Monday Night Basketball Betting Portfolio

NBA wagers on Monday

By Liam Davis

Washington Wizards (-5) vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (+5)

If betting against the Washington Wizards feels wrong in this situation, we get it. They have won 18 of their last 19 games at home and have very clearly been the Eastern Conference's best team over their last 25 games or so.

But the Oklahoma City Thunder are not to be taken lightly. They may not stack up against the NBA's cream of the crop—namely the Golden State Warriors, as we saw on Saturday night—but Russell Westbrook gives them enough competitive fight to keep things close with the league's second-tier contenders. 

Bank on the Wizards winning. Just also make sure you're betting on it coming down to the game's final seconds.

The Pick: Oklahoma City Thunder (+5)

 

Indiana Pacers (+4.5) vs. San Antonio Spurs (-4.5)

The San Antonio Spurs' most recent rodeo road trip has not been kind to them. They have struggled to cover most spreads, and entering Monday night, they're working off a loss to the New York Knicks, one of the worst teams in league.

Still, as a general rule of thumb, you're never supposed to bet against head coach Gregg Popovich's crew. Even if he benches some of his starters—as will probably be the case on the second night of a back-to-back–it's safe to say the Spurs won't put forth their worst shooting performance of the season, like they did Sunday afternoon in New York.

We fully acknowledge the Indiana Pacers are a ridiculously tough team to beat at home, but the thought of picking against the Spurs here just feels weird.

The Pick: San Antonio Spurs (-4.5)

 

Milwaukee Bucks (-2) vs. Detroit Pistons (+2)

That the Milwaukee Bucks are favored here says more about the Detroit Pistons than anything else. They have been working through warts all season, and their offense still isn't right.

The Bucks, however, are in bad form. They have plunged down the Eastern Conference's standings after emerging as a dark-horse contender and continue to be inept when it comes to closing out games.

Losing Jabari Parker stings, and the Bucks will have to learn how to generate frontcourt offense without him. He was their only real shot creator next to Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Khris Middleton's return doesn't change that enough.

Take the Pistons here, if only because they've been playing well enough of late to take advantage of a team enduring hardship.

The Pick: Detroit Pistons (+2)

 

Dallas Mavericks (+2) vs. Boston Celtics (-2)

Indeed, the Dallas Mavericks have been hot. And yes, the Boston Celtics could be without Avery Bradley, Jaylen Brown and Jae Crowder when it comes time to tipoff. 

But we cannot underestimate the Celtics' depth, which has been in full bloom over the last few weeks.

Head coach Brad Stevens has the defense tapping into the full weight of its versatility, and Isaiah Thomas and Al Horford are more than capable of carrying the offense in the absences of both Bradley and Crowder.

The Pick: Boston Celtics (-2)

 

Denver Nuggets (+11.5) vs. Golden State Warriors (-11.5)

Part of you should want to pick the Denver Nuggets here. They have one of the three best offenses in the NBA since moving Nikola Jokic into the starting lineup, and the trade for Mason Plumlee from the Portland Trail Blazers significantly drives up their curb appeal.

With that being said, we also cannot forget what the Golden State Warriors did to the Oklahoma City Thunder, in Oklahoma City, on Saturday night: they beat them, thoroughly and unforgivingly, never really letting them back into the game, despite not playing their best.

This Warriors team can sleepwalk their way to big victories, so there's no reason to bet against them on the road when they've had one day of rest in between.

The Pick: Golden State Warriors (-11.5)

Category : Betting Picks

Tag : boston celtics , detroit pistons , Golden State Warriors , nba , oklahoma city thunder , san antonio spurs

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