraftKings

It doesn’t matter the opponent or the circumstances, Adebayo has become an almost automatic double-double big man. He’s averaging 23 points and 10.5 rebounds per game while putting together a string of five straight double-doubles. Adebayo even had a triple-double during that stretch. 

After some struggles rebounding the ball early in the season, Adebayo has become as consistent as anybody in the league in that category. Granted, the Nets rank third in the league in rebounds per game. But that means Adebayo will know how important it is for him to hit the glass and ensure he reaches double figures for his sixth consecutive double-double.