NBA Wednesday picks - November 6

Following an off night because of election day, the NBA week resumes with a huge 12-game slate on Wednesday. It is headlined by a doubleheader on ESPN that begins with the Boston Celtics hosting the Golden State Warriors before the Philadelphia 76ers visit the Los Angeles Clippers. Also on the schedule is an intriguing Western Conference showdown between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Denver Nuggets. Let’s take a look at the NBA best bets to make on Wednesday, November 6.

Predictions 

Pick #1: Charlotte Hornets -1 over Detroit Pistons (-112) 

Pick #2: Oklahoma City Thunder -4 over Denver Nuggets (-110) 

Pick #3: Phoenix Suns -5.5 over Miami Heat (-110) 

PICK #1: Hornets -1 over Pistons (-112)

Detroit is one victory away from a three-game winning streak. The last time the Pistons won three in a row was… wait for it… March 31-April 3 of 2022. That’s right; this franchise has played two entire seasons and parts of two others without going on a three-game streak. That could change when Detroit visits Charlotte on Wednesday night.

At the same time, it might not change. Veterans Tim Hardaway Jr. and Tobias Harris are helping to make the Pistons respectable, but overall there still isn’t a whole lot to like about this roster outside of former No. 1 pick Cade Cunningham. The Hornets are nothing special, either, but LaMelo Ball is averaging 28.6 points, 5.7 assists, 4.6 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game. Brandon Miller has two contests under his belt since returning from an injury and should be showing signs for improvement. Charlotte has good value at home in a game that is basically priced as a toss-up. 

PICK #2: Thunder -4 over Nuggets (-110)

The Thunder are 7-0 and quite simply looking like the best team in the NBA heading into Wednesday’s contest in Denver. Their early-season hot streak began against none other than the Nuggets, whom they defeated 102-87 on the road. That was a dominant defensive display by Oklahoma City, which has been the norm so far. Head coach Mark Daigneault’s club has held five of seven opponents to fewer than 100 points.  

As for the Nuggets, they have been unspectacular. The 2022-23 NBA champions are above .500 at 4-3, but two of their wins have come in overtime and the other was a 121-119 thriller over the visiting Toronto Raptors on Monday. Denver’s only convincing victory has come at the expense of the Utah Jazz, who are currently 1-6. Jamal Murray did not play on Monday because of a concussion and he is questionable for this one. Of course, the Thunder won’t fear him either way. In the season opener against OKC, Murray was held to 12 points on a dismal 4-for-13 effort from the field. The Thunder have won four consecutive head-to-head meetings dating back to last season and they should be able to make it five in a row. 

PICK #3: Suns -5.5 over Heat (-110)

The Suns have not quite put it all together – at least not when it matters most – during the Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal era. Early returns indicate that things could be different in 2024-25. Obviously it doesn’t really matter at the moment in the very early stages of the regular season, but we also aren’t worried about the playoffs right now. It’s about if they can cover 5.5 points against the visiting Heat on Wednesday. Based on each team’s respective form, the Suns should be able to get the job done. 

Phoenix is off to a 6-1 start and is on a five-game winning streak. Durant is averaging 27.1 points per game (ppg), while Booker is not too far behind at 24.7 ppg and Beal is contributing 17.2 ppg. Does Miami have enough firepower to keep up? Maybe not. Head coach Erik Spoelstra’s squad is 3-3 and coming off a home loss to the Sacramento Kings on Monday. Kevin Love has not yet played this season and Jaime Jaquez Jr. is questionable with an illness. The Suns appear to be in line for another big win.