The NBA Cup is back in action with a full slate of games on Friday night, with a total of nine matchups on the docket scheduled for today, featuring an excellent nationally televised doubleheader on Amazon Prime Video, as Pacers vs Cavaliers takes center stage at 7:00 p.m. ET, followed by Nuggets vs Rockets at 10:00 p.m. ET.
Our staff of basketball betting experts dug into the latest odds and identified six NBA picks for tonight's matchups.
Continue below for our NBA picks, odds, props, and predictions for Friday, November 21.
NBA Picks, Odds, Props, Predictions: Friday, November 21
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 7:30 p.m. | |
  | 7 p.m. | |
  | 9:30 p.m. | |
  | 8 p.m. | |
  | 8:30 p.m. | |
  | 9 p.m. | |
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. | ||
Wizards vs. Raptors
By Joe Dellera
The Raptors actually have a legitimate shot at winning this group, currently boasting a perfect record of 2-0 in group play entering tonight, and they are now tagged as steep 14-point favorites over Washington in this spot.
In a matchup against the Wizards where point differential will start to matter, I could see Toronto giving their guys at least their normal rotation.
Immanuel Quickley has crushed against the Wizards, with an average of 36.8 points + rebounds + assists against them over the past few seasons.
He has also been excellent of late in general, going over this line in six of his last seven games.
The total here is 240.5, and both teams play fast. However, the Wizards are still a clear pace-up spot for Toronto, making this a solid matchup to back Quickley.
Pick: Immanuel Quickley Over 28.5 Points + Rebounds + Assists (-110)
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Pacers vs. Cavaliers
By Bet Labs
This NBA system identifies teams that have struggled against the spread but are poised for short term correction after another poor showing, which appears to be the case for the Cavaliers entering tonight.
When a team has been consistently failing to cover and comes off another game where they fell short of expectations, the betting market tends to overadjust, shading lines too heavily against them.
This creates value for disciplined bettors who recognize that spreads often move more on perception than true performance.
Teams in this range are typically being underestimated, especially as the season progresses beyond the early adjustment phase.
In these spots, motivation to respond is high, public sentiment is low, and pricing inefficiencies emerge that favor the side of teams the market has temporarily abandoned.
Pick: Cavaliers -14 (-110)
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Nuggets vs. Rockets
By Matt Moore
This is a little bit of a smoke and mirrors game.
The Nuggets’ defense isn’t as good as the stats say. The Rockets’ offense is at what may be its absolute peak this season.
However, Denver is more reliant on 3-point variance.
The Rockets attack the Nuggets’ strength as well as any team. The Nuggets attack the Rockets’ strengths well.
But Houston is at home, motivated, and more healthy in this spot.
Both are technically missing expected starters, but Houston hasn’t needed Dorian Finney-Smith all season long, and Christian Braun is out for the Nuggets.
Sengun can spread Jokic out to the 3-point line where he’s uncomfortable and vulnerable defensively.
Kevin Durant doesn’t have anyone who can guard him — not that anyone can.
Denver’s transition offense is mistake-prone right now, which takes easy points off the board.
I’ll take the Rockets -2.5.
Pick: Rockets -2.5 (-110)
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Heat vs. Bulls
By Bet Labs
This NBA system focuses on early season games where two playoff-caliber teams face off and the visiting team is coming off a short streak of low-scoring performances.
In November, offensive rhythm begins to peak for talented rosters while defensive communication often lags, especially during road stretches.
When both teams made the postseason the prior year, matchups tend to feature faster tempo, higher execution, and strong offensive depth.
The visiting team’s recent run of unders sets up a market inefficiency as totals are adjusted too low, yet elite talent and familiarity between quality teams drive scoring efficiency above expectations.
These conditions make early season road matchups between proven playoff teams a favorable setup for overs before lines fully adjust to midseason offensive form.
Pick: Over 249.5 (-110)
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Pelicans vs. Mavericks
By Bet Labs
This NBA system identifies early season road underdogs that missed the playoffs the prior year but are undervalued by the market.
These teams often enter the new season with renewed energy and improved rosters, yet are still priced as if they remain bottom tier.
Facing opponents who are often overvalued due to past success or inflated perception, these road teams can catch bettors off guard with stronger-than-expected performances.
The early portion of the season amplifies this opportunity, as motivation and effort levels are high while oddsmakers rely too heavily on last season’s data.
When priced within a reasonable moneyline range and coming off competitive or modest losses, these teams frequently play with urgency and confidence, producing profitable upset potential before the market adjusts.
Pick: Pelicans Moneyline (+140)
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Timberwolves vs. Suns
By Bet Labs
Our NBA "Home Rebounds Trends" system is built on the idea that strong home teams with consistent rebounding form and stable scoring patterns tend to deliver reliable spread performances when the market prices them within a reasonable moneyline range.
By focusing on home teams with solid ATS results in their own building, a sustained run of strong offensive rebounding across five games, and a recent scoring trend that sits just above league norms without being inflated, the system targets teams whose advantages are real rather than driven by short bursts of variance.
Limiting the sample to regular season games ensures predictable motivation and rotation patterns, while requiring the team to be at home captures the benefits of familiarity, rest structure, and crowd support.
When these factors align and the moneyline range stays between -130 and -250, the favorite tends to be priced fairly and capable of controlling the game, through rebounding and steady offense, creating a profitable long term position.
Pick: Suns +3.5 (-110)
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