Each night of the 2026-27 NBA season gives us a new set of games and numbers to dissect. This daily column digs into the best sides and totals across the board, using in-depth basketball analysis, betting trends, and our VSiN NBA betting breakdowns to find value. We’ll also cover these slates non-stop on our live VSiN programming, which is why basketball fans should definitely consider a VSiN Pro subscription. Below you will find some NBA picks and predictions for Monday, November 2.
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NBA Best Bets Today – Monday, November 2
Bulls +11.5 (-110) vs. 76ers
Bulls at 76ers – 7:30 pm ET
Chicago looks like one of the worst teams in basketball, but the team comes into this one covering back-to-back games. The Bulls played the Knicks hard in a 133-127 loss in Chicago, then held them to within 14.5 in a road game against the Celtics. Chicago will now look to hang around against Philadelphia, and it’s hard not to like the team’s chances.
The 76ers may be without Joel Embiid here, as the big man is currently listed as questionable while he deals with plantar fascia soreness in his right foot. Well, either Embiid will be inactive for this one, or the Bulls will make him uncomfortable with their tempo. Chicago is currently No. 1 in the NBA in pace of play (107.0). Philadelphia has shown a willingness to run this year, as that style of play suits Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe. Also, LeBron James’ quick processing and impressive athleticism made him dangerous as a small-ball five, so he enjoyed running with his new teammates. However, without Embiid on the floor, the Sixers will have trouble guarding all of the Bulls’ perimeter options due to the lack of rim protection behind the guards. With Embiid, Chicago’s pace of play becomes a huge nuisance for Philadelphia, as the big man may not be able to physically handle it – and it completely changes the way the team plays. It’s a bit of a catch-22.
I’ll also note that the 76ers are just 13-14 against the spread as home favorites of 6.5 to 12 points under Nick Nurse. They’re also just 4-7 straight-up and 5-6 ATS under Nurse when facing teams that shoot at least 27.0 free throws per game. Well, it’s obviously very early in the season, but the Bulls are No. 1 in the NBA in free throw rate (38.3).
Heat ML (+114) vs. Lakers
Heat at Lakers – 10:00 pm ET
The Lakers pulled their starters in the fourth quarter of last night’s meeting with the Raptors. However, Toronto made a late run that forced JJ Redick to bring back his starting unit. That means 35 minutes for Luka Doncic, 39 for Austin Reaves, and 31 for Walker Kessler. Obviously, it doesn’t matter much early in the season, but it’s still back-to-back for Los Angeles, and this meeting with Miami will be very difficult.
The Heat started the season 0-4, but are 2-0 with an offensive rating of 129.9 over the last two games. Erik Spoelstra isn’t going to sit back and let things get out of hand without making some changes. Well, he made some big changes before Miami’s win over Atlanta two games ago. The Heat are now running a heavy PnR offense, playing like a Giannis Antetokounmpo team. So far so good.
Until tonight, it was hard not to like Miami at plus-money odds. The Heat are playing at a high level offensively right now, so scoring against a mediocre Lakers defense should be relatively easy. Considering Miami is the better team defensively, it’s hard not to view the Heat as the better group.
Added Plays (Late Picks, Parlays, Teasers, Futures)
PARLAY: Pelicans Alt +12.5 vs. Grizzlies & Suns Alt +10.5 vs. Warriors (-116)
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