Free NBA Picks: Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2016, Opening Line Report and Handicapping

by Alan Matthews - 11/8/2016

So much for Steph Curry's slump. Curry, who surely will go down as the greatest 3-point shooter in league history by the time he retires, had his record streak of 157 straight games with at least one made 3-pointer end in a stunning Golden State loss to the Lakers on Friday as Curry was 0-for-10. No worries. Curry hit an NBA single-game record 13 of them (on 17 attempts) in Monday's win over New Orleans. Curry had been one of three players to hold the previous record of 12 3-pointers in a game, along with Kobe Bryant and Donyell Marshall (??), as Curry made 12 last season on Feb. 27. How different is the modern NBA in terms of 3-point shooting? It took more than 9,000 games after the 3-pointer was introduced for any NBA team to hit 13 3-pointers in a game.

Nets at Knicks (-8.5, 208.5)

First of an ESPN doubleheader. Second of a back-to-back for Brooklyn as on Tuesday it hosted Minnesota but at least then didn't have to travel. New York dropped to 2-4 with Sunday's 114-109 home loss to Utah, and apparently Phil Jackson already isn't happy about the Knicks not using the triangle offense. Carmelo Anthony and Kristaps Porzingis each scored 28 for the Knicks vs. Utah. These teams split four last year, each club sweeping at home.

Key trends: The home team is 5-0 against the spread in the past five meetings. The "over/under" is 4-1 in those past five.

Early lean: Knicks and over.

Celtics at Wizards (TBA)

Boston dropped a second straight Sunday, 123-107 vs. Denver. Isaiah Thomas led Boston by tying his season high with 30 points. The Celtics were missing starters Jae Crowder (sprained left ankle) and Al Horford (concussion protocol), and both are very much in question here. Washington lost to Houston 114-106 on Monday to drop to 1-5. John Wall broke Hall of Fame center Wes Unseld's franchise record for career assists before getting ejected with 33.3 seconds left via a second technical foul. Boston has won four in a row vs. Washington and two consecutive in D.C.

Key trends: The Celtics are 4-0 ATS in the past four meetings. The over is 9-4 in the previous 13.

Early lean: Wizards if both Celtics guys are out again.

Jazz at Hornets (TBA)

Utah won in Philadelphia 109-84 on Monday and is a different team now that Gordon Hayward is back from broken finger. He had 20 points vs. Philly and Derrick Favors 16 points and 14 rebounds. Reigning Western Conference Player of the Week George Hill sat out with a sprained right thumb. Charlotte won a third straight Monday, 122-100 over Indiana. Kemba Walker had 24 points and 10 assists, and the Hornets scored on their first 12 possessions. However, injury-prone Michael Kidd-Gilchrist left with a back injury. He's called day-to-day for now, but if you know anything about MKG he's probably out a while. That's his luck. These teams split last year, each winning at home.

Key trends: The Hornets are 5-2 ATS in their past seven at home. The under is 12-5 in Utah's past 17 after a win.

Early lean: Jazz and under regardless of number or whether Hill and/or MKG play.

Timberwolves at Magic (-2, 199.5)

Minnesota is off a game in Brooklyn on Tuesday. Orlando's three-game winning streak came to a crashing halt on Monday in a 112-80 loss in Chicago. The Magic scored just 28 points after intermission and were 9-for-30 from long range overall. The Magic have won the last five meetings with the Timberwolves, the longest active winning streak against any Orlando opponent.

Key trends: The Wolves are 1-6 ATS in the past seven meetings. The over is 5-1 in the past six in Orlando.

Early lean: Magic and under.

76ers at Pacers (-12.5, 208.5)

Philadelphia dropped to 0-6 with a 109-84 loss to Utah on Monday. Jahlil Okafor led the Sixers with 15 points. The Sixers have now lost 43 straight games in October and November. They last won a game in either of those two months on Nov. 22, 2013, against Milwaukee. Indiana lost by 22 in Charlotte on Monday. C.J. Miles led the Pacers with 23 points, while Al Jefferson had 12 points and nine rebounds in his return to Charlotte. Indiana was 3-0 vs. Philly last year and has won five straight at home in the series.

