The NBA action is on fire tonight with 11 games to choose from so we’ll be looking at our picks for Nov 20.  Expect the games to run from the monotonous to the challenging as teams continue to figure out what works and what plays need to be scrapped.  A number of injuries in the NBA teams playing are going to force last-minute changes that could make, or break, the game.

Sports Intel Daily Picks Nov 20

Let’s start our Nov 20 picks with a trip to Philadelphia where the 76ers and the New York Knicks are meeting up for the first time this season tonight and the Sixers have the ball in their own court.  Neither team could be called a runaway championship team and they both are looking to get a winning streak going.  Philadelphia is playing with a full squad, but the Knicks are going to have to contend with fighting without Elfrid Payton and, possibly, RJ Barrett.

Adding to the diminished line, the Knicks are 1-6 on the road and 0-3 against Atlantic Division teams.  The Sixers, on the other hand, are 4-0 at home and this, plus a strong bench, gives them an advantage.  Philadelphia takes this one easily.

The San Antonio Spurs are away tonight as they take on the Washington Wizards.  There’s no doubt that there’s a lot of talent on the squad, but six consecutive losses don’t reflect it.  The Spurs will have to step up the defense tonight if they want to win.

There’s a good chance they’ll do it, too.  The Wizards aren’t exactly breaking records with their performance, losing four of their past five, and now have to deal with John Wall and Ian Mahinmi riding the pine.  Jordan McRae may be out, as well, making it even more difficult for the Wizards.  Fortunately, they still have Bradley Beal, who is averaging 30.1 points a game, but the Spurs are going to put pressure on him tonight.  He can’t carry the team by himself and the Spurs are likely to pull ahead to secure the victory in the second of our picks for Nov 20.

The Miami Heat are 9-2 this year and are undefeated at home.  They’re hosting the Cleveland Cavaliers, who might have to play without Kevin Love and Larry Nance, Jr.  Dylan Windler, John Henson and Tristan Thompson are definitely out, which is going to make it difficult for the Cavs to rebound from their four-game losing streak.

The Heat are without Derrick Jones, Jr. and Justise Winslow and Goran Dragic is day-to-day.  However, Miami knows how to read Cleveland – they just played last Thursday as the Heat easily took the Cavs down – and they’re ready for a repeat performance tonight.  The Heat should easily walk all over the Cavaliers.

In what should prove to be one of the more interesting contests, the Denver Nuggets will face off against the Houston Rockets.  A rivalry has been building between these two teams since last season and will most likely continue tonight.  The Rockets are 11-3, while the Nuggets are 9-3, and they both are coming into the game ready to prove their domination.  In the end, there can be only one.

The Nuggets have had a good season, after getting off to a rocky start, but this is due mainly to the teams they’ve had to face.  This certainly won’t be the case tonight, as the Rockets are one of the toughest teams in the league this year.  However, Eric Gordon, Nene Hilario and Gerald Green are all out, weakening Houston slightly.  Only slightly, because the Rockets still have Russell Westbrook and James Harden.  The Nuggets may be the favorite to win, but the Rockets are going to prove to be too much.

So, that’s it for our NBA picks and parlays for Nov 20, good luck with your bets and see you tomorrow.