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A five-game schedule featuring several intriguing matchups, with Minnesota looking to extend its five-game winning streak, Detroit aiming to continue its impressive early-season form and Denver travelling to New Orleans as a substantial favourite. The Timberwolves have established themselves among the West’s leading contenders, boasting a 9-3 record and an outstanding +13.4 scoring differential. Their meeting with Chicago presents an opportunity to maintain that momentum, although the Bulls arrive following a much-needed victory.
DENVER NUGGETS @ NEW ORLEANS PELICANS
Odds: DEN -11.5 ($1.85) / NO +11.5 ($1.95)
WIN/LOSS
| TEAM | W | L | HOME | ROAD |
| DEN | 6 | 4 | 2-2 | 3-2 |
| NO | 4 | 9 | 3-5 | 1-4 |
SEASON POINTS +/-
| TEAM | PPG | OPPG | DIFF | TOT.AV. |
| DEN | 114.5 | 113.3 | +1.2 | 227.8 |
| NO | 116.5 | 125.6 | -9.1 | 242.1 |
PICKS ATS
| SPREAD | POINTS | RESULT |
| NO | OVER | |
| +11.5 | 234.5 |
Denver and New Orleans meet for the third time this season at Smoothie King Center on Saturday night. The Nuggets won both previous meetings, extending their winning streak against the Pelicans to eight games.
New Orleans are coming off a 142-111 defeat to Memphis despite Saddiq Bey recording 30 points, 10 rebounds and 6 threes. Zion Williamson added 22 points and 3 steals in the absences of Trey Murphy III and Dejounte Murray. The Pelicans have now lost five straight games and face the second leg of a back-to-back.
Denver beat Memphis 123-118 on Wednesday, with Nikola Jokic delivering 27 points, 11 rebounds and 8 assists on 10-of-16 shooting (62.5%). Jamal Murray added 30 points and 8 assists. The Nuggets have now won eight straight games when Jokic shoots at least 60.0% from the field.
PICK – New Orleans Pelicans +11.5
DALLAS MAVERICKS @ CLEVELAND CAVALIERS
Odds: DAL +2.5 ($1.86) / CLE -2.5 ($1.94)
WIN/LOSS
| TEAM | W | L | HOME | ROAD |
| DAL | 7 | 5 | 5-2 | 2-3 |
| CLE | 6 | 7 | 4-2 | 2-5 |
SEASON POINTS +/-
| TEAM | PPG | OPPG | DIFF | TOT.AV. |
| DAL | 113.2 | 112.2 | +1.0 | 225.4 |
| CLE | 116.8 | 115.8 | +1.0 | 232.6 |
PICKS ATS
| SPREAD | POINTS | RESULT |
| CLE | UNDER | |
| -2.5 | 231.5 |
Dallas and Cleveland meet for the first time this season at Rocket Arena on Saturday night. Last season’s two-game series finished 1-1, with both teams winning on the road. The Cavaliers have won 23 of their last 31 home games.
Cleveland are coming off a 133-121 defeat to Miami despite James Harden recording 20 points, 6 rebounds, 8 assists and 3 steals. Donovan Mitchell added 25 points and 7 assists in the absence of Evan Mobley. The Cavaliers face a quick turnaround on the second leg of a back-to-back.
Dallas suffered a heavy 133-94 defeat to Minnesota on Thursday, losing by 39 points. Despite that result, the Mavericks have won five straight games against Eastern Conference opponents and will be looking to extend that streak. Max Christie is questionable for Dallas.
PICK – Cleveland Cavaliers -2.5
CHICAGO BULLS @ MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES
Odds: CHI +14.5 ($1.88) / MIN -14.5 ($1.92)
WIN/LOSS
| TEAM | W | L | HOME | ROAD |
| CHI | 2 | 9 | 1-4 | 1-5 |
| MIN | 9 | 3 | 5-1 | 4-2 |
SEASON POINTS +/-
| TEAM | PPG | OPPG | DIFF | TOT.AV. |
| CHI | 114.4 | 127.7 | -13.3 | 242.1 |
| MIN | 119.3 | 105.9 | +13.4 | 225.2 |
PICKS ATS
| SPREAD | POINTS | RESULT |
| MIN | UNDER | |
| -14.5 | 235.5 |
Chicago and Minnesota meet for the first time this season at Target Center on Saturday night. Last season’s two-game series finished 1-1, with both teams winning on the road. The Timberwolves enter this matchup on a five-game winning streak.
