Best Sports Betting Picks Today: NBA, NHL, College Basketball Predictions for November 20

Kevin Durant remains out with a strained left calf, and the Phoenix Suns appear borderline dysfunctional without him. The Suns are 1-5 since Durant's injury and now face a tough test from the visiting New York Knicks on Wednesday night.

Alabama coach Nate Oats says he likes playing road games at tough venues -- like last week's visit to Purdue -- so he can learn more about his squad. He couldn't have liked the fact the Boilermakers operated at will in the interior and were easily the better team late in the game.

The San Jose Sharks are a sparkling 6-3-2 since their horrendous 0-7-2 start. They visit the Dallas Stars, who have won 11 of 17 games so far this season.

While Durant applies Tiger Balm to that calf, we will study the Suns-Knicks game as well as NHL and college hoops contests.

NEW YORK KNICKS AT PHOENIX SUNS

New York has won its last three games as it begins a five-game road trip in Phoenix. The Knicks are faring well with star Jalen Brunson mixing very easily with newcomer Karl-Anthony Towns.

And how about the ball sharing in Monday's 134-116 home win over the Washington Wizards? Try a stunning 37 assists against just eight turnovers. Even stern coach Tom Thibodeau said "the unselfishness was terrific," but we're still having a hard time picturing him smiling.

It's quite stunning how inept the Suns have been since Durant went down, as three of the five losses have been by double digits. Bradley Beal (calf) and Jusuf Nurkic (ankle) have also missed time and Beal will be absent against New York while Nurkic is questionable.

Devin Booker has struggled in three of the past four games but had 44 points in the other one. Even if the real 'Book' shows up, these Suns are not in a good place and won't even cover at home.

Knicks -6 spread, -108 (DraftKings)

ILLINOIS FIGHTING ILLINI VS. ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE

Alabama plays a second consecutive Big Ten program after falling 87-78 at Purdue for its first loss of the season. This contest is being played at Birmingham, a neutral court that will feature a pro-Crimson Tide environment.

The No. 8 Crimson Tide are waiting on All-American guard Mark Sears to erupt. The player that scored 20 or more points on 26 occasions last season has hit the mark just once this season.

No. 25 Illinois moved into the rankings after victories by 45, 32 and 12 points. The 66-54 home win over Oakland wasn't all that artistic, as the Illini committed 18 turnovers and made 7 of 25 from 3-point range.

Illinois might put up a good fight most of the contest, but Alabama should separate about midway through the second half. Expect it to be a night of "Roll Tide," with Alabama motivated to rebound from the loss to Purdue.

Alabama -8 spread, -110 (DraftKings)

SAN JOSE SHARKS AT DALLAS STARS

One of the Sharks' best efforts in the nine-game winless start was a 3-2 overtime setback at Dallas on Oct. 15. That outing becomes more impressive when you consider San Jose was outscored 39-18 during the nine-game stretch.

The Sharks won five of seven games following the span but then lost three in a row before posting a 5-4 home overtime win over the Detroit Red Wings on Monday. Macklin Celebrini, the 18-year-old phenom who was the No. 1 overall choice in the 2024 draft, scored the winner 46 seconds into overtime, and he has four goals in eight contests this season.

Dallas had won three straight games before a lethargic 4-2 home loss against the Anaheim Ducks on Monday. The Stars trailed 3-0 until finally getting their first goal with 7:52 left, and Anaheim thwarted their charge.

The Stars should bounce back strongly and approach the levels of recent back-to-back wins of 7-1 over the Pittsburgh Penguins and 7-2 against the Boston Bruins. Jake Oettinger will be back in goal to help ensure Dallas rolls.

Stars to win by 4 goals, +400 (DraftKings)