Chris Toman

Tonight’s schedule is light, featuring two NBA Cup quarterfinal games on Dec. 9.

Today’s NBA props narrative: The Miami Heat kick things off vs. the Orlando Magic, while the Toronto Raptors host the New York Knicks. Tuesday’s winners will collide in Saturday’s NBA Cup semifinal.

Check out my top NBA prop picks for the action, featuring predictions on Desmond Bane, Sandro Mamukelashvili and Scottie Barnes.

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NBA prop picks: Dec. 9

Best bet: Bane under 22.5 points (-117)

These teams are fifth and sixth in the NBA in defensive rating. They played on Friday and combined for 211 points.

This game has extra meaning, as each player of the NBA Cup-winning team will earn more than $500,000. As such, I expect both teams to bring it defensively.

Paolo Banchero has been eased back after missing nearly a month, but he’ll command a lot of possessions if his workload is ready for an uptick after playing twice in the past five days. 

Bane has gone under this number in three straight, including Friday’s win over Miami. He was held to five points on 2-of-16 shooting from the field. 

-> See full betting markets for tonight’s NBA Cup games!

The Magic guard is unlikely to shoot that poorly again, but he’s been inefficient outside of the line.

• Bane is putting up career-worst numbers from the field (43.9%) and 3-point land (32.5%). 

• Miami has been a tough team to exploit from deep. The Heat are holding opponents to the second-lowest 3-point percentage in the NBA.

Franz Wagner’s ankle injury should give Bane more offensive responsibility, but Banchero’s return offsets that to some degree. 

Key stat: In 14 games with Banchero, Bane has averaged 14.8 points (per StatMuse).

Best NBA picks

Mamukelashvili over 4.5 rebounds (-113): The first-year Raptor has been making a modest impact that could lead to more playing time.

Mamukelashvili got the start for Jakob Poeltl on Dec. 4 — the first leg of a back-to-back — and delivered with 13 points and eight rebounds over a season-high 37 minutes.

-> Tonight: Knicks vs. Raptors in the NBA Cup quarterfinal. Bet now!

He was back to the bench and quiet on the second leg, but is coming off another strong performance.

Mamukelashvili logged 23 minutes in a reserve role Sunday, scoring 14 points and grabbing six rebounds.

• The 26-year-old has cleared this line in four of his last five games, including a Nov. 30 contest vs. the Knicks (seven boards).

• He’s 10-9 vs. this line since going 0-for-5 to start the season.

Poeltl hasn’t cracked the 30-minute mark once this month, opening up some extra minutes for Toronto’s reserves like Mamukelashvili.

NBA player prop predictions

Barnes over 35.5 PRA (-121): Barnes has put up 35-plus PRA in six of eight games without RJ Barrett, who’s sidelined again tonight. 

-> Bet on Scottie Barnes & the Raptors on Tuesday night

He did fall short when these teams played last month, but Barnes topped this number three of four times since. 

Over those four games, Barnes is averaging 35.8 PRA. 

• He’s recorded double-digit rebounds 12 times this season and has scoring upside without Barrett in the lineup. 

• Brandon Ingram is Toronto’s No. 1 option, but he’s only led the Raptors in scoring in nine of the team’s 25 games. 

• Averaging 7.3 assists in December, Barnes is capable of a 20-and-10 showing and blowing past this line.

NBA prop picks made at 10:30 a.m. ET on Dec. 9, 2025.

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Anthony Davis is the headline-grabbing name for today’s NBA prop picks, but I also have two others I’m targeting in Friday’s loaded slate.

Today’s NBA props narrative: There are 12 games on tap, and Jakob Poeltl and Amen Thompson round out my prop selections. Thompson has been on a tear, and I expect Poeltl to make the most of a back-to-back situation.

Check out my plays in the best NBA prop picks for Dec. 5.

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NBA prop picks Dec. 5

Best bet: Poeltl 20+ points/rebounds (-120)

Poeltl sat out the first leg of Toronto’s back-to-back, a difficult 123-120 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers that ended at the buzzer. 

The Charlotte Hornets have the rest advantage and have played the Raptors well on two occasions this season (a two-point loss and an overtime win). Toronto will need energy, and I’m looking toward the unselfish Poeltl for that. 

Poeltl is a low-maintenance big man who isn’t afraid to muck it up on the glass. And he can get buckets without having his number called repeatedly. 

I expect him to be grinding down low, which should help him produce in both of these categories against a good rebounding team that’s allowing the fifth-most points in the paint.

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The 7-footer is averaging a team-best 8.3 rebounds and has scored in double figures in half his games. Poeltl scores close to the basket, converting at a career-best 72.7% clip from the field.

He’s performed well in both games vs. Charlotte, logging more than 30 minutes in each outing.

• Nov. 29: 8 points, 11 rebounds 
• Nov. 17: 13 points, 9 rebounds

Key stat: Poeltl is 8-8 vs. this milestone through 16 games.

Best NBA picks

Davis 35+ points/rebounds (+128): A date with the 21-1 Oklahoma City Thunder, who have the NBA’s No. 1 defence and are on a 13-game winning streak, isn’t the most appealing matchup.

But I’d be more worried about the Thunder making life difficult for Dallas Mavericks rookies Ryan Nembhard and Cooper Flagg, who’s on a heater.  

