There's another great selection of NBA action on Tuesday, with an eight-game slate offering plenty of angles for bettors. The early window is dominated by Eastern Conference clashes, including a massive divisional battle between the Milwaukee Bucks and Cleveland Cavaliers and a classic rivalry as the New York Knicks visit the Miami Heat. These matchups, along with compelling inter-conference games, provide ample betting value. As always, we bring you our three best bets and prop bets for the day below!
NBA Betting Tips: Tuesday, November 18th 2025
Milwaukee Bucks at Cleveland Cavaliers (11:00am AEDT)
This massive Central Division rivalry game features two Eastern Conference contenders in a high-stakes, star-studded match-up. The Milwaukee Bucks (8-6) boast one of the league's most efficient offences, currently averaging 118.4 points per game behind the league's second-leading scorer, Giannis Antetokounmpo (32.6 PPG). The Cavaliers (9-5), however, have been a difficult hurdle for the Bucks, winning their last six head-to-head matchups, including a 118-113 victory earlier this season. Cleveland has been stout defensively at home, but with key injuries (Darius Garland, Max Strus), they rely heavily on the explosive scoring of Donovan Mitchell (30.4 PPG) to keep pace with Milwaukee's star power.
Both teams lean on their offensive engines and possess top-10 pace of play metrics. Given the Cavaliers' injury concerns and the Bucks' relentless scoring, the emphasis will be on star performance and high-volume shot-making. This is expected to be a fast, high-scoring affair that comfortably pushes past the projected total, mirroring their previous meeting this season.
Our primary betting advice is backing the Total Points Over 236.5. Both teams rank in the top half of the league in scoring, and with a history of high-octane battles, the pace and star-driven shot volume should easily see the combined score eclipse this line.
In terms of a player prop bet, look to the Bucks' star, Giannis Antetokounmpo, to hit the Over on his Points + Rebounds + Assists (PRA) prop, currently set around 49.5. Giannis is averaging 51 PRA for the season and recorded a 40 point game against the Cavaliers earlier this year. With this being a pivotal division game and a back-and-forth contest expected, he will shoulder the offensive load and dominate multiple statistical categories.
Player Prop: G. Antetokounmpo Over 49.5 PRA $1.88 (1 Unit) Dabble
Over 236.5 Points
$1.90 (2 Units)
New York Knicks at Miami Heat (11:30am AEDT)
This encounter reignites one of the fiercest rivalries in the Eastern Conference, with the New York Knicks (8-4) travelling to face the Miami Heat (7-6). This is the third meeting between the two sides this season, with the series currently tied 1-1, and both games being high-scoring affairs, including a 140-132 Knicks win recently.
The injury situation is crucial for this match-up. The Knicks are reeling from injuries to star guard Jalen Brunson (ankle sprain) and wing OG Anunoby (hamstring), forcing others such as Karl-Anthony Towns (who has been excellent) and Mikal Bridges to shoulder a significant scoring and playmaking burden. The Heat are also dealing with key absences, most notably Bam Adebayo (foot) and Tyler Herro (ankle), which has put an immense responsibility on Norman Powell and Jaime Jaquez Jr.
Despite the absences, both teams have shown an ability to score freely—especially Miami, who boast one of the league's quickest paces of play. The total point line for this contest is set high, which is no surprise given the recent history and the shoot-out nature of their previous games this season. With New York's offence clicking and Miami's aggressive pace, we expect a high-tempo game where both clubs rack up the points.
Our advice here is to back the Total Points Over 241.5. These teams have averaged a combined 247.4 points in their head-to-head matchups this season, and the pace and offensive focus should see them clear this mark, even with the key players missing.
In the player markets, look to the Heat's stand-in star, Norman Powell, to hit the Over on his Points prop. Powell has been superb in the absence of Herro and Adebayo, averaging over 26 points per game and delivering big scoring nights, including a 29-point effort against the Knicks earlier this season. He will be the primary scoring focus for the home side.
Player Prop: N. Powell Over 26.5 Points $1.96 (1 Unit)
Over 241.5 Points
$1.90 (1 Unit)
Chicago Bulls at Denver Nuggets (1:00pm AEDT)
This cross-conference clash features the struggling Chicago Bulls (6-6) travelling to Ball Arena to take on the dominant Denver Nuggets (10-2). The Nuggets are on a sublime run, winning their last five games and boasting a perfect 6-0 record at home. Their offence is being orchestrated by former MVP, Nikola Jokić, who is playing at an historically efficient level, averaging close to a 29/13/11 triple-double with extraordinary shooting percentages.
The Bulls, meanwhile, are coming off a gruelling double-overtime loss to the Jazz and are generally poor on the road, holding a 1-5 away record straight-up. They are also 0-4 against the spread (ATS) in their last four matchups. While the Bulls have some offensive talent, their defence will struggle immensely to contain Jokić and the Nuggets' free-flowing, high-altitude offence (Denver scores 124.4 PPG). The market has recognised this disparity, placing a large spread on the game.
Given the Bulls' recent form, their tendency to fade on the road, and the sheer dominance of the Nuggets at home (they have covered the spread in their last six home games), expect the Nuggets to control the entire game and win by a considerable margin.
Our primary betting advice is confidently backing the Denver Nuggets to Cover the Spread (-13.5). The altitude, Jokić's current MVP-level form, and the Bulls' exhaustion from their recent schedule make this a perfect storm for a Denver blowout win.
For a strong individual wager, look to the Nuggets' star, Nikola Jokić, to hit the Over on his Assists prop. Jokić is currently leading the league in assists (10.9 APG) and, against a Bulls defence that is often slow to rotate, he will feast on finding open shooters and cutters, particularly in a game where Denver is expected to rack up a high centre of scoring.
Player Prop: N. Jokic Over 10.5 Assists $2.05 (1 Unit)
Denver Nuggets –13.5
$1.90 (1.5 Units)
