NBA Best Bets Today: 3 of the best NBA Picks for Friday, November 8

NBA is back, and there are 13 games on the NBA slate! With several marquee matchups ahead, I will provide my best bets for the games today! With that said, I've provided the current slate and odds, courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook.

 (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

NBA FanDuel Slate And Odds For Friday, November 8

• Atlanta Hawks (+102 ML) @ Detroit Pistons (-1): O/U 227.5
• New Orleans Pelicans (+205 ML) @ Orlando Magic (-6): O/U 211.5
• Indiana Pacers (-7) @ Charlotte Hornets (+230 ML): O/U 236
• Golden State Warriors (+142 ML) @ Cleveland Cavaliers (-4): O/U 231
• Milwaukee Bucks (+215 ML) @ New York Knicks (-7): O/Y 223.5
• Brooklyn Nets (+610 ML) @ Boston Celtics (-13): O/U 220.5
• Phoenix Suns (+120 ML) @ Dallas Mavericks (-2.5): O/U 232.5
• Houston Rockets (+290) @ OKC Thunder (-8.5): O/U 222
• Washington Wizards (+245 ML) @ Memphis Grizzlies (-7.5): O/U 231.5
• Miami Heat (+134 ML) @ Denver Nuggets (-3): O/U 220
• Portland Trail Blazers (+530 ML) @ Minnesota Timberwolves (-12.5): O/U 220
• LA Clippers (+216 ML) @ Sacramento Kings (-6.5): O/U 223.5
• Philadelphia 76ers (+245 ML) @ LA Lakers (-7): O/U 224.5*

Now that I've provided the current odds for the Friday NBA games, let's break down my best bets of the night. Including both spread and player prop bets, I've placed all of my picks within FanDuel Sportsbook. Starting off the year hot, I am up over 13 units on the month! Keeping my bank roll management at the forefront, I've placed each bet as a straight wager, with one unit on each play.

Are you looking to bet on the NBA all season long with us? Here at Ballislife Bets, we've gathered a complete list of the best sports betting offers here. 

NBA Best Bets For Friday, November 8

Spread Best Bet #1: Brooklyn Nets vs Boston Celtics

• Brooklyn Nets +13 (-106 FanDuel)

Nets 2024-2025 ATS Record: 6-2

My best bet of the day, I placed one unit on the Brooklyn Nets to cover the +13 underdog spread vs the Boston Celtics tonight. One of the biggest surprises of the NBA season, the Nets have been able to keep up. 4-4 on the season, this is an expected rebuild year for the Nets. However, Brooklyn's been able to stay competitive with a relatively green roster.

Although the NBA is barely underway, the Nets are the current no. 4 seed in the east, and had a recent impressive victory over the Memphis Grizzlies. Fueled by Cam Thomas, the former LSU star has been lights out, averaging career-highs in points (24.9), steals, and assists and free-throw percentage. With a fairly deep, yet young roster, no one expected veteran guard Dennis Schroder to carry this much weight. Shooting nearly 50 % from deep, Schroder's been exceptional, averaging the most points (19.9) since the 2017-2018 season.

As we saw last game vs Memphis, it was Schroder's layup that put the Nets up by two points with 32 seconds remaining. Able to survive Ja Morants athletic 25 point performance was quite impressive.

In addition to Thomas and Schroder, the storyline has involved Cameron Johnson and the pieces around the core four. While this team was once doomed for failure with the past injuries to Ben Simmons, the Nets have youthful talent in Jalen Wilson, Ziaire Williams, and Noah Clowney off the bench.

The Nets Are The Biggest Surprise Of The NBA Season

Overall, the Nets get their toughest test of the night, the Boston Celtics. We know these two teams aren't comparable. That's experience and current talent wise. However, 13 is an extremely large spread for a teams that's 6-2 ATS this season. Not only is a team that knocked off the Grizzlies twice, they defeated the Bucks 115-102. On the road, Thomas's monumental night and fourth quarter surge propelled them to victory.  With Thomas and Schroder combining for 61 points, that was certainly a performance that turned heads.

