Spencer Closs

Spencer is a true sports junkie. A graduate of the Sports Journalism program at Centennial College, he first joined NorthStar Gaming as an intern in 2023. He is now a contributing writer. He loves finding the edge to bet on in all sports but has a deep passion for the NBA and UFC. Previous stops include Sportsnet.

Best NBA prop picks Dec. 22: Fade Cunningham, back White and Queen on Monday

NBA prop picks Dec. 22

I’m tapping into three different NBA games for my best prop bets on Monday.

Today’s NBA props narrative: Derrick White has been torching teams from range, and I like the over on his 3-point prop against the Indiana Pacers. Later on, fade Cade Cunningham as a passer when the Detroit Pistons take on the Portland Trail Blazers.

Check out my top NBA prop picks for Dec. 22, featuring New Orleans Pelicans’ rookie Derik Queen.

-> Join NorthStar Bets & start betting on the NBA!

NBA prop picks Dec. 22

Best bet: White over 3.5 threes (-115)

I’m surprised to see Whites’ 3-pointers set at 3.5 with how he’s been lighting it up recently.

The sharpshooting guard has a rare mix of high volume and elite efficiency. Look at some of his recent performances.

  • Dec. 20 @ Toronto: 15 points, 4-for-12 3PT
  • Dec. 19 vs. Miami: 33 points, 9-for-14 3PT
  • Dec. 15 vs. Detroit: 31 points, 5-for-12 3PT

The interesting part about all three of those teams is that they each rank inside the top 10 for defensive rating.

-> See full props for Pacers vs. Celtics!

That’s not the case with the Pacers, who have a bottom-half defence.

But it doesn’t matter all that much with how White lets it fly. For the season, he has taken 267 threes compared to only 169 two-point attempts.

He truly is one of a kind when it comes to his three-point volume and efficiency.

Key stat: Overall, White has hit 4+ threes in seven of his past eight games, while shooting 41.7% from deep.

Embed: #122339

Best NBA picks

Cunningham under 9.5 assists (-104): There’s no arguing that Cunningham is one of the best playmakers in the NBA.

But he hasn’t been reaching this total all that often.

  • Over his past 17 games, Cunningham is 4-13 on the over, averaging 8.4 assists per game.
  • That includes a game against the Blazers, where he played a full workload (36 minutes) and finished with nine assists.

He barely went under this total, but it feels like that is closer to his ceiling right now rather than his floor.

The star point guard puts up over 20 shots a night, so he often takes on more of a scoring role.

Of course, he can still put up double-digit assists on any given night, but I’m willing to side with his recent results and fade Cunningham against the Blazers.

-> Full betting markets for Monday’s NBA slate

NBA player prop predictions

Queen over 12.5 points (-130): Queen is quietly making a case for Rookie of the Year.

He’s averaging 13.0 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.0 assists. However, as he gets more comfortable at the NBA level, he’s put together some monstrous performances.

Queen is 9-6 on this wager over his past 15 games, averaging 15.4 points on 54.5% shooting.

-> Bet on rookie sensation Derik Queen!

On Dec. 8, he recorded a 33-point triple-double, showcasing the high ceiling of his offensive abilities.

With players like Zion Williamson and Jordan Poole working their way back into the lineup, you’d assume Queen has lost his starting spot, but he remains an integral part of the lineup.

He’s 2-1 on this wager since Williamson returned to the rotation.

NBA prop picks made at 9 a.m. ET on Dec. 22, 2025.

-> Sign up to NorthStar Bets today!

UFC 324 fight card and betting odds: Paddy Pimblett faces Justin Gaethje for interim lightweight championship

UFC 324 odds

The first UFC card of the new year is headlined by two title fights.

The pre-fight narrative: With Ilia Topuria out of action for the foreseeable future, Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett will lock horns for the interim lightweight championship. Before that, Amanda Nunes makes her return the cage to challenge Kayla Harrison for the women’s bantamweight title in the co-main event.

Check out the UFC 324 fight card and latest betting odds for the Jan. 24, 2026, event in Las Vegas.

-> Join NorthStar Bets to start betting on UFC

UFC 324 fight card and odds

FighterOddsWeight classOddsFighter
Justin Gaethje (4)+175Lightweight-225Paddy Pimblett (5)
Kayla Harrison (C)-200Bantamweight (W)+155Amanda Nunes
Sean O’Malley (3)-250Bantamweight+187Song Yadong (5)
Waldo Cortes-Acosta (5)-334Heavyweight+235Derrick Lewis (8)
Arnold Allen (6)+180Featherweight-239Jean Silva (10)

UFC 324 odds as of 3:05 p.m. on 12/21/2025.

