Today's NBA Best Bets: Picks, Predictions and Odds for ALL Games on Monday 11/17

Despite the model prediction favoring the Houston Rockets, the bet on the Orlando Magic is a viable choice considering the inconsistencies in the Rockets' performance. The Rockets' home record is only slightly better than the Magic's away record (2-3 vs 1-4), indicating that the Rockets do not have a significant home court advantage in this matchup. Furthermore, the Rockets have only managed a 1-1 record against the Magic in their last five encounters. This shows that the Magic have the capability to challenge the Rockets. The scoring stats are also not too disparate, with the Magic's average score just 9.2 points behind the Rockets'. Considering these factors, the bet on the Orlando Magic may be a risk, but it's a calculated one that could pay off.

San Antonio Spurs vs Sacramento Kings : San Antonio Spurs -8.5 (-108)

The bet on 'San Antonio Spurs -8.5' is driven by the Spurs' superior scoring performance over the Kings in recent games. The Spurs have averaged 126.8 points in the last five games, significantly outscoring the Kings' average of 113.2 points. Even when considering home and away performances, the Spurs still hold an advantage with 124.6 points to the Kings' 118.6. Additionally, the Spurs' recent home record (3-2) is better than the Kings' away record (1-4). Despite the Kings having a better head-to-head record in their last five encounters, the Spurs' scoring power and home advantage make them favorites to cover the 8.5 point spread.

San Antonio Spurs vs Sacramento Kings : Sacramento Kings 8.5 (-115)

The Sacramento Kings have a strong betting rationale for the Point Spread market. Despite their recent overall 1-4 away record, they have demonstrated a strong performance against the Spurs, with a 3-1 record in their last 5 meetings. Additionally, their away score average of 118.6 over their last 5 games indicates a significant offensive capability. The Spurs have had a weaker home performance, with a 2-3 home record and an average home score of 124.6, not significantly higher than the Kings' away score average. The Spurs have also struggled defensively, with opponents averaging 130 points at home over the last 5 games, compared to the Kings' opponents averaging 105.8 points away. Therefore, the bet on 'Sacramento Kings 8.5' is a good choice as the Kings have displayed the potential to cover the point spread.

Washington Wizards vs Brooklyn Nets : Washington Wizards -2.5 (-115)

The betting on 'Washington Wizards -2.5' for the Point Spread is a calculated risk based on recent performance data. Statistically, the Wizards have a higher overall team score (115.2) compared to the Nets' 108.4 in the last five games. More importantly, when playing at home, the Wizards average a higher team score (118) against the Nets' away score (117.4), which could provide the needed advantage. While the recent head-to-head and home record may be in favor of the Nets, the model prediction indicates a 3.91 point advantage for the Wizards, exceeding the 2.5 spread. The model edge of 16% further reinforces this bet. Therefore, considering the scoring statistics and the model predictions, there's a strong case for placing a bet on 'Washington Wizards -2.5'.

Houston Rockets vs Orlando Magic : Houston Rockets Under 128.5 Team Total Points (-714)

The bet on 'Houston Rockets Under 128.5' in the Team Total Points (Alternate) market is driven by the team's recent scoring trends. Over their last five games, the Rockets' average score is 116 points overall and 113.8 points at home, both significantly below the 128.5 point line. Even considering their best performance, the Rockets haven't approached this high total. Moreover, the model prediction for the Rockets' score is only 100.26 points, further suggesting that they are unlikely to exceed 128.5 points. While their home record is strong (4-1 overall), their scoring hasn't been exorbitant to justify a higher point expectation. The opposing team, Orlando Magic, also allowed an average of 118 points in the Rockets' home games, again below the bet line. Therefore, the statistical data supports the bet that the Rockets will score under 128.5 points.