Brooklyn Nets vs Indiana Pacers Prediction, 11/25/2022 Preview and Pick

The Brooklyn Nets are on the docket to go head to head with the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Friday, November 25, 2022. Brooklyn heads into this game with a record of 8-10 for the campaign. Indiana has a win-loss mark of 10-6 this season. This matchup report includes betting lines and our pick of the day for this game.

Nets hope effort stays up ahead of trip to Pacers

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For most of his 12-game tenure, coach Jacque Vaughn saw the Brooklyn Nets give enough effort that did not warrant severe criticism.

After the Nets took an 11-point loss in Philadelphia Tuesday, against an opponent missing three starters, Vaughn took his team's effort to task.

Brooklyn's effort was significantly better Wednesday in Toronto and Vaughn is hoping to see more of the same Friday night when the Nets visit the Indiana Pacers.

The Nets are 7-5 since Vaughn replaced Steve Nash on Nov. 1, a day after Brooklyn beat Indiana 116-109 and three days after it allowed 23 3-pointers in an 11-point loss to Indiana that prompted a team meeting.

On Wednesday, the Nets earned a 112-98 win over the Raptors, who were without Fred VanVleet, Scottie Barnes and Pascal Siakam. Brooklyn did allow 34 second-chance points and 23 offensive rebounds Wednesday but also limited Toronto to 35.6 percent shooting, including a stout 7 of 29 from 3-point range after allowing 16 3s on Tuesday.

It was Brooklyn's second-lowest opponent shooting percentage of the season and the sixth time it allowed under 100 points this season -- with each instance occurring since Vaughn took over.

"You didn't see as many breakdowns at the end of plays tonight, the concentration level," Vaughn said. "A big piece of that is just holding each other to a higher standard. I thought from the beginning of the game, you saw that: a lot more talk from each other, a lot more communication, a lot more demand from each other, which was great to see also."

Kyrie Irving scored 19 of his 29 points in the third quarter and the Nets survived Kevin Durant being held to a season-low 12 points.

"We're in the business of winning," Irving said. "We'll take this one, especially after last night's loss, and the whole internet going up in an uproar in terms of how embarrassed we should be, which is true. We just wanted to make sure we paid attention to detail tonight. We came out and responded."

Indiana has won five of six but saw its five-game winning streak stopped by a rough night of interior defense.

In Wednesday's 115-101 loss to the visiting Minnesota Timberwolves, the Pacers allowed a dreadful 74 points in the paint, resulting in Minnesota shooting 61 percent from the field. Before Wednesday, Indiana conceded 104.6 points on 40.9 percent from the field in its five-game winning streak.

"We've got to defend better and be better on offense, both sides of the ball," Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said after his team took 19 more shots than Minnesota and shot 38.5 percent from the field.

"We have to get back to our defensive principles," Indiana guard Buddy Hield added. "We weren't in the right spots tonight. I don't know what happened out there but that wasn't us."

Carlisle and Indiana are also hoping for another big game from Myles Turner. Turner scored 31 points and is averaging 20.4 points on 61.2 percent shooting in his past nine contests.

Rookie Bennedict Mathurin, who scored a career-high 32 at Brooklyn Oct. 29, added 21 but Indiana got little from its starting backcourt of Tyrese Haliburton and Aaron Nesmith, who combined to go 5 of 24 from the floor.

--Field Level Media

Copyright 2022 STATS LLC and Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and Associated Press is strictly prohibited.

GAME LINES

BKN Nets Spread -3.0 -111

Total O 234.0 -111

BKN Nets Money Line -152

IND Pacers Spread +3.0 -111

Total U 234.0 -111

IND Pacers Money Line +130

PICK: OVER 234

ANALYSIS: Brooklyn will pick up a victory on the road Friday against Indiana, but the play here is OVER. The OVER has cashed in five of the last seven overall between Brooklyn and Indiana as well as in 25 of the last 32 that Brooklyn has played in Indiana versus the Pacers. 

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Philadelphia 76ers vs Orlando Magic Prediction, 11/25/2022 Preview and Pick

 

The Philadelphia 76ers are set to play the Orlando Magic at Amway Center on Friday, November 25, 2022. Philadelphia enters this matchup with a win-loss mark of 9-8 this season. Orlando has a win-loss record of 5-13 on the season. This Matchup report includes Vegas odds and a free basketball pick for tonight.

Ailing 76ers set for test against Magic

The injury-riddled Philadelphia 76ers look to avoid falling below .500 on the season when they visit the Orlando Magic on Friday.

Philadelphia lost for the second time in three outings with a 107-101 setback to the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday.

