Ethical Sports Takes returns with seven NBA picks for Sunday, November 8, 2026, following another successful night of predictions.
We finished Saturday with a 5–2 record, bringing our overall season record to 90–47–2 (65.7%). Over our last two slates, we’ve gone 12–4, and we’ll look to extend that momentum into Sunday.
Today’s schedule features an exciting matchup between the Los Angeles Lakers and Detroit Pistons, while Philadelphia looks to bounce back against Chicago. Boston also visits Milwaukee, and New Orleans faces the Clippers in an interesting Western Conference matchup.
Let’s get into our seven selections.
1. Philadelphia 76ers vs. Chicago Bulls
Time: 3:30 PM ET
EST Pick: Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia enters Sunday looking to recover from Friday’s disappointing 119–95 loss against Cleveland.
The 76ers have enjoyed an excellent start to the season, but their offense struggled against the Cavaliers. Tyrese Maxey and LeBron James will need to get Philadelphia back into its usual rhythm, particularly against a Chicago defense that has struggled throughout the opening weeks.
The Bulls enter at 1–7 and have allowed opponents far too many easy scoring opportunities. Chicago’s recent 135–105 loss to New York highlighted just how difficult things have been defensively.
Joel Embiid is listed as probable, which would give Philadelphia another important advantage inside.
We expect the 76ers to respond to Friday’s loss with a much better offensive performance. Chicago has shown little consistency, and Philadelphia has too much talent to overlook in this matchup.
Our pick is Philadelphia.
2. Los Angeles Lakers vs. Detroit Pistons
Time: 6:00 PM ET
EST Pick: Los Angeles Lakers
This might be the most interesting matchup on Sunday’s schedule.
The Lakers enter at 8–2, while Detroit sits at 6–2 following an impressive opening stretch.
Los Angeles has been outstanding offensively, with Luka Dončić leading the charge. However, his questionable injury status due to back tightness is something we’ll be monitoring ahead of tipoff.
Detroit presents a completely different challenge from many of the teams the Lakers have faced. The Pistons have established themselves as one of the league’s strongest defensive teams, using their physicality and defensive pressure to disrupt opponents.
Cade Cunningham will be central to Detroit’s chances, especially with Jalen Duren unavailable.
The Lakers will need to protect the basketball and avoid allowing Detroit to control the tempo. We expect this to be a competitive game, but Los Angeles has enough offensive firepower to overcome the Pistons’ defense if Dončić is available.
This is far from an easy selection, particularly with Detroit playing at home.
We’re taking the Lakers to win a close one.
3. Utah Jazz vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
Time: 7:00 PM ET
EST Pick: Minnesota Timberwolves
Minnesota returns home following Friday’s 115–109 victory over New Orleans, looking to continue its strong start to the season.
The Timberwolves enter at 7–3 and have shown they can win even without Anthony Edwards, who remains sidelined.
Utah, meanwhile, has struggled to find consistency and enters with a 1–8 record.
The Jazz are also dealing with significant injuries, including the absences of Jaren Jackson Jr. and Jusuf Nurkić. Lauri Markkanen is questionable, creating another concern for Utah.
Minnesota will need contributions throughout its rotation without Edwards, but its defensive strength and home-court advantage should help.
We expect the Timberwolves to control the rebounding battle and make life difficult for Utah offensively.
We’re comfortably backing Minnesota.
4. Brooklyn Nets vs. Dallas Mavericks
Time: 7:30 PM ET
EST Pick: Dallas Mavericks
Dallas returns home following Friday’s 112–100 victory over Utah.
The Mavericks have experienced an uneven start to the season, but their recent performances have shown encouraging signs.
Brooklyn enters this matchup following Saturday’s narrow 124–121 loss to Atlanta. The Nets nearly pulled off an impressive victory but couldn’t hold on down the stretch.
Playing on consecutive nights creates an additional challenge for Brooklyn, particularly against a Dallas team that has had an extra day to prepare.
We expect the Mavericks to take advantage of their home court and Brooklyn’s short turnaround.
Dallas will still need to execute offensively, but this is a matchup where we believe the Mavericks should come away with the victory.
Our selection is Dallas.
5. Boston Celtics vs. Milwaukee Bucks
Time: 8:00 PM ET
EST Pick: Boston Celtics
Boston enters Sunday as one of the hottest teams in the Eastern Conference.
The Celtics improved to 7–2 following Friday’s dominant 119–80 victory over Charlotte, while Milwaukee continues to struggle at 1–8.
Jayson Tatum has been outstanding to begin the season, and Boston’s ability to create quality scoring opportunities while maintaining defensive pressure has made the Celtics difficult to beat.
Milwaukee has struggled to find consistency on both ends of the floor. Friday’s 121–107 loss to Toronto was another disappointing result for a team desperately searching for momentum.
The Bucks have the benefit of playing at home, but they’ll need a much stronger defensive effort to contain Boston.
We expect the Celtics to continue their excellent form and take advantage of Milwaukee’s ongoing struggles.
We’re backing Boston to win.
6. New Orleans Pelicans vs. Los Angeles Clippers
Time: 9:00 PM ET
EST Pick: New Orleans Pelicans
This is one of the more difficult games to predict on Sunday’s schedule.
New Orleans enters following Friday’s 115–109 loss to Minnesota, while the Clippers have struggled badly to begin the season.
Los Angeles sits at 1–7, with injuries and inconsistent performances making it difficult to establish any rhythm.
The Pelicans have also experienced their share of problems, but Zion Williamson, Trey Murphy III, and Dejounte Murray give New Orleans several offensive options.
Yves Missi remains unavailable, so New Orleans will need to compensate for his absence inside.
The Clippers still have enough talent to make this competitive, especially at home. However, we believe New Orleans has the better opportunity to generate consistent offense.
Neither team has been particularly convincing, but we’re giving the Pelicans the edge.
Our pick is New Orleans.
7. Miami Heat vs. Sacramento Kings
Time: 9:00 PM ET
EST Pick: Miami Heat
We finish Sunday’s slate with Miami visiting Sacramento.
The Heat have struggled to find consistency this season, entering at 3–6 following Thursday’s 120–100 loss to Golden State.
However, Sacramento has experienced an even more difficult opening stretch, sitting at 1–8.
The Kings have struggled defensively and haven’t been able to establish a reliable offensive rhythm. Miami has experienced similar issues at times, but we believe the Heat are better equipped to respond.
Miami’s defensive organization should give Sacramento problems, particularly if the Kings continue struggling to create efficient scoring opportunities.
The Heat haven’t done enough this season to make this a completely comfortable selection, but this is a matchup they should be capable of winning.
We’re taking Miami to close out Sunday’s predictions.
Final Thoughts
Sunday brings seven opportunities for Ethical Sports Takes to continue its recent success.
Philadelphia, Minnesota, Dallas, and Boston are our strongest selections, while the Lakers’ visit to Detroit presents the biggest test.
We’re also keeping a close eye on New Orleans against the Clippers, where both teams will be looking to turn around disappointing starts.
After going 12–4 across our previous two slates, we’re aiming for a third consecutive winning night.
EST NBA Season Record: 90–47–2 (65.7%)
We’ll return with our full picks recap once Sunday’s games are complete.
Stay tuned to Ethical Sports Takes for more NBA coverage, analysis, and predictions.
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