TST Best Bets: November 9, 2026
Nick Wire
Host · Writer
The Los Angeles Lakers play the bak end of a back-to-back this afternoon against the Atlanta Hawks. Last night, the Lakers won in Detroit against the Detroit Pistons.
Without star point guard Luka Dončić, the Lakers got most of their offensive production from Austin Reaves. The Lakers' shooting guard took the primary ball handling responsibility and elevated his team to the tune of 43 points, four assists, and five rebounds.
Reaves even acknowledged after the game that luck was partially on his side – knocking down jumpers from behind the backboard and three-point bank shots while fading away at the wing.
Walker Kessler had 12 points, 16 rebounds and three blocks, anchoring the point while Detroit was missing Jalen Duren.
The Lakers also got major production off the bench from Ziaire Williams and Collin Sexton. Both Sexton and Williams had 17 points and went at-least 50% from the field.
Dončić is expected to make his return tonight after dealing with some back soreness. However, the Lakers listed Reaves as questionable tonight with an illness.
First Pick: Luka Dončić over 36.5 points
Rundown: Taking the over on 36.5 points for one player in a game is absurd – for everyone but Dončić. With Reaves potentially missing tonight's game, or at least being affected by the illness, Dončić will have to take on another major offensive role. Atlanta is a pretty good defensive team – they rank 12th in defensive efficiency. However, Dončić is averaging 40.1 points per game this season. He's scored at-least 37 points in his last seven games. Dončić scored 27 and 22 in his last two games against the Hawks last season – but he's the engine of a completely different roster this season.
Second Pick: Walker Kessler over 10.5 rebounds
Rundown: Kessler dominated the boards last night and has been especially good on the offensive glass. The Hawks rank 18th in defensive rebound percentage – so Kessler has an opportunity to control the boards tonight. The Hawks rank 11th in the league in offensive rebound percentage – which is a slight tick better than the Lakers. Kessler has averaged 13.2 rebounds per game over his last five games.