Shake Milton collected 22 points, nine assists and seven rebounds and De'Anthony Melton added 20 points, six boards and four steals in the defeat. The two have meshed well while playing in place of James Harden and Tyrese Maxey, who are dealing with respective foot injuries.

"He is easy to play with, somebody that is so versatile who can do so many things offensively and defensively, he is just really easy to bounce ideas off of," Milton said of Melton. "When you're on the court with him and able to catch a rhythm with him, it's just something about people that really know how to play the game of basketball whether it be cutting, coming off pin downs, passing the ball, playing defense."

Another player nursing an injury for the 76ers is star Joel Embiid, who is dealing with a left mid-foot sprain. The five-time All-Star is averaging 32.3 points, 10.1 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game.

In Embiid's absence, Tobias Harris and Montrezl Harrell picked up the slack on Wednesday by scoring 19 and 16 points, respectively.

"I thought we played great," Philadelphia coach Doc Rivers said. "Honestly, I think we ran out of gas. I didn't see a negative thing we can say in this game."

While the 76ers effectively have been stuck in neutral, the Magic have been going in reverse with losses in four of their last five games -- including two in a row to the Indiana Pacers.

Franz Wagner scored 29 points in Orlando's 114-113 setback to Indiana on Saturday and added 20 more in a 123-102 loss on Monday.

Star rookie Paolo Banchero sat out those two games and the last seven overall with a sprained left ankle sustained in the fourth quarter of a 134-127 loss to the Houston Rockets on Nov. 7.

Banchero, the top overall pick of the 2022 NBA Draft, returned to practice on Wednesday. His availability for Friday's game will be determined based on his response to the practice session and treatment.

"I'm feeling good," Banchero said. "It was good just to get back. It's been a while. A lot of observing. So, I was just happy to be out there."

Banchero bolted out to a fast start to his NBA career by averaging 23.5 points, 8.3 rebounds and 3.6 assists in 11 games.

"I was in a good rhythm for sure," Banchero said. "I definitely felt like I was improving every game (and) just learning. After every game, I was watching a lot of film with the coaches and I just felt a gradual improvement. It sucks that I got hurt in the middle of playing well like that, but I'm looking forward to coming back whenever I do and just picking up where I left off."

--Field Level Media

Copyright 2022 STATS LLC and Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and Associated Press is strictly prohibited.

GAME LINES

PHI 76ers Spread +3.5 -111

Total O 217.0 -111

PHI 76ers Money Line +145

ORL Magic Spread -3.5 -111

Total U 217.0 -111

ORL Magic Money Line -167

PICK: ORLANDO MAGIC -167

ANALYSIS: Philadelphia C Joel Embiid has missed consecutive games with a foot sprain and his status for this game is uncertain. These two teams rank in the bottom half of the league in tempo, so the under is worth a look. The stronger play is on the Magic to cover at home. 

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Minnesota Timberwolves vs Charlotte Hornets Prediction, 11/25/2022 Preview and Pick

 

The Minnesota Timberwolves are set to take on the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center on Friday, November 25, 2022. Minnesota will enter this matchup with a win-loss mark of 9-8 this season. Charlotte has a record of 4-14 so far this year. This report has odds and your NBA predictions for todays game against the spread.

Hornets look for consecutive wins when they face Wolves

The Charlotte Hornets aren't at full strength and they're far from a smooth operation.

So maybe it's a degree of toughness that's going to have to blossom in order for the team to have much success.

"We just made a lot of toughness plays down the stretch and got the win," guard Terry Rozier said, referring to a rare victory earlier this week.

The Hornets haven't won back-to-back games this season, but they'll try to achieve that feat Friday when they face the visiting Minnesota Timberwolves.

The Timberwolves have been rolling for more than a week, carrying a five-game winning streak into the contest after winning 115-101 on Wednesday night at Indiana. That's as many victories as Charlotte has all season -- and the longest active winning streak in the NBA.

It's also taken just a week and a half for the Timberwolves to double their season's win total from five to 10.

"It's been fun," Timberwolves big man Rudy Gobert said. "Every night we try to set the tone."

The Timberwolves had their best game of the season in Indianapolis, coach Chris Finch said.

"Every time they've played they've been a little better," Finch said of the starting unit. "It takes a while."

The Hornets won a home game for just the second time by beating the Philadelphia 76ers 107-101 on Wednesday night. Still, Charlotte is 2-11 in its last 13 games overall.

Strange as it might sound, the Hornets needed to win in a close game rather than one in which they held a comfortable lead.

"It's more rewarding to execute down the stretch and have something that wasn't a runaway," center Mason Plumlee said.

