The Los Angeles Lakers (16-2) boast the best record in the NBA, and hit the road to play road games against the Washington Wizards and Dallas Mavericks. Meanwhile, the Milwaukee Bucks (15-3) have the best record in the Eastern Conference while riding a nine-game winning streak. The Greek Freak and the Bucks are on the road for back-to-back games against sub-.500 teams.
The San Antonio Spurs (6-13) have become instant fade material after they lost 12 out of their last 14 games. They went 3-11 against the spread during that stretch.
The Lakers, winners of nine in a row, take on the highest-scoring team in the league with a Friday night game against Bradley Beal and the Washington Wizards, and then fly down to Dallas to battle Luka Doncic and the Mavs on Sunday.
Friday, Nov. 29
Boston Celtics (13-4) at Brooklyn Nets (9-9)
Utah Jazz (11-7) at Memphis Grizzlies (5-12)
LA Clippers (14-5) at San Antonio Spurs (6-13)
Washington Wizards (6-10) at LA Lakers (16-2)Saturday, Nov. 30
Indiana Pacers (11-6) at Philadelphia 76ers (12-6)
Milwaukee Bucks (15-3) at Charlotte Hornets (7-12)Sunday, Dec. 1
Boston Celtics (13-4) at New York Knicks (4-14)
Dallas Mavericks (11-6) at LA Lakers (16-2)
Utah Jazz (11-7) at Toronto Raptors (13-4)
Utah Jazz point guard, Mike Conley, wants to avenge a 1-point loss to his old team, the Memphis Grizzlies. The Griz traded Conley after drafting Ja Morant with the second-overall pick in the NBA Draft.
The Toronto Raptors are undefeated at 8-0 when playing games in Canada this season.
Meanwhile, the NBA is in full action on the Friday after Thanksgiving (a.k.a. Black Friday), which could be a good spot or an awful spot, depending on the team you’d like to bet.
Friday NBA: Fat and Sassy
Boston Celtics (13-4) at Brooklyn Nets (9-9)… Kyrie Irving missed seven games with the Nets due to a shoulder impingement injury, including Wednesday’s night so-called homecoming against his former team, Boston. That didn’t stop Celtics fans from trolling Irving with “Missing” signs posted in the streets around the arena. The Celtics won by 11 points. Kemba Walker scored a season-high 39 points after missing a couple of games with a neck injury.
Utah Jazz (11-7) at Memphis Grizzlies (5-12)… The Grizzlies lost five games in a row. Their last victory occurred when they spoiled Mike Conley’s homecoming a couple weeks ago with a 1-point victory over the Jazz. Rookie Ja Morant scored 25 points, including the go-ahead bucket to secure the win for the Griz. Morant leads the Jazz with 19.9 points and 6.6 assists per game. He has the inside track to Rookie of the Year.
LA Clippers (14-5) at San Antonio Spurs (6-13)… Kawhi Leonard returns to San Antonio… if he doesn’t skip the game due to load management. The Spurs snapped an eight-game losing streak by beating up on the New York Knicks. They dropped two straight since then. The Spurs are an NBA-worst 4-15 against the spread.
Washington Wizards (6-10) at LA Lakers (16-2)… The Wizards score the most points in the NBA with 119.4 ppg. The high-octane offense is led by Bradley Beal (28.9 ppg), and they have six players averaging 12-plus points per game, including rookie Rui Hachimura. The over is 9-4-1 in the last 14 games for the Wizards. Mo Wagner, a second-year player out of Michigan, is finally getting playing time, and is responding with 13.8 ppg and 5.6 rebounds over his last eight games.
Saturday NBA: Back-to-Back Freak
Indiana Pacers (11-6) at Philadelphia 76ers (12-6)… Two playoff-caliber teams square off. The Sixers have yet to lose at home this season with an 8-0 clip. The Pacers are riding a four-game winning streak. Malcolm Brogdon leads the Pacers with 19.0 points and 8.1 assists per game. Domantas Sabonis (18.9 ppg) hauls down 13.3 rebounds per game, which is fifth-best in the NBA.
Milwaukee Bucks (15-3) at Charlotte Hornets (7-12)… The Greek Freak and the Bucks play at Cleveland on Friday before heading to Charlotte for the second game of a back-to-back. Khris Middleton is back in the lineup after suffering a wicked thigh bruise that kept him out almost two weeks. The Greek Freak is ranked second in the NBA in scoring with 31.1 ppg, and he’s fourth in rebounding with 13.7 boards per game. His 32.73 PER is the tops in the league. He dropped 50 points against Utah on Monday, and 30 against Atlanta on Wednesday.
Sunday NBA: Perfect Canada
Boston Celtics (13-4) at New York Knicks (4-14)… Kemba Walker grew up in the Bronx, so this is a homecoming of sorts. The Knicks screwed up and should have pursued Walker instead of whiffing on Kyrie Irving. Walker (22.0 ppg) bounced back from a potential disastrous neck injury in Denver last weekend. You can’t even fade the lowly Knicks. They’re 9-9 ATS, and even screw up that aspect for bettors.
Dallas Mavericks (11-6) at LA Lakers (16-2)… The first time these two teams met this season, the Lakers won an overtime thriller in Dallas to edge out the Mavs. LeBron James led all scorers with 39 points, and Anthony Davis added 31 points. Luka Doncic, the Mavs triple-double machine, posted a triple-double with 31 points, 15 assists, and 13 rebounds against the Lakers earlier this season. The Lakers and Mavs will be the Game of the Day, which is good to know if there’s a bad NFL game on simultaneously.
Utah Jazz (11-7) at Toronto Raptors (13-4)… The Raptors are one of a handful of teams that have yet to lose a home game this season. The defending champs are 8-0 in Canada this season. The Jazz don’t travel well with a 3-6 road clip versus 7-1 at home in Utah. The Raptors are 7-2-1 ATS in their last 10 games. The over is 6-2 at home for the Raptors this season.
