NBA Expert Picks and Best Bets |November 28

It’s another hot night in the NBA and we have some great picks at  Michigan sportsbooks for you to get in on the action. It’s the Hornets and the Knicks, again. LaMelo Ball has been lights out for the Hornets. Can he keep it going at MSG? There’s an Eastern Conference showdown between the Bucks and Heat in South Beach, and a Texas battle between the surprising Rockets and Mavs.

Hornets +11.5 (-108) at FanDuel

Weirdly, this is already the third time this season the Knicks and Hornets have played. The Knicks won by 22 the first time and 18 the next. Jalen Brunson has been playing well for New York, who has won four of their last six.

Charlotte is only 5-10, but has played well lately. LaMelo Ball has been on a tear, averaging 32 points in his last nine games, but he twisted his ankle at the end of the game with the Magic.

Ball is not listed on the Hornets injury report though, and you know how players get when they get a chance to play at MSG. Charlotte also just got back Terry Rozier, who missed three weeks with a groin strain.

I think Charlotte is better than their record shows and, especially if Ball is healthy, covers the FanDuel spread. The Knicks are 8-6-2 against the spread this year.

Over 226.5 points (-110) at DraftKings

This is the marquee game of the night down in South Beach. The Bucks are 12-5, but just 4-4 on the road. Giannis Antetokounmpo has been played out of his mind. Milwaukee was down 26 to Portland Sunday night and came back to win.

Remember, Miami was in the NBA Finals last year after basically playing .500 ball in the regular season. The Heat are 4-1 at home, but have been nicked up by injuries. Bam Adebayo is listed as probable with a hip injury, Jimmy Butler is questionable with an ankle injury. He missed Sunday’s game against Brooklyn.

A lot of unknowns here – even though I always expect NBA stars to play – but I like this over number at DK. The Bucks have averaged 125 points in their last eight games, and the Heat around 108. This number just went up Tuesday morning, so there is something here.

Rockets +4.5 points (-105) BetMGM

I don’t just like this play, I love it.

Houston started the season on a three-game losing streak, then won six in a row, and then lost three again. Now they have won two in a row. Rockets center Alperen Sengun is having a breakout season. He’s averaging just over 20 points.

People have forgotten about the Rockets because they have been bad for a while, but they are climbing back.

Dallas is 106, but has lost two of three. Star Luca Doncic sprained his thumb in a loss to the Clippers. He’s cleared to play, but I don’t think he will be at full speed. The Mavs have won seven of the last eight meetings, but the Rockets are 10-3-1 against the spread this season. Houston getting some points on the road is a great bet.