Through eight games, we've certainly seen the Nets ability to cover larger spread. While 13 is the largest underdog point spread margin they've faced all year, Brooklyn has shown they're more than capable of covering bigger spreads dating back to last season. Covering the +7 vs the Hawks, +8.5 against the Bucks, and +11.5 vs the Grizzlies is pretty impressive. Against the reigning champion Denver Nuggets, the Nets fell just short in overtime. In fact, the Nets had a 17 point lead over the Nuggets until the fourth quarter.

Again, that's truly impressive. Although the Nets won't wow you on offense on a nightly basis, they boast a -0.2 point differential. Compare that to Boston's +11.7. I still believe the 13 point spread is too much.

If you're tailing my best bets tonight, keep in mind, the Celtics are without Jaylen Brown tonight. With Kristaps Porzingis out indefinitely, the Celtics will be thin at the front court. This is largely due to Luke Kornet trending downward on the injury report.  The 2nd worst rebounding team in the NBA, perhaps Nic Claxton and Clowney will have the opportunity to capitalize on the boards and second chance points.

Final NBA Betting Prediction: Brooklyn Nets +13 (-106 FanDuel)

Sure, the Celtics are the most elite team top to bottom in the NBA. Coming off a grueling 118-112 loss vs the Warriors, they've let the Pistons, Hornets, and Pacers all cover large spreads. Without Jaylen Brown, this is a very different team on both sides of the ball. Although the Celtics have one of the most talented rosters in the NBA, look for the Nets to hang around. Boston may historically dominated the Nets and have a 7-1-2 ATS record against them.

The top offensive team in the NBA, the Celtics rely heavily on the trey ball night in and night out. Leading the NBA with 51.2 three-point attempts, they face the Nets, who've been stellar in limiting deep shot. Third in the league allowing 31.9 treys, the Nets don't exactly let opponents splash from three at a high rate. With opponents shooting 35.7 percent from beyond the arc, look for Thomas and Schroder to d-up tonight.

With a 2-2 ATS record as double-digit spread favorites, we know the Celtics have the capability of blowing this game right out of the water. However, based off how hard the Nets have rallied, look for Brooklyn to continue their hot streak of 5-1 ATS as underdog. Lay the points with the Brooklyn Nets tonight.

Spread Best Bet #2: Philadelphia 76ers vs Los Angeles Lakers

• Lakers -7 (-114 FanDuel)

Lakers 2024-2025 ATS Record: 4-4

My second best bet of the night, I placed one unit on the Los Angeles Lakers to cover the -7 favorable spread at home tonight vs the 76ers. I originally took this bet early this morning, before Anthony Davis was confirmed to lace up. Having one of the worst records in the NBA, the 76ers will be without stars Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. Losers of four straight games, I don't expect Philadelphia to turn things around, especially on the road.

Trending in the wrong direction, the 76ers are 2-5 ATS this season, and covered just once in the last five matchups. 2-3 as an underdog ATS, I truly think this spread should be higher. Even with the return of Paul George, the 76ers remain stagnant on the offensive end. With the fourth worst offensive rating in the NBA, the 76ers put up 107 points per game. With that said, they remain one of the least efficient teams beyond the perimeter (32.5 %), and from the floor (43.5 %). I truly don't see an increase of offensive production without their two biggest stars.

Without Maxey, Philly is losing a player who's been averaging a career-high 27.9 points per game. Even putting up 32 points, the 76ers were unable to capture a 105-95 victory over the Pistons on Wednesdays. Often times carrying this team on his back, it took Maxey to pour in 45 points to defeat the Pacers in overtime, 118-114. Even with that, the Pacers had several mental errors and mishaps down the stretch.

Mentioned in my previous article,  the Lakers aren't the same team as the beginning of the season. Under coach JJ Redick, this is a Lakers squad that's completely fallen apart. Dropping two consecutive games, the offensive is minimal outside of LeBron and Anthony Davis, and the defense was abysmal vs the Grizzlies on Wednesday.

Overall, the Lakers are one of the better teams offensively in the league. A team that excels in the paint, the Lakers are one of the most efficient teams in the paint. For that reason, we can look to Anthony Davis. If they want to remain a championship contender, LA must improve defensively. In fact, they boast the third worst defensive rating (118.8) in the NBA.

