Best NBA Bets Today: Spread Picks and Player Props for Monday’s Games

The Golden State Warriors and Minnesota Timberwolves were supposed to have a day off between their two meetings. But a Saturday postponement due to a shooting death involving federal immigration officers in Minneapolis turned the set into a Sunday–Monday back-to-back.

The Timberwolves didn’t appear all that enthusiastic in the second half of Sunday’s 26-point loss, so it will be interesting to see what type of energy they bring to the rematch. Then again, you have to wonder if shorthanded Golden State sits some veterans or reduces their minutes due to playing on consecutive days.

The Chicago Bulls are suddenly hot as they look to take down the Los Angeles Lakers. Donovan Mitchell’s All-Star starting snub hangs in the air as the Cleveland Cavaliers face the Orlando Magic for the second straight game.

MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES AT HOUSTON ROCKETS

Stephen Curry had 26 points in 27-plus minutes in Sunday’s 111–85 romp and the chances of him playing appear good, as he did play both ends of a back-to-back on Jan. 19–20. Golden State also is playing well with seven wins in its past 10 games, and continuing that momentum would be welcome.

The Warriors recently lost Jimmy Butler to a season-ending knee injury, and Jonathan Kuminga (knee) is sidelined as well, so somebody else needs to give Curry a hand. The reeling Timberwolves have dropped five straight games and scored their fewest points of the season in Sunday’s loss.

Anthony Edwards had 32 points and 11 rebounds and has tallied 30 or more points in six of his past 11 games, including a career-best 55-point outing against the San Antonio Spurs on Jan. 17. It’s hard to see the Minnesota skid reach six games, and the club should be motivated to bounce back from Sunday’s dreary showing.

Pick: Minnesota Timberwolves -7.5 to cover the spread, -115 (DraftKings)

LOS ANGELES LAKERS AT CHICAGO BULLS

The Bulls are taking aim at their third five-game winning streak of the season and are riding high after Saturday’s 114–111 home win over the Boston Celtics. Kevin Huerter drained the decisive 3-pointer with 0.2 seconds remaining as Chicago continued its recent run, which includes a 138–110 wipeout of the red-hot Los Angeles Clippers.

Coby White has scored 22 or more points in all four games of the winning streak and is an impressive 21-of-40 from 3-point range during the stretch. The Lakers hope they are finding their stride with three wins in four games following a span in which they lost nine of 14.

Luka Dončić has scored 30 or more points in nine of 12 games this month, while LeBron James’ high output over the past five games is 24. Los Angeles is playing the fourth contest of an eight-game road trip, and this could be the time when fatigue sets in.

Pick: Chicago Bulls +1.5 to cover the spread, -108 (DraftKings)

ORLANDO MAGIC AT CLEVELAND CAVALIERS

Donovan Mitchell will surely be going to his seventh straight All-Star Game, but he was recently bypassed for a starting spot despite averaging a career-best 29.1 points per game. Bad timing for the Magic, as they face Mitchell for the second straight game after he torched them for 36 points — 27 in the second half — in Cleveland’s 119–105 win in Orlando on Saturday.

Mitchell has made an Eastern Conference-leading 162 3-pointers and has helped the Cavaliers win five of their past six games. Orlando has dropped three straight entering a stretch in which four of five games are on the road. The Magic have lost four straight just once all season.

Paolo Banchero has scored 23 or more points in four of the past five games and will carry the offense again with fellow star Franz Wagner (ankle) sidelined. Desmond Bane has scored 15 or fewer points five times this month — and the Magic need his 31-point form from Jan. 4 against the Indiana Pacers.

Pick: Donovan Mitchell to score 30 or more points, -104 (DraftKings)