UFC 324 main event: Gaethje vs. Pimblett

This isn’t a true title fight, but still super exciting nonetheless.

These are two of the most explosive fighters in the UFC, so fans should expect a banger to close out the night.

Pimblett had a meteoric rise in the promotion, winning seven fights in a row en route to this title opportunity. He ended five of those bouts before the final bell.

The Englishman is a smothering grappler who is always looking for a finish when in a dominant position.

-> Bet on the UFC 324 main event at NorthStar Bets

Gaethje is also very violent, but he does most of his work at the kickboxing range. Only three of his 11 UFC fights have gone the distance.

He takes a ton of damage each fight, but he strives in the line of fire. Gaethje absorbs 7.18 significant strikes per minute compared to dishing out 6.59.

This has all the makings of a high-action bout that could be an early contender for fight of the year.

UFC 324 fight card: Harrison vs. Nunes

  • Harrison won the bantamweight title after just three fights in the UFC. What’s her reward? She gets to welcome back the GOAT of women’s MMA for her first title defence. The champ is a legit Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, and she’s finished 14 of 19 wins by either submission or ground and pound.
  • Nunes hasn’t fought since 2023 and is deservedly the underdog in her first fight back. If she wants to reclaim UFC gold, she’ll need to keep this fight on the feet, where she has a significant advantage. If Harrison gets her to the mat with ease, it’s hard to see Nunes having any success.

-> Wager on UFC now!

O’Malley vs. Yadong UFC 324

  • O’Malley, the former bantamweight champ, looks to rebuild his momentum after back-to-back losses to Merab Dvalishvili. He will need to get past Yadong, who’s entering his prime at 28 years old and holds an 11-3-1 UFC record.
  • Dvalishvili is expected to get an immediate rematch with new champ Petr Yan, but the winner of this fight should be next in line. Before losing two straight, O’Malley was on a six-fight win streak.

Cortes-Acosta vs. Lewis UFC 324

  • Cortes-Acosta has a case for fighter of the year in the heavyweight division, as he surged up the rankings. He went 4-1 to reach an overall record of 16-2. He fought twice in the month of November, winning each bout by knockout. He has all the momentum ahead of this fight.
  • Lewis is nearing the end of his career, but he’s still dangerous. He’s on a two-fight win streak, most recently knocking out prospect Tallison Teixeira in a fight where he was also a sizeable underdog. Lewis holds the record for most UFC knockouts with 16 in his 30-fight career.

UFC 324 fight card: Allen vs. Silva

  • Allen started his UFC career by winning 10 straight fights to reach the pinnacle of the featherweight division. He then ran into two of the best (Max Holloway, Mosvar Evloev) and lost both bouts. The good news is he got back into the win column in 2025, beating Giga Chikadze by dominant decision.
  • Silva was one of the most hyped prospects in the UFC, winning his first five fights by finish. He then ran into Diego Lopes and got outclassed for two rounds before being knocked out by a spinning elbow.
  • Allen may not be a championship-calibre fighter, but he’s a legit staple in the top five of this division. A win for Silva could propel him to the next title shot in a loaded featherweight division.

-> Sign up to NorthStar Bets today!

Rockets vs. Kings SGP predictions Dec. 21: Bet on Reed Sheppard to continue breakout season

Rockets vs. Kings predictions

The Houston Rockets and Sacramento Kings headline Sunday’s NBA action.

The pregame narrative: These are two teams with opposite aspirations at this point in the season. The Rockets can build on yesterday’s victory over the Denver Nuggets with another win over the Kings, who sit in the basement of the Western Conference standings.

Check out my Rockets vs. Kings SGP predictions for Dec. 21, featuring Reed Sheppard and Alperen Sengun.

-> Join NorthStar Bets to start betting on the NBA

Rockets vs. Kings predictions

Parlay: Rockets ML | Sheppard over 2.5 threes | Sengun over 9.5 rebounds (+300)

Rockets ML (-625): I’ll keep this portion short and sweet … the Kings are a bad basketball team.

They sit 15th in the west and are 1-9 in their last 10 games. Both Domantas Sabonis and Zach LaVine will be out for this contest as both All-Stars continue to recover from injuries.

-> Bet on NBA futures at NorthStar Bets

That leaves a thin roster to work with, and it’s been apparent in the results. Sacramento is on a five-game losing streak, averaging 107.8 points per game.

