The first month of the NBA season has come to a close, which means it is time to start looking at betting trends. Three teams have dominated against the spread this season in the Orlando Magic, Brooklyn Nets, and Houston Rockets. While NBA betting sites will be adjusting their lines to cool those hot streaks, there is still a lot of time to make some money on each.
Below, we will break down all three teams to give you everything you need to bet them confidently going forward.
Few teams have been more surprising than the Orlando Magic (12-5). They have the second-best record in the East thanks to a young group of talented players. The team has won seven straight games, including impressive wins against the Nuggets and Celtics. The Magic are currently 14-3 ATS, meaning they are covering 82.4% of their games.
We love this Orlando roster, though we aren’t sold on them being a true player in the East. They have benefited from a very light schedule. They have been led by a trio of Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, and Cole Anthony. The group has been growing in Orlando the last few years, and it seems like they are ready to take the next step. Their bench is deep, and their ceiling is high.
If you are going to bet on the Magic ATS, we suggest doing it this week with the Wizards and Nets on the schedule. After that, The Magic have games against the Cavs, Celtics (twice), Heat, and Bucks. This is a good team and FanDuel Sportsbook has them priced at -192 to make the playoffs but be wary of riding their hot streak as the schedule gets harder.
The Nets (8-8) have been nearly as strong against the spread as the Magic, though it isn’t translating into many wins. They are 12-3-1 ATS, covering 80% of their games. Brooklyn has been getting beat by the conference’s best teams, but they are keeping it closer than many US sportsbooks have been expecting. That makes them a riskier ATS bet than the Magic, but their results speak for themselves.
Brooklyn lacks a true superstar, but they have done a great job building this roster. Cam Thomas and Mikal Bridges are both averaging over 20 points per game, and five others of their teammates are averaging double-digits. Nic Claxton is turning into a fantastic all-around big man down low but is struggling to stay healthy along with the team’s other top rebounder, Ben Simmons.
We’ll see how bookmakers adjust their spreads, but we see the Nets being one of the top teams ATS when the season ends. Their lack of a superstar will hurt them against the league’s top teams, but their ability to score will keep them in a lot of games.
The Rockets (8-6) are a team many expect to take a big step forward this season. They had an impressive six-game win streak to kick off November but followed it by dropping their next three. The team is likely a year or two away from being great but are still playing many of the league’s top teams very tough. They are 10-3-1 against the spread, covering 76.9% of their games.
This roster has a lot of young talent, but Alperen Sengun has been the most promising through the first month of the season. The 21-year-old has taken a big step forward this season, averaging 20.2 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game. His improved play makes him a perfect complement to guards Jalen Green and Fred VanVleet.
The Rockets could be a team that ends up in the top five against the spread this season. They are too young to be great this season, but they will be good enough to keep a lot of games close.
Michael is an avid sports fan and a veteran bettor from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He learned the trade from his grandfather in Las Vegas as a kid. As an adult, Michael started picking games for a small sports betting site and has built it into a career. His experience allows him to provide tips and information to help other bettors improve their game. Michael cheers for all Wisconsin pro teams, the Arizona State Sun Devils (his alma mater), and the Ottawa Senators. He specializes in baseball betting but has extensive experience in football, basketball, and hockey. When he isn’t pouring over stats, he’s spending time with his two young children or hiking and enjoying the outdoors.
