Expert NBA Best Bets and Player Props Today - Monday, November 20th
The 2023-24 NBA season has begun and we're excited over here at VSiN. As always, Jonathan Von Tobel will be providing you with his exceptional coverage of the greatest league in the world. Just click here for all of his content. However, all of my picks will be featured in this daily column, which will combine my best bets and player props. I'll be doing this every single day of the week — although it'll be a little shorter on the weekends. So, keep reading to find out how I'm playing the NBA slate on Monday, November 20. Also, check out our NBA Odds page for the latest line movement.
MORE: Check out our Pro Picks page for everything our experts have on November 20
2023 Record: 58-36 (+20.01 units)
NBA Best Bets Today - November 20
For as good as the Timberwolves have been this season, this is a tough matchup for them. New York is actually just above Minnesota in terms of adjusted net rating, according to Dunks & Threes. And the reason for that is that the Knicks are a slightly better offensive team, which matters when you factor in that both have elite defenses. On top of that, New York is an impressive 35-19 against the spread in road games over the last two seasons. And the Knicks have won those games by an average of 1.2 points per game. This team is very comfortable when playing away from home, and they’re also scorching hot at the moment. New York has won six of its last seven games, and the team is also 7-1 ATS in its last eight.
There’s no denying that Anthony Edwards will be the best player on the court in this game, but that doesn’t mean this will be a straightforward win for the Timberwolves. The Knicks have some big bodies on the wing to check him, with Josh Hart and RJ Barrett both being capable of making things tough on him. I also don’t see Rudy Gobert dominating the glass in this game, as Mitchell Robinson is one of the best rebounders in basketball.
The question here comes down to whether the Knicks will be able to create enough offense to keep this close. But I think Jalen Brunson should enjoy this matchup quite a bit. Last year, Brunson averaged 23.0 points and 9.0 assists per game in two meetings with the Timberwolves, and he did it on 56.3% shooting from the floor. And overall, I don’t think that Minnesota will have an answer for him. That might mean that the Timberwolves will need to send a little help in his direction, which would mean some open shots for his teammates. And Immanuel Quickley’s quickness and burst off the bench should provide a spark for the Knicks.
Bet: Knicks +3.5 (-115 - Play to +3)
The Rockets are coming off a hard-fought loss to the Los Angeles Lakers last night, and backing a team on the second night of a road back-to-back isn’t always a great idea. However, this is an extremely feisty Houston squad, and it’s one that is 8-0 ATS since the start of November. The Rockets are also 12th in the league in adjusted defensive rating this year, and I trust that Ime Udoka will have his guys ready to go out and defend Stephen Curry here. That might not mean shutting the superstar down, but Houston can force him into tough shots and make him get rid of the basketball. And considering the way the Warriors supporting cast has played this season, that would be a huge win for them.
Golden State also happens to be without Draymond Green for another couple of games, and that really hurts the Warriors defensively. Golden State is coming off two games in a row against the Oklahoma City Thunder, and the team gave up 258 points over those two contests. The Thunder also shot at least 50.0% from the floor in both of them, so Golden State hasn’t been able to get stops without Green. That’s not what you want against a Houston team that is weaker on the offensive end. If the Rockets are getting good looks and competing defensively, it’s hard to see them getting blown out.
It’s also just not very often that you get a solid team getting this many points against a squad that has lost six games in a row. So, even though it’s a tough scheduling spot, I’m taking the points.
Bet: Rockets +7.5 (-110 - Play to +7)
NBA Player Props Today - November 20
Malik Beasley is playing 26.6 minutes per game for the Bucks this season, and he has hit the 30-minute mark in each of the last three. He’s a big part of this Milwaukee rotation, and he’s shooting a ridiculous 46.1% from 3 this season. That said, I think Beasley stands to benefit a lot from tonight’s meeting with the Wizards, who are just 24th in the league in adjusted defensive rating and play at the second-fastest pace in the league. That’s an unbelievable recipe for success for an opposing offense, which is why I’m going to Beasley to score Over 9.5 points tonight. I could have easily gone with guys like Damian Lillard or Giannis Antetokounmpo, but a team like Washington will overplay those two superstars. That will leave Beasley to feast on open looks. And he might get some easy buckets in transition.
Bet: Beasley Over 9.5 Points (-115)
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