Final NBA Betting Prediction: Los Angeles Lakers -7 (-114 FanDuel)

By no means are the Lakers automatic winners of the spread tonight. However, now that Davis,Rui Hachimura and Jaxson Hayes are a go, LA possess more talent and depth to cover the spread tonight. While they should dominate on the boards and in the paint, the Lakers have the depth to cover vs the 76ers. Even with Davis dealing with a foot injury, the Lakers have some serious talent with Dalton Knecht, Cam Reddish along their starting five. If Gabe Vincent and Max Christie and D'Angelo Russell can get going, the Lakers could be a scary team. However, it's unclear how much Redick trusts D-Lo.

I fully expect the Lakers to take advantage of scoring inside, especially for a 76ers team that allows over 53 points in the paint. Although the Lakers struggle inside as well, the 76ers have awful rim protection. Even with Drummond replacing Embiid, expect the Lakers  to take care of business down there.

3-0 ATS at home, the Lakers are 2-2 against the spread as favorites. I'm sure the line will move. However, lay the points with the Lakers tonight.  Until Embiid and Maxey make their return, I expect the season to get uglier and uglier for Nick Nurse and company. If LA wants to cover, they must shot more efficiently than last game (44.1 %) and get to the charity stripe. The second leading team in free-throw attempts, the 76ers allowed the fourth most trips to the line per game (28.4).

 Player Prop Best Bet #1: Cade Cunningham

Cade Cunningham 2024-2025 Season Stats

G: 9 | PPG: 22.9 | FG: 47.1 % | FT: 77.4 % | 3PT : 34.6 % | REB: 6.8 | AST: 7.7 | STL: 0.6 | BLK: 0.8

• 25+ Points (-110 FanDuel)

My third best bet of the night, I placed one unit on Pistons guard Cade Cunningham to score 25+ points vs the Atlanta Hawks tonight. Bigger and stronger than ever, Cunningham and the Pistons have vastly improved from last season. Although not playoff contenders just yet, Cunningham has evolved his game in several areas.

Leading the Pistons in scoring, Cunningham is averaging career-highs in points (22.9), minutes (36), field goal attempts, rebounds (6.8), and and assists (7.7). With back-to-back double doubles, it's evident how important Cunningham is to the Piston's offensive scheme. Although he's cooled down a bit in November, the former Cowboy averaged over 25 points in first month of the season.  While he's only scored over 25 points just two times, he has the skill set to do so.

Tonight, Cunningham gets a matchup with an injury riddled Hawks, who remain one of the worst teams on the defensive end. Allowing opponents to pour in a third worst 121.2 points per game, the Hawks allow an NBA worst 40.6 three-point percentage. A weak front court aside from Trae Young, the Hawks simply cannot anyone from the floor.

We know one aspect. Cade Cunningham is an unselfish player. Dishing out 21 dimes in the last two outings, he hasn't totaled 25+ this month. However, he's historically performed very well vs the Hawks, who rank 26th against Guards. In fact, dating back to 2022, he's boasting an average of 28 points per game, and erupted for 43 points vs Atlanta last December. Although not hitting the over in five straight games, let's take a took how Atlanta has bode defensively.

Overall, the Hawks have proven they have a tough time defensively against guards all year. Most recently,

• Derrick White (21)
• Jordan Hawkins (19)
• De'Aaron Fox (31)
• Jordan Poole (24,26)
• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (35)

Are all guards who've had success against the Hawks. In fact, In addition to this player prop line, I love Cade Cunningham to hit over 1.5 three-pointers made as well. As well as he's played, I do believe that line is super low.

Final NBA Betting Prediction: Cade Cunningham 25+ points (-110 FanDuel)

This is a strong best bet for tonight, considering Cunningham is coming off a month high 23 field goal attempts vs Charlotte on Wednesday. Averaging well over 35 minutes per game, the Pistons guard continues to lead the Pistons in field goal attempts. Forming a very strong back court duo with Jaden Ivey, I expect both players to get plenty of looks tonight. Where the stats say no, this is strictly matchup based for me.