Rozier is the team's leading scorer at 20.4 points per game. He had 22 points in the Philadelphia game despite not scoring in the first quarter.

"My confidence never leaves me," Rozier said. "I'm always a guy to go home, look myself in the mirror and if I made mistakes, I'm always going to be hard on myself. My coaches and my teammates, they do a great job of believing in me."

Having Rozier back in the lineup is a welcome sight for the Hornets, as he missed time earlier in the season with an ankle injury. His presence is even more important now that backcourt mate LaMelo Ball is out with an ankle injury.

"He's playing huge minutes and he's got a lot of responsibility," Charlotte coach Steve Clifford said.

Clifford said there's reason for concern about how the Hornets have attacked early in some games. That could be a bigger focus against the Timberwolves, who are tied for first in the NBA in first-quarter scoring.

The Hornets have struggled in transition, too. So, amid the adjustments to the lineup and wavering availability of some players, that's something that the team wants to improve upon.

"We should be hungry to get the defensive rebound and get out and go," Plumlee said.

The Timberwolves are bound to be aware of that.

"Teams that play fast, move the ball well, has really troubled us so far," Finch said.

--Field Level Media

Copyright 2022 STATS LLC and Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and Associated Press is strictly prohibited.

GAME LINES

MIN Timberwolves Spread -5.0 -111

Total O 224.5 -111

MIN Timberwolves Money Line -200

CHA Hornets Spread +5.0 -111

Total U 224.5 -111

CHA Hornets Money Line +170

PICK: MINNESOTA -5.0

ANALYSIS: The Minnesota Timberwolves are quietly playing good ball, and that includes winning their last 5 games by an average of 8.8 points while shooting 51.8 percent from the filed. The Charlotte Hornets haven’t played well without Ball this season, and they’ll be down their star point guard again here. The line is reasonable. Give me the Timberwolves.

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Sacramento Kings vs Atlanta Hawks Prediction, 11/23/2022 Preview and Pick

 

The Sacramento Kings are on the docket to meet the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena on Wednesday, November 23, 2022. Sacramento steps onto the hardwood with a mark of 9-6 so far this season. Atlanta has a mark of 10-7 this season. This game report has an NBA basketball pick, betting odds, and trends for tonights key matchup.

Kevin Huerter makes return to Atlanta as Kings face Hawks

The surging Sacramento Kings put their seven-game winning streak on the line when they make their only visit to play the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday.

Sacramento extended its streak, its longest since November 2004, with a 113-109 win over the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday. The Hawks are coming off a 114-102 loss at Cleveland on Monday.

The Hawks swept the two-game series with Sacramento last season. The Hawks have won the last two games against the Kings in Atlanta.

The game will mark the return of former Hawk Kevin Huerter, a popular player who spent four seasons with Atlanta after being the 19th overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft. Huerter averaged 11.4 points during his tenure with the Hawks, where he established his reputation for 3-point shooting prowess. He was traded to the Kings in July for Maurice Harkless, Justin Holiday and a first-round pick.

Huerter scored 18, including four 3-pointers in the win over Memphis. De'Aaron Fox, who was named Western Conference Player of the Week on Monday, scored 32 and Harrison Barnes added 26 in the win.

"I feel like my first couple years, there weren't guys who really knew my game," Huerter said. "They probably saw me as a guy who stands in the corner and shoots. I think I'm a guy who can get into the paint, make plays and obviously distribute and make plays for other guys, too."

The Hawks have missed Huerter's 3-point touch. Atlanta was second in the league last season with 37.4 percent, but rank 27th in 3-point percentage (32.0). Even Trae Young's perimeter numbers are down; he's shooting 30.4 percent on 3's and Monday made just 1-for-7.

Young is otherwise having a fine season. He is averaging 27.2 points and 9.5 assists and has posted a double-double in three of his last five games. Young is one 10-assist game away from tying Doc Rivers (138) for the most in franchise history.

With De'Andre Hunter out with the flu, Atlanta coach Nate McMillan gave first-round draft pick A.J. Griffin his first start on Monday and he responded with 17 points and three steals in 36 minutes. Griffin had the game-winning basket at the buzzer to beat Toronto on Monday. He is averaging 8.4 points.

"He's still working, you know," McMillan said. "They are going at him. Whenever they see a young guy in the lineup, they try to target and I thought he did a good job of just working. He's going to make some mistakes but he has to continue to work and learn to defend. He comes in and plays with a lot of confidence and that's a good thing. We'll figure out where to place him and how to use him."

