Docs Website

53 Years Strong! A Trusted Leader In Sports Picks, Best Bets and Predictions Since 1971.

Main Menu
NBA Odds: Friday, November 20 2015 Opening Line Report and Handicapping

by - 11/19/2015

Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan

Ah, the Philadelphia 76ers. They fell to 0-12 and lost their 22nd straight game overall on Wednesday, getting blown out by a Pacers team missing two of their best guards due to injury. But my favorite number from that embarrassment was that Philadelphia had a whopping 31 turnovers. That's the most in the NBA since Golden State had 31 against the Grizzlies on Nov. 8, 2000. And it wasn't exactly a fluke as the Sixers had 27 turnovers the game before. They lead the NBA by far in turning it over 17.9 times per game. That's 6.9 more than the team that does it the fewest, Charlotte -- which happens to be Friday's opponent.

76ers at Hornets (-11, 193)

This starts a six-game road trip for Philly, meaning that 0-18 record start of the 2009-10 Nets can be tied at the conclusion on Nov. 29 in Memphis. Probably the only chance I give the 76ers of winning is Nov. 23 in Minnesota -- the Wolves are a lot better this year but yet to win at home oddly. Charlotte is off a 116-111 win over Brooklyn on Wednesday to get back to .500. Reigning Eastern Conference Player of the Week Nic Batum had 24 points to lead the way. The Hornets did lose once in three tries to the Sixers in 2014-15. If you are wondering, Charlotte doesn't play Saturday, so it shouldn't be overlooking Philly.

Key trends: The road team is 4-1 against the spread in the past five meetings. The "over/under" has gone under in seven of the past 10.

Early lean: Sixers don't win but cover. Go way under.

Nets at Celtics (-8.5, 202.5)

This is the first of a home-and-home with Brooklyn hosting Boston on Sunday. The Nets are off a five-point loss in Charlotte on Wednesday despite a season-low nine turnovers. Thaddeus Young and Brook Lopez combined for 50 points in the loss. Boston was upset at home by Dallas on Wednesday, 106-102, to end a three-game winning streak. The Celtics blew an 18-point lead. Isaiah Thomas coughed up the ball late in the game with a chance to tie or take the lead.

Key trends: The Nets are 5-0 ATS in their past five overall. The under is 6-1 in Boston's past seven after a loss.

Early lean: Celtics and under.

Rockets at Grizzlies (-4.5, 201)

Houston won its first game since the Kevin McHale firing, 108-103 in overtime over Portland on Wednesday. It took a lucky Corey Brewer running 3-pointer at the buzzer to send the game into OT. Then James Harden took over -- he finished with 45 points, including all nine of Houston's in the extra period. Interim coach J.B. Bickerstaff started ageless Jason Terry ahead of struggling Ty Lawson, who finished with only two points on 1-for-8 shooting. Houston was without point guard Patrick Beverley (ankle) for a third straight game. He may start when healthy. Memphis has been off since a 122-114 win over the Thunder on Monday, the Grizzlies' third straight victory. New addition Mario Chalmers blew up for 29 points off the bench, 16 in the fourth quarter.

Key trends: Houston is 2-7 ATS in the past nine in Memphis. The over is 4-0 in the past four meetings overall.

Early lean: Grizzlies and over.

Pistons at Timberwolves (+2, 201)

Detroit ended a four-game skid with a 104-99 win over Cleveland on Tuesday. Reggie Jackson rebounded after a season-low nine points in a loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday with 23 points and 12 assists vs. the Cavs. Andre Drummond had another double-double (every game) with 25 points and 18 rebounds. It was Detroit's sixth win, which it didn't achieve last year until after Christmas. Minnesota lost 104-101 in overtime in Orlando on Wednesday in the second of a back-to-back. Rookie Karl-Anthony Towns continued to shine with 21 points, 12 rebounds and six blocks. It was his eighth double-double. The Wolves are a very good 5-2 on the road but 0-5 at home. The only other team without a home win is of course Philly.

Key trends: The Pistons are 0-4 ATS in their overall. Minnesota is 3-13 ATS in its past 16 at home. Detroit is 0-6-1 ATS in the past seven meetings. The under is 6-2 in the past eight in Minnesota.

Early lean: Towns vs. Drummond! Nice. Wolves get first home win. Go over.

Spurs at Pelicans (TBA)

This is your ESPN opener and will have live betting at sportsbooks. San Antonio won a sixth straight on Wednesday, 109-98 over Denver. Tony Parker scored a season-high 25, and the Spurs never trailed. Manu Ginobili missed that game with hip tightness, and he will miss this one as well. Be warned that this is the first of a back-to-back, so who knows what Gregg Popovich might do with some other guys. The season is already over for 1-11 New Orleans, which dropped a fifth straight Wednesday in Oklahoma City. The Pelicans played without Anthony Davis, and he's questionable, thus the TBA. Center Omer Asik sat Wednesday with a stomach bug but should play here. Not like it will matter.

Key trends: The Spurs are 1-8 ATS in the past nine in New Orleans. The over is 4-1 in the Pelicans' past five at home.