Over the full season, that would be the worst offence in the NBA.

Even though the Rockets are on a back-to-back, they are far superior to the Kings, so it shouldn’t matter.

After losing the first two games of the season, Houston has won 17 of 23 games, catapulting the squad firmly into a playoff position.

Earlier this month, they dismantled the Kings with LaVine, 121-95.

Embed: #122331

NBA SGP legs

Sheppard over 2.5 threes (+104): The second-year pro is starting to find his groove at the NBA level. He is averaging 13.4 points while canning 44.2% of his 3s.

The guard attempts 6.2 shots from beyond the arc a night, so that efficiency is extremely impressive.

And he’s coming off a great outing against the Denver Nuggets. He hit six of nine triples, finishing with 27 points.

Sheppard played over 30 minutes in that contest and should be asked to do a lot of heavy lifting again tonight, being one of the youngest players on the roster.

If that’s the case, he should at the very least take a handful of 3s, which is plenty enough for him to clear this mark.

The Kings allow the fourth most points per game to shooting guards (23.48).

-> Back LeBron and Doncic on Saturday night

Sengun over 9.5 rebounds (-117): Another position the Kings struggle to contain is centre.

Big men average 16.76 rebounds per game against Sacramento, which is the most in the NBA.

The Kings are missing Sabonis inside. They don’t have a suitable replacement for the three-time rebounding champ.

Sengun is averaging right around this number of rebounds (9.3), but he should be in for above-average performance on the glass tonight.

He had double-digit rebounds in four of the past five games, including 10 boards against the Kings on Dec. 3.

Sengun played under 30 minutes in that game because the Rockets won by close to 30. That proves he can cash this wager even if with a lopsided score.

Rockets vs. Kings predictions made at 1:30 p.m. on Dec. 20, 2025.

-> Sign up to NorthStar Bets today!

Looking to get started? Sign up here.

Patriots vs. Ravens SNF Week 16 SGP predictions: Expect another standout performance from rookie TreVeyon Henderson

Patriots vs. Ravens predictions

The New England Patriots look to stay undefeated on the road against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday Night Football.

The pregame narrative: Patriots’ rookie TreVeyon Henderson is making a late surge for Offensive Rookie of the Year, and he has another chance to put up big numbers against the Ravens.

Check out my Patriots vs. Ravens SGP predictions for Dec. 21, featuring Isaiah Likely.

-> Join NorthStar Bets to start betting on the NFL.

Patriots vs. Ravens SGP

SGP: Patriots +7.5 | Henderson 50+ rushing yards | Likely 3+ receptions (+350)

Patriots +7.5 (-265): New England looked on the way to winning its 11th straight game last week before blowing a 21-0 lead to the Buffalo Bills.

I won’t put much stock into the collapse since Josh Allen and Co. are known to make epic comebacks from time to time.

Usually, Lamar Jackson and the Ravens would also have that in their locker, but this season has been different.

Jackson has been plagued with injuries, while Baltimore narrowly holds on to a chance to make the playoffs at 7-7.

The Ravens did trounce the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 15 by a score of 24-0, but lost two straight before that.

-> Don’t miss out — check out NorthStar Bets’ SNF prop markets!

I’m more willing to chalk that up to a disastrous game from Joe Burrow rather than a sign that Baltimore is back.

It can be easy to dismiss the Patriots because of their woes last season, but they are legit contenders.

Drake Maye has put up MVP-type numbers as a sophomore, and his team is just as dangerous on the road.

In fact, the Patriots are a perfect 6-0 away from Gillette Stadium, further cementing them as an elite football team.

Embed: #122310

Sunday Night Football SGP picks

Henderson 50+ rushing yards (-114): The Patriots are great now and have the potential to be even better in years to come.

That has a lot to do with Maye being 22 years old, but don’t sleep on Henderson.

  • The rookie has rushed for 773 yards and seven touchdowns. He has recorded an impressive 5.4 yards per carry.
  • Most of that production came in the second half. Since Week 8, Henderson has cleared this line in every game (7-0), averaging 88.6 yards per game.
  • He had two games with 140+ rushing yards during that time.

-> Bet on TreVeyon Henderson and Isaiah Likely on SNF

Henderson still splits the work with Rhamondre Stevenson, but the good news is he only needs around 10 carries to clear this total.

And it becomes clearer every week that the young running back is the better of the two and more than capable of assuming a bell cow role.

Last week, he had 148 rushing yards on 14 attempts against the Bills.