Key trends: The 76ers are 0-5 ATS in the past five meetings. The over is 4-1 in Indiana's past five.

Early lean: Pacers and over.

Bulls at Hawks (-4, 203.5)

Atlanta was in Cleveland on Tuesday without Kyle Korver (wife gave birth). Chicago ended a three-game skid by trashing Orlando 112-80 on Monday. Jimmy Butler had 20 points and Taj Gibson, who is really off to a nice start, had 16 points and 11 rebounds. The Bulls held the Magic to 23 percent shooting and 28 points in the second half. Atlanta swept last season's series vs. Chicago for the first time since 2008-09.

Key trends: The home team is 4-1 ATS in the past five and the under is 4-1 in those.

Early lean: Hawks and under.

Raptors at Thunder (-3.5, 202)

Toronto was surprised at home 96-91 by Sacramento on Sunday. DeMar DeRozan led the Raptors with 23 points, the first time this season he's been held under 30. Jonas Valanciunas was a late scratch due to a left knee contusion and is questionable. OKC beat Miami 97-85 on Monday. Enes Kanter had 24 points and 10 rebounds, while Russell Westbrook was held to 14 points but added 11 assists while taking the fourth quarter off. These teams split last year, each winning on the road.

Key trends: The Raptors are 5-1 ATS in the past six meetings. The under is 6-0 in the past six in OKC.

Early lean: Thunder and under.

Pistons at Suns (+1.5, 205.5)

Phoenix was in Portland on Tuesday. Detroit lost at the Clippers 114-82 on Monday to start a four-game Western Conference trip. Andre Drummond had 15 points and 13 rebounds to lead Detroit, which shot 37 percent in its worst loss of the year. The Pistons have won three in a row over Phoenix.

Key trends: The Pistons are 4-0 ATS in the past four in Phoenix. The over is 5-2 in Detroit's past seven on the road.

Early lean: Pistons and over.

Rockets at Spurs (-7.5, 210.5)

Second ESPN game. Houston won at Washington 114-106 on Monday. James Harden has been stellar so far and had 32 points and 15 assists -- his fourth straight 30-15 game. San Antonio is off a 116-92 home loss to the Clippers on Saturday, meaning the Spurs already have more losses at home than they did last regular season. San Antonio had not lost consecutive home games since dropping back-to-back triple-overtime games to Memphis (117-116) and Portland (129-119) in December 2014. Pau Gasol had one assist, becoming the third 7-footer in league history with 3,500 in his career. The Spurs were 3-1 against the Rockets last season. San Antonio has won four straight in the series at home.

Key trends: The home team is 9-1 ATS in the past 10 meetings. The over is 4-0 in the previous four in San Antonio.

Early lean: Spurs and over.

Trail Blazers at Clippers (-8.5, 205)

Portland hosted Phoenix on Tuesday. Los Angeles won a third in a row Monday, 114-82 over Detroit. Chris Paul scored 24 points and made five of the Clippers' season-high 13 3-pointers. The team's 6-1 start is its best ever. The Clippers won in Portland in their season opener, 114-106. Blake Griffin had 27 points and 13 rebounds. Damian Lillard had 29 points and 10 rebounds before fouling out. There could be some physical play here as two Blazers were called for flagrant fouls in that game. These teams definitely don't like each other.

Key trends: The Clippers are 8-2 ATS in their past 10 at home. The under is 5-1 in the previous six meetings in L.A.

Early lean: Clippers and under.

Mavericks at Warriors (TBA)

Dallas was at the Lakers on Tuesday with Dirk Nowitzki, Deron Williams and Devin Harris out. Golden State beat New Orleans 116-106 behind a season-high 46 points from Curry. He went 16-for-26 overall from the field in his first 40-point performance after leading the NBA with 13 last season. Klay Thompson had 24 points in one of his better games of the early season. The Warriors have won three straight and 10 of the last 11 regular-season meetings with the Mavericks. Golden State has won seven straight at home in the series.

Key trends: The Mavs are 1-4 ATS in the past five in Oakland. The over is 4-1 in the previous five meetings.

Early lean: Wait on all those Mavs, but this should be a major blowout for the Warriors.

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