After some unfortunate results on Monday, we're looking to get you back in the win column with our NBA best bets for tonight. The slate features a TNT doubleheader in which the Atlanta Hawks face the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers host the Dallas Mavericks. One of those games really piques our interest, so check out our favorite picks to find out what we're taking:
1. Detroit Pistons at Washington Wizards - 7:00 p.m. ET
Over the last two seasons, the Pistons are 41-25 against the spread when facing teams that make 46.0% of their shots or better. Meanwhile, the Wizards are just 7-17 against the spread when facing opponents with losing records this season, with Washington actually losing those games by 3.5 points per game. The Wizards just haven't gotten up for these types of games all year, and they now host a Pistons team that has suddenly found some confidence. Detroit is 3-1 straight-up and 4-0 against the spread in its last four games, and there's no denying which team has more talent in this one. While Bradley Beal and Kristaps Porzingis are out for the Wizards, the Pistons will have Cade Cunningham, Jerami Grant and Saddiq Bey in the lineup. Their record might not be pretty on the eyes, but you can count on Detroit to show up and play a good game tonight.
THE PICK: Pistons +3.5
2. Atlanta Hawks at Boston Celtics - 7:30 p.m. ET
The Celtics are just 5-8 against the spread when playing as home favorites of 6.5 to 12 points this season, and they now host a Hawks team that is 2-1 both straight-up and against the spread in this head-to-head series this season. Atlanta knows what it takes to beat this Boston group — and really could have won their last meeting, where the Celtics pulled away late at TD Garden — and isn't going to be intimidated facing this new-look defense. While Boston is second in the league in defensive rating this year, Atlanta is second in the NBA in offensive rating. This Hawks team can get good shots against anybody in the league, which is why people tend to believe that a great offense is capable of overcoming a great defense. Look for Trae Young's fingerprints to be all over this game, with Atlanta possibly having a chance to steal this win late.
THE PICK: Hawks +6.5
3. Golden State Warriors at Minnesota Timberwolves - 8:00 p.m. ET
It's never easy to win on the second night of a back-to-back — especially when the first night was a road game — but the Timberwolves have to feel pretty good about their chances against the Warriors. Golden State is just 2-5 straight-up and 1-6 against the spread in its last seven games, and the team really hasn't looked great in recent weeks. Sure, the team will always have a chance to win with Steph Curry on the floor, but Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, Andre Iguodala and James Wiseman are all out for this one. Meanwhile, the Timberwolves are playing with confidence and should have an insane home-court advantage here. Look for Karl-Anthony Towns to really dominate with Green out of the lineup for the Warriors, and don't be surprised if this ends up being a big game for D'Angelo Russell. Curry isn't a bad defender, but he'll need to use a lot of his energy to carry this offense. That could leave him looking a bit sluggish on the other end of the floor. Minnesota also happens to be 14-4 against the spread when revenging a road loss versus an opponent this season. The Timberwolves have won those games by an average of 8.1 points per game.
THE PICK: Timberwolves +1.5
