As the NBA teams reach the 10-game point of the regular season, there are plenty of early surprises. On the positive side, the Detroit Pistons have emerged as a leading NBA betting contender in the Eastern Conference. So, too, have the Milwaukee Bucks shown promise in the early going. On the other hand, the defending Eastern Conference champion Indiana Pacers are in a catastrophic free fall. In the Western Conference, the Denver Nuggets look like a team that is serious about winning another NBA championship. But the LA Clippers are falling from pretender status to being hopeless.
Detroit Pistons
At the beginning of the preseason, futures markets largely ignored the Detroit Pistons. But a strong start is quickly catching the attention of the online betting community. The Pistons are 7-2 straight up and against the spread, making bargain hunters happy in the process. The Pistons lead the Cleveland Cavaliers for the Eastern Conference lead.
Specifically, the Pistons are using a strong defense to cover for an inconsistent offense. Head coach JB Bickerstaff is credited with turning the Cleveland Cavaliers around and is now using that experience to do the same for the Pistons.
On November 10, the Pistons host the Washington Bullets at 7 p.m. ET on Peacock. Certainly, that is a winnable game. On November 12, the Pistons host the Chicago Bulls at 7 p.m. ET. The Bulls have been one of the NBA’s biggest surprises in the early going. And then on November 14, the Pistons host the vastly improved Philadelphia 76ers at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Milwaukee Bucks
At the beginning of the NBA betting season, the Milwaukee Bucks were not a popular choice to make a serious run at the NBA title. The Bucks have gotten good offensive production and rank 8th in the NBA for scoring and 4th for 3-point field goal shooting. However, Milwaukee’s defense is under par, ranking 20th for fewest points allowed.
The Bucks will begin the week with a 2-game road trip starting on November 12, at the Dallas Mavericks. Tipoff time is 8:30 p.m. ET. The Mavs are off to a terrible start, and fans are not in a forgiving mood for the Luka Doncic trade disaster. Next, on November 12, the Bucks travel to Charlotte to take on the Hornets at 7 p.m. ET. The sad sack Hornets have stumbled out of the gate, as usual, making for a good opportunity for the Bucks. Finally, on November 15, the Bucks host the resurgent Los Angeles Lakers at 8 p.m. ET.
Namely, Giannis Antetokounmpo had reached 30 years of age but is still dominating with 33.4 points and 12.9 rebounds per contest. Milwaukee’s marquee man remains committed to staying with the Bucks and finishing his career with the franchise that he credits for having the greatest impact on his life.
Indiana Pacers
How the mighty have fallen. After taking the Oklahoma City Thunder to seven games in the 2025 NBA Finals, the Pacers will be fortunate to make the 2026 NBA Playoffs. Strangely, Indiana lost eight of its first nine games but covered the spread five times, with seven games staying under the total.
Indiana has terrible metrics: 27th in scoring offense and 22nd in fewest points allowed. Correlate that the loss of Bennedict Mathurin, who was averaging 31.0 points per game, is a liability.
Indiana plays the Utah Jazz on November 11, with tipoff at 9 p.m. ET. On November 13, the Phoenix Suns will host the Pacers at 9 p.m. ET. Indiana returns home on November 15, hosting the Toronto Raptors at 7 p.m. ET.
Denver Nuggets
Accordingly, the Denver Nuggets are one of the most impressive teams in the early going with a mark of 7-2 straight up and 6-3 against the spread.
Denver opens the week with a road game against the Sacramento Kings on November 11, at 11 p.m. ET on NBC. On November 12, the LA Clippers host the Nuggets at 10:30 p.m. ET. Finally, on November 15, the Nuggets end the road trip at the Minnesota Timberwolves at 8 p.m. ET.
LA Clippers
Gamblers are furious at the LA Clippers for failing to cover eight of their first nine games while going 3-6 straight up. Of course, Kawhi Leonard remains out of the lineup, continuing his horrible luck as a Clipper.