The slate is light for this NBA Thursday, but don't fret. We've still got you covered on NBA best bets today: expert picks for Thursday, November 9. Our experts explain why the Hawks may have a slight edge over the Magic despite both teams getting off to pretty solid starts, plus a Giannis Antetokounmpo player prop that you should get in on.
So we're not going to hold you much longer and we'll straight to what betting moves you should make for Thursday's NBA TV doubleheader.
NBA Best Bets
The team logos in the table below represent each of the matchups that our NBA betting staff is targeting from today's slate of games. Click on the team logos for any of the matchups below to navigate to a specific bet discussed in this article.
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 9:30 p.m. ET | |
  | 7 p.m. ET | |
| 9:30 p.m. ET | |
Specific betting recommendations come from the sportsbook offering preferred odds as of writing. Always shop for the best price using our NBA Odds page, which automatically surfaces the best lines for every game. | ||
Hawks vs. Magic
The Magic look like they’ve taken a real leap this season. They were the young, frisky team last year that over-performed, but ultimately fell short of the playoffs. It’s always a good measure of exceeding expectations when a team consistently beats the line-makers at their own game and the Magic were the fifth best team against the spread last season (45-35-2). That’s continued into this season (5-2 ATS) but they've also had a soft schedule. Per Dunks and Threes, the Magic have had the fifth-easiest schedule through seven games, while Atlanta has been right around league average.
Meanwhile, the Hawks have started their season much stronger than their 2022-23 campaign with notable wins over the Bucks, Timberwolves, Pelicans and Wizards (not as impressive). They started up the season 0-2, losing to the Hornets and Knicks, but since then, Atlanta is 4-1 straight up and 3-2 ATS. I’ll chalk up the Charlotte loss to early-season road rust and jitters. With Wendell Carter Jr. out for the Magic, the Hawks should be able to take advantage of the lack of size in the Orlando front-court. The Hawks rank fifth in Rim Rate (37.2%) and with Carter Jr. out of the lineup the past few days, the Magic are letting opponents shoot 68.9% at the cup, per Cleaning the Glass.
I think this is good opportunity to back the Hawks in a game that is nominally a home game for Orlando, but will take place in Mexico City and should be viewed as an even playing field. I took the Hawks -3 and would take them to -4.5.
Pick: Hawks -3
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Bucks vs. Pacers
By Joe Dellera
The Milwaukee Bucks head to Indiana for the second game of a back to back (aka segababa). One player that should be a bit rested despite the lack of rest is Giannis Antetokounmpo. Giannis was ejected after he received his 2nd technical foul in just 21 minutes last night against the Pistons when he celebrated a dunk.
Giannis should be able to get whatever he wants against an Indiana team that is allowing the highest relative frequency of shots at the rim, per Cleaning the Glass. Additionally, he smashed in this matchup last season with 41, 25, and 38 points in three games. I got 26.5 (-115) but 27.5 is okay too.
Pick: Giannis Antetokounmpo over 26.5 Points
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Hawks vs. Magic
Games in Mexico City don't tend to be that high scoring even given where the league is headed offensively.
But the Atlanta Hawks are top five in offense and pace, and the Orlando Magic, while they haven't been as great offensively yet as I've thought, will come around on that end, as they present a team who is in the top half of pace in the league.
Plus, the Hawks — again — aren't great defensively.
Mexico City's altitude is over 2,000 feet greater than Denver's, so that'll be an adjustment, but I think the teams will push. A second half over, in particular, might also be in order.
Pick: Over 232.5 (-110)
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