Free NBA Picks For Today, Saturday 11/16/2024

We have five games in the NBA scheduled for today, and here you can read the NBA Picks for Saturday 11/16/2024.

Milwaukee Bucks vs Charlotte Hornets Prediction NBA Picks 11/16/24

Bucks at Hornets at 3 PM ET

Although the Milwaukee Bucks have struggled to establish their momentum this season, they are now pursuing a third straight win after a thrilling 127-120 overtime victory over the Pistons at home on Wednesday. Giannis Antetokounmpo was exceptional, recording a season-high 59 points, 14 rebounds, and seven assists on 21 of 34 shooting. Brook Lopez supported the effort with 29 points, eight rebounds, and five blocks, while Taurean Prince contributed 15 points, 10 rebounds, and three assists.

The Charlotte Hornets find themselves in a difficult situation, having lost five out of their last seven games. They are eager to break a two-game losing streak after suffering a heavy defeat against the depleted Magic, who triumphed 114-89 in their recent away match on Tuesday. LaMelo Ball led the team with an impressive performance, scoring 35 points, along with six rebounds and seven assists. Grant Williams contributed 15 points, while Moussa Diabete made a significant impact off the bench with 12 points and 15 rebounds. Conversely, Brandon Miller had a challenging outing, scoring only eight points on three of 18 shooting from the field and one of 11 from three-point range.

The Pick:

This season, the Bucks have been severely impacted by injuries, yet they are fortunate to have a player like Antetokounmpo, who can elevate the team’s performance, as evidenced by his display on Wednesday. On the other hand, the Hornets have struggled to find their rhythm, even with a fully healthy roster. Securing a win in this contest could significantly boost their morale. Although I would rather refrain from making a prediction on this game, if I were to select a side, I would favor the Bucks, as I believe Giannis is on the verge of another remarkable game.

Toronto Raptors vs Boston Celtics Prediction NBA Picks 11/16/24

Raptors at Celtics at 8 PM ET

The Toronto Raptors are enduring a difficult period, having lost 10 of their last 11 games. They are looking to halt a six-game losing streak after a close defeat to the Pistons, ending in a 99-95 scoreline last night. Jakob Poeltl was the top scorer for the team, amassing 25 points, 19 rebounds, three assists, and three blocks. RJ Barrett also made a notable contribution with 22 points and seven assists, while Gradey Dick scored 16 points; however, the rest of the roster failed to reach double-digit scoring.

The Boston Celtics are enjoying a successful start to the season, having triumphed in 10 of their first 13 contests. Following a resounding 139-114 victory against the Nets on Wednesday, they are eager to sustain their winning streak. Jayson Tatum was instrumental in the win, amassing 36 points, nine rebounds, and 10 assists. Jaylen Brown also made significant contributions with 24 points, 12 rebounds, and four assists, while Payton Pritchard came off the bench to score 23 points and provide eight assists. Additionally, Jrue Holiday added 16 points to the team’s total.

The Pick:

This season, the Raptors have been regarded as one of the more disappointing teams, arriving at this encounter after a loss to the Pistons, where they only managed to score 95 points. The Celtics are undoubtedly the favorites in this game, despite facing some roster challenges. Their status as favorites is well-deserved, given their impressive performance against various teams this season. While the betting line is significant, it is expected that the Celtics, known for their depth, will handle it with ease.

LA Lakers vs New Orleans Pelicans Prediction NBA Picks 11/16/24

Lakers at Pelicans at 8 PM ET

The Los Angeles Lakers are gaining momentum as they pursue their fifth consecutive victory, following a hard-fought 120-115 win against the Spurs on the road last night. Anthony Davis was the standout performer, contributing 40 points, 12 rebounds, two assists, and two blocks. Austin Reaves supported the effort with 19 points and six assists, while LeBron James recorded a triple-double, finishing with 15 points, 16 rebounds, and 12 assists.

Recently, the New Orleans Pelicans have faced a challenging period, suffering defeats in nine of their last eleven contests. Nevertheless, they managed to lift their spirits by ending a six-game losing streak with a 101-94 win at home against Denver last night. Brandon Ingram was instrumental in this victory, scoring 29 points, along with nine rebounds and seven assists on 12 of 26 shooting. Furthermore, Brandon Boston Jr. contributed 19 points and four assists, while Trey Murphy added 17 points, eight rebounds, and three assists to the team’s efforts.

The Pick:

The Lakers enter this contest as the obvious favorites, having secured four consecutive victories and boasting a fully healthy roster. In contrast, the Pelicans are significantly undermanned, missing nearly all of their starting players, and had suffered six consecutive losses prior to their recent win against a weakened Nuggets team. It is somewhat surprising that the Lakers are not favored by a larger margin in this matchup. Therefore, I confidently predict that the Lakers will extend their successful streak with another victory and cover the spread while playing against this shorthanded Pelicans squad.

San Antonio Spurs vs Dallas Mavericks Prediction NBA Picks 11/16/24

Spurs at Mavericks at 8:30 PM ET

The San Antonio Spurs secured a victory against the Wizards but suffered a defeat to the Lakers. Currently, the Spurs are averaging 109.8 points per game with a shooting percentage of 46.7, while they are permitting 109.3 points on 45.6 percent shooting. Victor Wembanyama is contributing an average of 22.3 points and 10.2 rebounds, whereas Devin Vassell is averaging 16.7 points along with 3 assists.

The Dallas Mavericks faced defeats against the Jazz and the Warriors. They are currently averaging 114.3 points with a shooting efficiency of 48 percent while permitting 111.3 points at a shooting percentage of 45.8. Luka Doncic is averaging 29.3 points and 8 assists, and Kyrie Irving is contributing an average of 25.2 points along with 4.6 rebounds.

The Pick:

The Mavericks have struggled recently, posting a 2-5-1 record against the spread over their last eight games and suffering four consecutive losses, including a defeat to the Jazz while they were eight-point favorites. Conversely, the San Antonio Spurs are wrapping up a back-to-back but remain competitive, with their offense showing signs of improvement. Given my past experiences with the Mavericks this season, I am inclined to support the Spurs and accept the points.

Utah Jazz vs Sacramento Kings Prediction NBA Picks 11/16/24

Jazz at Kings at 10 PM ET

The Utah Jazz experienced a defeat against the Suns but secured a victory over the Mavericks. Currently, the team is averaging 106.6 points per game with a shooting percentage of 43.4, while they are permitting 118.5 points on 47.8 percent shooting. John Collins contributes an average of 18.1 points and 7.8 rebounds, whereas Lauri Markkanen averages 16.3 points and 6.1 rebounds.

The Sacramento Kings triumphed over the Suns but were defeated by the Timberwolves. The team is currently averaging 116.5 points with a shooting percentage of 49.1, while they concede an average of 112.5 points at a shooting rate of 45 percent. De’Aaron Fox is averaging 24.6 points and 5.3 rebounds, while DeMar DeRozan contributes an average of 22.9 points and 4.1 rebounds.

The Pick:

The Kings have demonstrated a strong performance against the Jazz, holding a record of 7-1 straight up and 5-3 against the spread in their last eight encounters. Notably, the Kings secured a 17-point victory over the Jazz just a few weeks prior. Given the Jazz’s struggles on both offense and defense, it is challenging to support them with any degree of confidence. I anticipate a decisive home win for the Kings.