Best NBA Bets for Rockets vs Knicks and Pelicans vs. Nuggets
Houston Rockets vs New York Knicks Betting Analysis
BetUS pro hoops handicapper Alex gave us several compelling reasons to include the Rockets in our NBA picks today. But after delving into this matchup a bit deeper, I found several more. The oddsmakers are being far too generous with this dangerous road dog, but I won’t complain about it; I’ll just bet on it.
The Rockets have won and covered their last two games against the Knicks, including their only meeting this season, a 109-97 victory on November 4th in which they easily covered as 2-point home underdogs. Nevertheless, we should also note both clubs are coming off humiliating losses on Sunday, with Houston losing 110-98 to Brooklyn while the Knicks suffered a 128-112 setback to the shorthanded Lakers.
However, the Rockets have been the consummate road warriors this season, boasting a 17-7 record, and last week showed just how good this team can truly be with back-to-back victories over the Cavaliers followed by wins over the Celtics and Hawks before getting edged, 120-119, by the Grizzlies yet covering as 4-point road hounds.
Grab the points and include the Rockets in your NBA picks, but don’t be surprised if they win this one outright.
Pick: Rockets +6 (-105)
New Orleans Pelicans vs. Denver Nuggets Betting Analysis
I always feel more confident about my NBA betting predictions when two of our BetUS basketball handicappers are on the same side. In this case, Sean and Doug are backing New Orleans in their NBA expert picks today, and it’s easy to see why considering the Pelicans are getting a boatload of points.
New Orleans has covered in 3 of their last 4 games against Denver, including both meetings this season. Just about five weeks ago, the Pelicans took the Nuggets to overtime before succumbing, 132-129, yet covering as 8½-point home dogs.
We should note that the Pels put in another gritty showing in their last effort, a 118-116 loss to the Boston Celtics on Friday, easily covering as 12-point home dogs. Meanwhile, the Nuggets were busy on Saturday night, just barely edging the lowly Hornets, 107-104, and failing to cover in their fifth consecutive game.
The Pelicans are not a good team, but they are often given too many points by the oddsmakers against top-tier clubs. Ironically, this is when New Orleans’ defense seems to stiffen and its offense comes alive. The Nuggets fall into this group of Grade A teams, and once again we see the oddsmakers handing the Pels a double-digit head start as usual against the league’s top brass.