The 32-year-old Davis is turning in the type of season we’re used to. He’s been a force when on the court, but injuries have already cost him 15 games.

-> Bet on Mavericks vs. Thunder!

Here’s a breakdown of the eight games he has played:

• Davis hit this number in four straight to start the season, including vs. the Thunder when he went off for 26 points and 11 rebounds. 

• He left his fifth game of the season after seven minutes, was out one month, and then limited offensively in his first game back (a season-low 10 shots in 28 minutes). 

• Over his last two games, Davis has gone off for 32 points and 13 rebounds vs. the Denver Nuggets and put together a 17-and-17 showing against the Miami Heat. 

Davis has averaged more than 35 points/rebounds in each of his last four seasons.

NBA player prop predictions

Thompson over 7.5 rebounds (+102): The third-year Houston Rockets guard has filled up the stat sheet and been a beast on the boards.

Thompson averaged 8.2 rebounds a season ago but started the year by recording exactly four boards in three straight games.

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Since then, he’s topped this line in 10 of 16 contests ahead of tonight’s match vs. the Phoenix Suns.

• A downtick in rebounds could perhaps be expected with a position change to point guard, replacing the injured Fred VanVleet. But Thompson is slowly catching up to last season’s total.

• He’s at 7.3 rebounds/game. Thompson has cleared this line in four straight, putting up season highs of 12 and 14 rebounds over that stretch.

• The 22-year-old has corralled at least seven rebounds in eight consecutive games, including two weeks ago against the Suns when he dropped 28 points sans Kevin Durant in the lineup.

NBA prop picks made at 11:30 a.m. ET on Dec. 5, 2025.

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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.

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NBA prop picks Dec. 4

Best bet: George over 20.5 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.

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• 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 (-118): 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 (+138): McDaniels’ 3-point volume is light, but he’s been ultra-efficient from the perimeter and his Minnesota Timberwolves have a plus matchup.

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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.

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It’s a light Tuesday NBA slate, but I have three players I’m targeting on the prop market tonight.

Today’s NBA props narrative: Ajay Mitchell has been a big contributor off the Oklahoma City Thunder bench, and I like him to keep his scoring up in a game with blowout potential vs. the Steph Curry-less Golden State Warriors.

Check out my top NBA prop picks for Dec. 2, featuring predictions on San Antonio Spurs guards Devin Vassell and Dylan Harper.

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NBA prop picks Dec. 2

Best bet: Harper over 11.5 points (-105)

The No. 2 overall pick has been limited to nine games, all off the bench. 

Harper’s per-game numbers might look underwhelming (13.2 points, 3.0 rebounds, 3.1 assists), but he’s only averaging 21.3 minutes a night. 

On a per-36-minute basis, he’s averaging an excellent 22.2 points, and more than five rebounds and assists. Harper is also shooting well from the field (50.5%).

He can provide the Spurs with a scoring jolt off the bench and can perhaps start earning himself more minutes with starters Stephon Castle and Victor Wembanyama sidelined.

-> Bet on tonight’s 6-game NBA slate

The 19-year-old did that in his last game, logging 20 minutes for the first time in four November outings and scoring 17 points, his most since a 20-point outing vs. the Nets in October.

He has a good opportunity to turn in another productive scoring night against the Memphis Grizzlies. 

The Grizzlies have not fared well against guards, allowing the third-most points to point guards and fifth-most to shooting guards, per Fantasy Pros.

That makes this a ripe matchup for Harper, whether he’s the primary PG during his minutes or playing off-ball. 

Key stat: Harper is 6-3 vs. this line and landed on 11 points in two of the three games he fell short of this number.

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Best NBA picks

Mitchell over 13.5 points (-115): With Curry out, we could very well be staring down another lopsided Thunder win.

That would bode well for Mitchell and other reserves, leading to more run if the starters aren’t needed for heavy minutes.

Oklahoma City is a 12-point road favourite as of Tuesday afternoon. The Thunder enter with a 20-1 record and on a 12-game winning streak. They’ve won by double digits 13 times.

-> Bet on OKC to win its 13th game in a row!

OKC has already disposed of the Warriors once this season, winning by 24 in a game Curry suited up for.

• That was one of five straight games Mitchell started, and he dropped 17 points in the blowout.

• While he naturally got more playing time in those starts, he’s still averaging a healthy 26.5 minutes on the season.

• The second-year guard has made the most of those minutes, taking a big leap in the scoring department. He’s averaging 15.2 PPG after contributing 6.5 in his rookie season.

Mitchell has cleared this line in 14 of 21 games.

NBA player prop predictions

Vassell over 2.5 threes (-105): I’m doubling down on Spurs guards vs. the Grizzlies.

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This time, I’m also looking to take advantage of Memphis’ weak perimeter defence. While Harper doesn’t have much of a 3-point shot — at least not yet — Vassell certainly does.

• He’s averaging 2.7 triples on 38.3% shooting from long range.

• Vassell has taken 9+ attempts from deep in two straight contests and cleared this line in four of his last five.

• The 25-year-old has cashed this prop in 10 of 19 games.

• Only six teams are allowing more threes per game than the Grizzlies, who rank 21st in opponent 3-point percentage.

NBA prop picks made at 1:35 p.m. ET on Dec. 2, 2025.

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