The NBA has just four games on the slate for Thursday. We have three games with a tip-off time between 7:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. ET, including the Detroit Pistons and Charlotte Hornets tangling at Spectrum Center in the Queen City on NBA TV.
At 10:30 p.m. ET, the Orlando Magic and Los Angeles Lakers wrap up the evening. We’ll pick the three games from the earlier window and avoid the West Coast battle.
Let’s get that bankroll in the black with our best NBA picks for Thursday, November 21.
Thursday’s Best NBA Picks
NBA odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook | All NBA picks are for 1 unit
Detroit Pistons (-112) at Charlotte Hornets (-108) | O/U 220 (-110/-110)
The Pistons (7-9) and Hornets (5-9) meet at Spectrum Center in Charlotte at 7 p.m. ET. The game is available on NBA TV. The Pistons have won six of the past nine meetings dating back to February 27, 2022, with Detroit also going 6-3 against the spread (ATS) in that span. The under has cashed in seven straight meetings in this series, too.
Detroit has been competitive lately, going 6-4 across its past 10 games, while going 4-1-1 ATS in the past six outings.
However, these teams did meet in Charlotte on November 6 – the Hornets eked out a 108-107 win as a 1.5-point underdog as the under (223) cashed. Miles Bridges went for 27 points and seven rebounds with an 8-of-14 shooting night in that victory. LaMelo Ball contributed 25 points with eight dimes and six boards.
Despite the solid play from the Pistons lately, we’re going to side with the home team straight up, while leaning low on the total. The under is 3-0 in the past three games for the Pistons, while, again, the total has gone low in seven straight in this series, including the first meeting this season.
Picks: Charlotte Hornets Moneyline (-108) & Under 220 Points (-110)
Minnesota Timberwolves (-298) at Toronto Raptors (+240) | O/U 225.5 (-108/-112)
The Timberwolves (8-6) head north of the border to battle the Raptors (3-12). While Minnesota has a winning record, it is just 5-9 ATS. While Toronto has a dismal overall record, it is 10-5 ATS.
Minnesota won 120-117 against the Phoenix Suns last time out on Sunday, but it didn’t cash as a 7.5-point favorite. Minnesota is just 1-4 ATS in its past five games, while the over is 3-1 in the past four outings and 8-3 across the previous 11 outings.
For Toronto, it topped Indiana 130-119 as a 3.5-point underdog as the over (236.5) cashed. That halted a seven-game losing streak. Toronto is 2-0 ATS in the past two games, while also hitting the over in those games.
Minnesota topped Toronto 112-101 as a 14.5-point favorite in the Twin Cities back on October 26 as the under (219) cashed. Let’s side with the Raptors catching the points and go over on the total this time.
Picks: Toronto Raptors +7 (-110) & Over 225.5 Points (-110)
Utah Jazz (+120) at San Antonio Spurs (-142) | O/U 224 (-110/-110)
The Jazz (3-11) take on the Spurs (7-8), who are looking to get back to .500. Utah has dropped three in a row, but it is a respectable 3-1 ATS in the past four games. The over and under have alternated in each of the past six outings.
These teams have met twice already this season. Utah picked up a 111-110 win as 6.5-point underdogs as the under (221.5) cashed at Frost Bank Center on November 9 in San Antonio. In the first meeting, the Spurs crushed the Jazz 106-88 as a 2-point favorite as the under (220) again cashed.
The Spurs have won three of its past five games, although it is just 1-3 ATS in the past four outings. The under has cashed in back-to-back games. That’s what we’ll play in this third installment of the season series.
Picks: San Antonio Spurs -3 (-108) & Under 224 Points (-110)
