Ethical Sports Takes enters Monday, November 9, riding some serious momentum after another impressive night of NBA predictions. We finished Sunday with a 6–1 record, bringing our last three slates to 18–5 and improving our overall season record to 96–48–2.
Now we turn our attention to eight games on Monday’s schedule, with several interesting matchups and some important injury situations to monitor.
The Los Angeles Lakers travel to Atlanta after surviving a tough battle with Detroit, Houston welcomes a Denver team dealing with several injury concerns, and Golden State looks to continue its winning streak against New Orleans.
Let’s get into our eight selections.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Atlanta Hawks
Our Pick: Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers are back in action less than 24 hours after defeating Detroit 121–116, and this won’t be an easy turnaround.
Los Angeles enters Monday at 9–2, having won another difficult game despite Luka Dončić sitting out with back soreness. Austin Reaves stepped up with 43 points against the Pistons, including some huge baskets when Detroit threatened to complete its comeback.
Dončić is listed as out again tonight, meaning the Lakers will need another strong offensive performance from Reaves and their supporting cast.
Atlanta comes into this matchup at 7–4 and has the advantage of playing at home with an extra day of rest. The Hawks have enough offensive talent to make the Lakers work, especially if Los Angeles shows signs of fatigue.
Still, we’ve liked what we’ve seen from the Lakers during their strong opening stretch. They’ve demonstrated that they can find ways to win even when everything isn’t going their way.
Atlanta has a real opportunity to take advantage of the schedule, but we’re sticking with the team that’s been delivering results consistently.
Prediction: Lakers win.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Charlotte Hornets
Our Pick: Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland looks to get back on track after falling 109–97 to New York on Saturday.
The Cavaliers have been inconsistent to begin the season, sitting at 5–5, but this matchup presents a good opportunity to return to winning ways.
Charlotte has lost five consecutive games and continues to struggle offensively. The Hornets are also dealing with significant injuries, with Brandon Miller, Dennis Schröder, Grant Williams, and Kon Knueppel all listed as out.
Cleveland has injury concerns of its own, particularly Jarrett Allen, who is questionable with a knee contusion. His availability could affect the Cavaliers’ interior defense and rebounding.
Even with those concerns, Cleveland has the stronger overall roster and should have enough offensive options to take advantage of Charlotte’s struggles.
The Cavaliers need to start building consistency, and this is the type of game they should be winning.
Prediction: Cavaliers win.
Washington Wizards vs. Detroit Pistons
Our Pick: Detroit Pistons
Detroit returns home after a frustrating 121–116 loss to the Lakers on Sunday.
The Pistons deserve credit for fighting back after falling behind by 24 points in the opening quarter, but their slow start ultimately left them with too much work to do.
Now sitting at 6–3, Detroit has an opportunity to bounce back against a Washington team that has struggled to find consistency.
The Wizards are coming off an ugly 114–75 defeat against Oklahoma City, a game in which their offense simply couldn’t generate enough production.
Washington also has an injury concern involving Anthony Davis, who is questionable with an ankle sprain.
Detroit will be without Jalen Duren, which takes away an important part of its interior presence. However, the Pistons have shown enough defensive strength and offensive balance this season to remain our selection.
Playing on consecutive nights isn’t ideal, but Detroit should be motivated to respond after Sunday’s loss.
We expect a much better opening quarter from the Pistons this time around.
Prediction: Pistons win.
Memphis Grizzlies vs. Toronto Raptors
Our Pick: Toronto Raptors
This is one of the more difficult games to predict on Monday’s schedule.
Memphis enters at 6–3, but the Grizzlies have dropped three consecutive games. Their latest defeat came against Oklahoma City, which dominated Memphis 128–97 on Friday.
Interestingly, Memphis has been much better away from home, winning all four of its road games so far.
Toronto, meanwhile, enters at 5–4 after an impressive 121–107 victory over Milwaukee on Friday.
The Raptors have shown they can compete with good teams, but injuries could make this matchup more complicated. Kawhi Leonard is out, while Scottie Barnes and Immanuel Quickley are both listed as questionable.
Those are important names to monitor before tipoff, particularly Barnes, whose all-around contributions are central to Toronto’s success.
Memphis has enough talent to make this a competitive game, and its road record certainly deserves respect.
However, we’re leaning toward Toronto’s home-court advantage and its ability to move the ball and create scoring opportunities when its offense is functioning well.
This could be close throughout.
Prediction: Raptors win.
Indiana Pacers vs. Dallas Mavericks
Our Pick: Dallas Mavericks
Dallas delivered one of Sunday’s most convincing performances, demolishing Brooklyn 130–93.
The Mavericks were in control throughout the game, scoring at least 30 points in every quarter and showing the offensive balance they’ve been looking for.
Cooper Flagg finished with 25 points as Dallas cruised to victory.
Now the Mavericks return to action against an Indiana team that has struggled to start the season.
The Pacers enter at 3–7 and remain without Tyrese Haliburton, who is dealing with a hamstring injury. Without their primary playmaker, Indiana has struggled to maintain consistent offensive production.
