NBA Best Bet Picks November 5: Magic, Warriors Predictions

Only two games take place in the NBA on Thursday night, both involving Eastern Conference teams traveling to face Western Conference opponents.

The Phoenix Suns play with no rest tonight after dropping their fourth straight game on Wednesday to Portland, 132-119. The Suns welcome in the Orlando Magic, who embark on a four-game road swing.

In San Francisco, the Miami Heat look to capitalize off last night’s incredible comeback victory over the Clippers. The Heat head to the Bay Area to face the Golden State Warriors, who have won five straight games since an 0-3 start.

We’ll break down two plays for the Thursday action. Remember to monitor the odds throughout the day, as the props, sides, and totals market are constantly changing.

Here are the free NBA picks for Thursday, November 5.

Best NBA plays today

• Magic (+1.5) at Suns
• Warriors (-7.5) vs. Heat

Magic (+1.5) at Suns

Orlando (2-5) has stumbled out of the gate, capped off by consecutive home losses to Boston and Washington. It hasn’t helped that the Magic are without their top scorer Paolo Banchero, who is sidelined with an ankle sprain.

Interestingly enough, the Magic were 0-2 with Banchero in the lineup and are 2-3 without the former Duke star. Both victories came on the road at New York and Toronto as an underdog of 5.5 points or more.

The Suns (1-5) have yet to cover the spread in six games, as their lone win came over a Golden State squad who played without Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. Phoenix’s starting backcourt of Devin Booker and Jalen Green combined to score 55 points in last night’s 132-119 home defeat to Portland.

Phoenix is allowing the second-most points per game (124.3) and the second-highest 3-point percentage (40.3%).

Orlando was held to nine points in the third quarter of Monday’s home loss to Washington, while making only nine free throws.

Let’s back Orlando here against this unrested Phoenix squad as a short underdog.

Warriors (-7.5) vs. Heat

The Heat (3-5) overcame a 20-point deficit to edge the Clippers in overtime last night, 117-116. Miami bounced back from a 21-point defeat to the Lakers on Monday, but may be without its top player tonight.

F Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 27 points and grabbed 14 rebounds in Wednesday’s win, but is dealing with a right wrist injury, so we’ll see if he sits out on the second end of this back-to-back.

Golden State (5-3) is riding a five-game winning streak, including each of the past three victories at Chase Center. The Warriors are sitting in their highest favorite spot of the season, while Stephen Curry scored 34 points in Monday’s 116-113 home triumph over Phoenix.

Miami is allowing the fourth-most points per game (122.9), while Golden State is second in the league in 3-point shooting, converting 38.9% from deep.

The Heat may be cautious with Giannis tonight, so let’s back the Warriors here to keep their winning streak going.