Early lean: Have to wait on Davis and Pop.

Knicks at Thunder (TBA)

Oklahoma City ended a two-game skid with a seven-point win over the Pelicans on Wednesday behind 43 points, nine rebounds and eight assist from Russell Westbrook. Kevin Durant sat out again and is not expected to play here (why the TBA even though he's doubtful). New York beat Charlotte on Tuesday for its second straight win to get to .500. The Kristaps Porzingis craze continues as the rookie had 29 points and 11 rebounds -- he has been spectacular so far and is already a huge fan-favorite. He's No. 2 in the rookie race behind the Timberwolves' Towns. Knicks coach Derek Fisher's final season as a player was in 2013-14 with Oklahoma City.

Key trends: New York is 7-0-1 ATS in its past eight road games. The under is 6-2 in the past eight meetings in OKC.

Early lean: Thunder will cruise.

Jazz at Mavericks (-2.5, 193)

Utah beat Toronto 93-89 for its second straight win Wednesday. Alec Burks made the go-ahead jumper with 1:12 left. The Jazz scored 35 combined points in the second and third quarters and 34 in the fourth quarter alone. It was only Utah's third home game, and now it's back on the road. I thought Dallas would stink this season, but the Mavs have won five straight and are off a 3-0 road trip through Houston, Philly and Boston. They rallied from 18 down Wednesday vs. the Celtics.

Key trends: The Jazz have covered only one of the past seven meetings. The over is 12-5 in Dallas' past seven at home.

Early lean: Mavericks and over.

Suns at Nuggets (+2.5, 206)

Phoenix had a three-game winning streak snapped in Wednesday's 103-97 home loss to Chicago. The Suns will almost never win when scoring less than 100 points because they don't defend well. Suns forward Markieff Morris was back in starting lineup after missing the previous two games with a left knee sprain. He scored only six points in 28 minutes. The Suns were without key reserve T.J. Warren, out due to flu-like symptoms. Denver concluded a three-game road trip with an 11-point loss in San Antonio on Wednesday. Nuggets rookie Nikola Jokic had 23 points off the bench. Denver lost in Phoenix 105-81 last Saturday. The Suns have won seven of the last eight meetings between the teams.

Key trends: The Suns are 7-1 ATS in the past eight meetings. The over is 4-0 in Denver's past four after a loss.

Early lean: Suns and over.

Clippers at Trail Blazers (TBA)

Los Angeles hosted Golden State on Thursday. No surprise a TBA here as it both J.J. Redick and Chris Paul were doubtful for the Clippers in that one -- and you know they want to beat the Warriors. That's a shame if those two can't play, so I'm sure they won't here. Portland blew Wednesday's game in Houston and dropped its seventh straight. The Blazers led by seven with a minute left. It's their worst losing streak since a 13-game skid in 2012-13. The Blazers have lost four straight games that were within one possession in the final three minutes. Forward Meyers Leonard missed a fifth game in a row with a shoulder injury but was close to playing so you might see him here.

Key trends: The underdog is 4-0 ATS in the past four meetings. The over is 5-2 in the past seven.

Early lean: I think Clippers will be flat after the Warriors game no matter who plays. Portland wins this outright.

Bulls at Warriors (-10, 207)

This is the ESPN nightcap and will have live betting. Golden State was at the L.A. Clippers on Thursday. I don't want to call the Warriors lucky. But they got the Clippers probably without Paul and Redick and now likely get the Bulls not only without Derrick Rose, who missed Wednesday's win in Phoenix with a sprained ankle, but his replacement, Aaron Brooks. The latter is doubtful with a left hamstring injury, leaving the Suns game in the third quarter. So that will mean heavy minutes for Kirk Hinrich chasing around Steph Curry. Chicago did hand Golden State one of its two regular-season home losses last year. Rose had a big game.

Key trends: The Warriors are 7-2 ATS in their past nine in the second of a back-to-back. The over is 5-1 in Chicago's past six vs. teams with a winning record.

Early lean: Like the Warriors unless they are taken to the limit -- or lose -- on Thursday. Go over here regardless.

Raptors at Lakers (+5.5, 202.5)

Toronto has dropped the first three games of its five-game road trip. It was held to 89 points in Wednesday's loss at Utah. But I recommend you type: "DeMar DeRozan dunk Rudy Gobert" into YouTube to see a sweet highlight from that game. The Raptors' Terrance Ross did not play due to a left thumb ligament injury. L.A. has been off since a 120-101 loss in Phoenix on Monday. Kobe Bryant sat that out in the second of a back-to-back but will play here. L.A. is 15-3 at home all-time in this series.

Key trends: The Raptors are 8-1 ATS in their past nine vs. the West. The under is 6-1 in the Lakers' past seven overall.

Early lean: Raptors and under.

Doc's handicappers are offering $60 worth of member's picks absolutely free - no obligation, no sales people - no credit card information required. Claim your free NBA picks today

Read more articles by

Most Recent NBA Handicapping

One E-mail A Week Is All You Need!
Our weekly newsletter is loaded with exclusive free picks,insight and advice from our expert handicappers