Dallas has some injury concerns of its own, including Dereck Lively II, but its recent performances have been encouraging.
The biggest concern is the quick turnaround after Sunday’s game. Still, Dallas didn’t have to fight through a close finish against Brooklyn, which should help heading into Monday.
We like the Mavericks to build on that impressive performance and secure another victory at home.
Prediction: Mavericks win.
Denver Nuggets vs. Houston Rockets
Our Pick: Houston Rockets
This might be the most intriguing matchup of the night, although Denver’s injury situation could have a major impact on the contest.
Houston enters at 7–3 after suffering a narrow 102–99 defeat against Phoenix on Saturday.
The Rockets have been one of the stronger teams in the Western Conference during the opening weeks, using their size, physicality, and offensive talent to put pressure on opponents.
Denver comes into Monday at 5–3 following a 114–102 victory over Indiana, but the Nuggets have several important players on the injury report.
Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray are both questionable, alongside Aaron Gordon, Cameron Johnson, Christian Braun, and DeMar DeRozan.
That’s an enormous amount of uncertainty for a team preparing to face one of the West’s better opponents.
If Jokić and Murray are available, Denver becomes a much more dangerous opponent. The Nuggets have the talent to challenge Houston when their main rotation is healthy.
However, Houston has the advantage of playing at home and has demonstrated that it can compete with quality opponents.
The Rockets will need to respond after their loss to Phoenix, and we expect them to approach this matchup with plenty of urgency.
We’re backing Houston, although Denver’s final injury report could significantly change how competitive this game becomes.
Prediction: Rockets win.
San Antonio Spurs vs. Phoenix Suns
Our Pick: San Antonio Spurs
San Antonio continues to look like one of the Western Conference’s most impressive teams.
The Spurs enter Monday at 8–2 after defeating Portland 125–103 on Saturday, adding another convincing performance to their strong opening stretch.
Victor Wembanyama remains the centerpiece of San Antonio’s success, giving the Spurs a unique combination of interior defense, rebounding, and offensive versatility.
Phoenix, meanwhile, has shown some encouraging signs despite its 3–5 record.
The Suns defeated Houston 102–99 on Saturday, proving they can compete with strong opposition when their defense holds up.
That result makes this matchup more interesting than the teams’ records might suggest.
San Antonio will be without Tobias Harris, while Devin Vassell is questionable. Phoenix remains without Mark Williams, potentially creating an opportunity for Wembanyama to control the interior.
The Suns deserve credit for their victory over Houston, but we’re not ready to move away from a San Antonio team that has been consistently impressive.
We expect the Spurs’ defensive presence and overall balance to make the difference.
Prediction: Spurs win.
New Orleans Pelicans vs. Golden State Warriors
Our Pick: Golden State Warriors
Golden State enters Monday looking to extend its winning streak after defeating Orlando 126–119 on Saturday.
The Warriors have been finding ways to win, even while dealing with several important absences.
Stephen Curry continues to lead the offense, and Golden State has received valuable contributions throughout its rotation.
However, the Warriors will be without Jimmy Butler, Kristaps Porziņģis, Moses Moody, and Will Richard, leaving their depth under pressure.
New Orleans enters at 4–6 following Sunday’s 139–123 defeat against the Clippers.
The Pelicans scored plenty of points in that game, but their defense struggled badly as Los Angeles ended its seven-game losing streak.
Now New Orleans must travel to San Francisco for the second night of a back-to-back.
That’s a difficult assignment against a Golden State team that has been playing well and will have the benefit of an extra day of rest.
The Pelicans certainly have the offensive talent to keep things interesting, but their defensive struggles and demanding schedule make this a difficult matchup.
We’re backing Curry and the Warriors to keep their winning streak alive.
Prediction: Warriors win.
EST NBA Picks — November 9, 2026
Matchup
Our Selection
Lakers vs. Hawks
Los Angeles Lakers
Cavaliers vs. Hornets
Cleveland Cavaliers
Wizards vs. Pistons
Detroit Pistons
Grizzlies vs. Raptors
Toronto Raptors
Pacers vs. Mavericks
Dallas Mavericks
Nuggets vs. Rockets
Houston Rockets
Spurs vs. Suns
San Antonio Spurs
Pelicans vs. Warriors
Golden State Warriors
Final Thoughts
After going 18–5 across our last three slates, we’re looking to keep the momentum going with another eight selections.
There are some clear opportunities on Monday’s schedule, particularly Cleveland against an injury-hit Charlotte team and Dallas against a struggling Indiana squad.
Other matchups require more caution.
The Lakers face a difficult turnaround in Atlanta without Dončić, Toronto has important injury questions heading into its matchup with Memphis, and Denver’s lengthy injury report could dramatically affect its chances against Houston.
We’re also sticking with San Antonio’s strong early-season form and backing Golden State to continue its winning streak.
Eight games, eight selections. Let’s see if we can put together another strong night.
Stay tuned to Ethical Sports Takes for our NBA picks recap, game coverage, and more analysis throughout the season.
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