Atlanta has scored at least 100 points in each of its first 17 games for just the fourth time in franchise history, and in 38 straight, the longest active streak in the NBA. Sacramento had its string of six straight games with at least 120 points broken by Memphis.

--Field Level Media

Copyright 2022 STATS LLC and Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and Associated Press is strictly prohibited.

GAME LINES

SAC Kings Spread +4.5 -111

Total O 241.5 -111

SAC Kings Money Line +160

ATL Hawks Spread -4.5 -111

Total U 241.5 -111

ATL Hawks Money Line -182

pick: sacramonto kings +4.5

ANALYSIS: The Sacramento Kings are on the end of a back to back, but this line is thick for a club that’s won 7 straight games. The Kings are one of the hotter teams in the league, and that includes winning their last 5 games by an average of 14.2 points. The Atlanta Hawks are hit or miss and win at home by an average of just 0.6 points. I’ll gladly grab the free buckets with the Kings.

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Washington Wizards vs Miami Heat Prediction, 11/23/2022 Preview and Pick

 

The Washington Wizards are scheduled to play the Miami Heat at FTX Arena on Wednesday, November 23, 2022. Washington will take the court with a record of 10-7 this year. Miami has a mark of 7-11 for the season. This matchup report includes odds, betting trends and a free pick against the spread.

With Bradley Beal ailing, Wizards set to face Heat

The Washington Wizards have enjoyed a reversal of fortune with six wins in their last seven games, but seeing their star limp off the court is cause for concern.

The Wizards begin a back-to-back series of games at the Miami Heat on Wednesday with Bradley Beal's availability in limbo due to a right quadriceps injury.

"He'll be evaluated and then we will make a determination," Washington coach Wes Unseld Jr. said.

Beal sustained the injury during the final minute of the Wizards' 106-102 victory over the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday. He finished the game with 26 points, one shy of his total in Washington's 107-106 overtime win over an undermanned Miami squad on Friday.

Beal has missed five of his team's 17 games this season due to a stint in health and safety protocol following a positive test for COVID-19. He boasts team-leading averages in points (22.7) and assists (5.8) points while shooting a robust 51.2 percent from the floor.

Kyle Kuzma recorded his fifth double-double of the season after collecting 28 points and 10 rebounds against the Hornets. He had 21 points, eight rebounds and five assists in the previous encounter versus the Heat.

Kristaps Porzingis followed up producing 20 points, a season-high 17 rebounds and five assists against the Heat with an off-night versus Charlotte.

"He's going to have those nights. Hopefully they're far and few between, but he's shot the ball at such an exceptional level, it's almost like he was due for one of those nights," Unseld said of Porzingis, who made just 4 of 19 attempts from the floor on Sunday.

The Wizards overcame Porzingis' off-night to post a 5-1 record on their season-high six-game homestand. Now, the team is embarking on a stretch of 17 of its next 23 games on the road.

"We have some tough road games coming up," Kuzma said, per NBC Sports Washington. "If we want to be a good team in this league, we have to handle business on the road and create opportunity for us."

The Heat have struggled to handle their business on the road this season. They fell to 1-7 away from home following a fruitless four-game trek that concluded with a 105-101 setback to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday.

Kyle Lowry, who scored a team-high 24 points against Washington on Friday, once again led the club with 21 versus Minnesota.

Max Strus had 19 and Bam Adebayo collected 17 points and 14 rebounds for Miami, which played without star Jimmy Butler (knee) for the third straight game as well as Tyler Herro (ankle), Duncan Robinson (ankle) and Gabe Vincent (knee).

On Wednesday afternoon, the Heat ruled out Butler and Robinson as well as Strus (shoulder impingement) and Victor Oladipo (knee) for the game against the Wizards. Herro and Vincent are listed as questionable.

Monday's absences led to extended minutes for the short-handed Heat.

"I'm not saying this as an excuse: The fourth quarter, you know, the guys' legs are probably a little bit dead from this road trip," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. "They've been playing major minutes. That's not to take anything away from the Timberwolves. That's certainly not to make an excuse for anything. Guys are giving everything they have."

--Field Level Media

Copyright 2022 STATS LLC and Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and Associated Press is strictly prohibited.

GAME LINES

WAS Wizards Spread +1.5 -111

Total O 210.5 -111

WAS Wizards Money Line +105

MIA Heat Spread -1.5 -111

Total U 210.5 -111

MIA Heat Money Line -125

pick: under 210.5

ANALYSIS: The total number has gone under in six of Washington’s last nine games, and four of their last five facing Eastern Conference opponents. These clubs play each other the day after Thanksgiving as well, and I would bet both these games go way under.

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