Minnesota are coming off a dominant 133-94 victory over Dallas, winning by 39 points. Bones Hyland recorded 24 points, 8 assists and 5 threes on 7-of-10 shooting (70.0%), while LaMelo Ball added 22 points and 9 assists.
Chicago beat Atlanta 125-117 in overtime yesterday, snapping an eight-game losing streak. Josh Giddey delivered 15 points, 10 rebounds, 14 assists and a career-high-tying 3 blocks, while Norman Powell scored 33 points. The Bulls face the second leg of a back-to-back without Caleb Wilson, who remains sidelined.
PICK – Under 235.5 Total Points
BROOKLYN NETS @ MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES
Odds: BKN +5.5 ($1.88) / MEM -5.5 ($1.92)
WIN/LOSS
| TEAM | W | L | HOME | ROAD |
| BKN | 3 | 8 | 1-3 | 2-5 |
| MEM | 8 | 4 | 2-4 | 6-0 |
SEASON POINTS +/-
| TEAM | PPG | OPPG | DIFF | TOT.AV. |
| BKN | 110.2 | 115.3 | -5.1 | 225.5 |
| MEM | 119.9 | 111.8 | +8.1 | 231.7 |
PICKS ATS
| SPREAD | POINTS | RESULT |
| MEM | OVER | |
| -5.5 | 226.5 |
Brooklyn and Memphis meet for the first time this season at FedExForum on Saturday night. The home team has won each of their last four meetings, including both games last season. The Nets will be looking to finish their four-game road trip with another victory.
Memphis are coming off a dominant 142-111 victory over New Orleans, winning by 31 points. Ten Grizzlies players scored in double figures, although Memphis have lost four straight home games heading into this matchup.
Brooklyn also smashed New Orleans in their latest outing, recording a 145-111 victory on Wednesday. Six Nets players scored at least 15 points in the 34-point win. Mikel Brown Jr. is questionable to return for Brooklyn.
PICK – Memphis Grizzlies -5.5
DETROIT PISTONS @ MIAMI HEAT
Odds: DET -4.5 ($1.88) / MIA +4.5 ($1.92)
WIN/LOSS
| TEAM | W | L | HOME | ROAD |
| DET | 8 | 3 | 3-2 | 5-1 |
| MIA | 6 | 6 | 2-3 | 4-3 |
SEASON POINTS +/-
| TEAM | PPG | OPPG | DIFF | TOT.AV. |
| DET | 115.5 | 107.8 | +7.7 | 223.3 |
| MIA | 117.2 | 120.1 | -2.9 | 237.3 |
PICKS ATS
| SPREAD | POINTS | RESULT |
| DET | ||
| -4.5 | 228.5 |
Detroit and Miami meet for the second time this season at Kaseya Center on Saturday night, separated by 2.5 games in the Eastern Conference standings. The Pistons won their first meeting 128-111 on October 23, claiming a 17-point road victory.
Miami are coming off a 133-121 victory over Cleveland, with Bam Adebayo recording 37 points and 14 rebounds on 13-of-19 shooting (68.4%). Giannis Antetokounmpo added 37 points and 9 rebounds, while Davion Mitchell delivered 22 points and a career-high-tying 17 assists. The Heat have now won three straight games.
Detroit defeated Washington 144-140 in double overtime on Thursday, with Cade Cunningham exploding for a career-high 52 points and 11 assists on 16-of-25 shooting (64.0%). Ausar Thompson added 17 points, 11 rebounds, a career-high 11 assists, 3 steals and 3 blocks. The Pistons have now won three straight road games.
PICK – Detroit Pistons -4.5
