Thursday’s NBA schedule is light, featuring five games all tipping off by 8 p.m. ET, including a clash between the Los Angeles Lakers and Toronto Raptors.
Today’s NBA props narrative: In Los Angeles’ only trip up north this season, I’m targeting centre Deandre Ayton to take advantage of some absences and do damage on the glass.
Check out my top NBA prop picks on Ayton, Keyonte George and Jaden McDaniels for Dec. 4.
-> Join NorthStar Bets & start betting on the NBA!
NBA prop picks Dec. 4
Best bet: George over 21.5 points (-125)
In a game featuring two terrible defences, this feels like a slam dunk play.
We’ll likely see a lot of buckets exchanged, and George should be among the primary forces behind that.
The 22-year-old has taken a big scoring leap in his third year, averaging a personal-best 22.8 points per game. That’s an increase of 6.0 points from his sophomore season.
A firm starting role and increased shot volume have helped. So has an aggressive approach to get closer to the rim, leading to both improved efficiency and a career-high number at the line.
George is averaging 7.0 free-throw attempts, a top-15 mark in the NBA, and he’s converting at a near-90% clip.
He’s gone off for some monster games lately, clearing this line six times in his past eight.
-> See full betting markets for Thursday’s NBA slate
- Dec. 1 vs. HOU: 28 points
- Nov. 30 vs. HOU: 0 points
- Nov. 28 vs. SAC: 31 points
- Nov. 24 @ GS: 28 points
- Nov. 23 vs. LAL: 23 points
- Nov. 21 vs. OKC: 20 points
- Nov. 18 @ LAL: 34 points
- Nov. 16 vs. CHI: 33 points
He’s hit the 25-point mark five other times this season.
George hasn’t been strong from long range, but he’s still averaging a pair of triples and will be up against one of the worst perimeter defences in the NBA, giving him some added scoring upside.
Key stat: George has scored 20-plus points in 60% of his games.
Best NBA picks
Ayton over 9.5 rebounds (-138): The Raptors are down their best rebounder, Jakob Poeltl, taking size and a double-double threat off the court tonight.
That leaves Ayton as the clear-cut best rebounder on the floor.
The 7-footer is averaging a career-low 8.6 rebounds, but he’s gotten to this number several times and has a strong track record of securing double digits.
-> Bet on tonight’s Lakers vs. Raptors game in Toronto!
- Since entering the league in 2018-19, Ayton has recorded at least 10.0 rebounds in seven consecutive seasons.
- Ayton has had some big games on the glass recently, topping this number four times in his last seven, including a season-best 16 boards vs. the New Orleans Pelicans on Nov. 16.
Another absence should help him, too. The Lakers are without star Luka Doncic, a strong rebounder who commands a huge usage rate.
Ayton has turned in big production in four games without Doncic this season, averaging 21.0 points and 10.8 rebounds.
NBA player prop predictions
McDaniels over 1.5 threes (+145): McDaniels’ 3-point volume is light, but he’s been ultra-efficient from the perimeter and his Minnesota Timberwolves have a plus matchup.
-> Visit NorthStar Bets for NBA props & futures markets
The Pelicans (3-19) are the worst team in the NBA and get slaughtered from 3-point land. They’re allowing a league-high 15.4 threes/game and are one of three teams giving up 40-plus shots a night from deep.
McDaniels is only averaging 3.5 attempts, but he’s converting at a blistering 47.8% rate.
He played the Pelicans on Tuesday, going a perfect 3-of-3 from long range. He’s drilled at least two triples in 10 of his last 16 games.
NBA prop picks made at 10:55 a.m. ET on Dec. 4, 2025.
-> Sign up to NorthStar Bets today!
Chris joined NorthStar Gaming from Covers.com where he was a publishing editor and wrote betting content. Before that, he was the sports editor at VICE Canada, worked for theScore and covered the Blue Jays for MLB.com. In addition to filling out the lineup card each day for the editorial team, Chris writes frequently himself, primarily on the NBA and MLB.