Likely 3+ receptions (+105): Likely wasn’t targeted in the Ravens’ clobbering over the Bengals.

Despite the win, it was a very bad game script for Baltimore’s pass catchers.

Jackson threw a season-low 12 pass attempts and had just 150 passing yards in the blowout.

For context, his next lowest was in Week 1 when he attempted 19 passes.

-> Go to full Patriots vs. Ravens markets for Sunday Night Football

So I’m going to look past that game and focus on Likely’s prior performances.

  • Week 13: six targets, five catches, 95 yards
  • Week 14: six targets, four catches, 25 yards

With his quarterback clearing working through an injury, I’d rather back the tight end in the receptions market rather than yards.

If Jackson is required to pass more — and he should be — Likely should see his fair share of targets.

Patriots vs. Ravens predictions made at 12:35 p.m. ET on Dec. 21, 2025.

-> Sign up to NorthStar Bets today!

Maple Leafs vs. Stars SGP predictions Dec. 21: Expect Matthew Knies, Jason Robertson to shine

Maple Leafs vs. Stars predictions

The Toronto Maple Leafs are struggling ahead of a second half of a back-to-back against the Dallas Stars.

The pregame narrative: The Leafs lost 5-3 last night and now travel to Dallas to play a surging Stars squad. Toronto will need a much better effort tonight to rebound against one of the best teams in the Western Conference.

Check out my Maple Leafs vs. Stars SGP predictions on Dec. 21, featuring Jason Robertson and Matthew Knies.

-> Join NorthStar Bets to start betting on the NHL

Lightning vs. Maple Leafs predictions

Parlay: Stars ML | Robertson 1+ points | Knies 1+ points (+295)

Stars ML (-205): There is no trusting the Leafs in this one.

They have lost four of their last five games and have ultimately played worse on the road, with a 5-9-0 record this season.

The defence continues to be a disappointment, while the offence is far from the explosive unit it once was.

Toronto was embarrassed by the Nashville Predators on Saturday, and the task only gets tougher on Sunday.

-> Bet on Maple Leafs vs. Stars at NorthStar Bets!

The Stars are an incredible team. They are having an amazing season that is being overshadowed by the Colorado Avalanche’s historic start.

But that doesn’t take away from the fact that the Stars are elite. They are 24-7-5 this season with a +32 goal differential.

On top of that, they’ve won three in a row and seven of their past 10. That includes battering the Anaheim Ducks 8-3 last time out.

If Toronto wants to beat Dallas, it needs to bring its A-game. I don’t see that as a possible outcome with the Leafs on a back-to-back playing some terrible hockey.

Embed: #122304

Leafs SGP picks

Robertson 1+ points (-275): This is the perfect matchup for a guy like Robertson.

He takes a ton of shots, and the Leafs welcome that, allowing the second-most shots per game in the NHL (31.3).

Against Anaheim, Robertson had two goals and an assist. He is now 19-6 on this wager since the start of November, with 34 points during that time.

That brings me back to the Leafs’ defence. To go along with giving up a lot of shots, they naturally rank in the bottom 10 for goals allowed.

This is a prime spot for a forward of Robertson’s skill, and he should take full advantage.

-> Don’t miss out — make your own SGP here!

Knies 1+ points (-115): Knies hasn’t been producing for the Leafs, but he is often in a position to succeed.

He continues to play over 20 minutes a night, skating on the top line and first power play unit.

Despite only having one point in the past seven games, he still has 29 points in 31 games this season.

Even though the Stars are a strong defensive team, they rank right in the middle of the pack for shots allowed, and they take a lot of penalty minutes.

That could be the formula needed for Knies to get back on track.

Maple Leafs vs. Stars SGP made at 9:45 a.m. ET on Dec. 21, 2025.

-> Sign up to NorthStar Bets today!

49ers vs. Colts Week 16 Monday Night Football picks: Back the over, George Kittle to have another star performance

49ers vs. Colts picks

The San Francisco 49ers look to win their fifth straight game when they visit the Indianapolis Colts on Monday night.

The pregame narrative: The 49ers are getting healthy and at the right time. They are averaging 31.0 points per game during their winning streak and have another opportunity to put up a ton of points against a struggling Colts’ defence.

Check out my 49ers vs. Colts picks for Dec. 22, featuring a prop bet on George Kittle.

-> Join NorthStar Bets to start betting on the NFL

49ers vs. Colts picks

Best bet: Kittle over 66.5 receiving yards (-109)

When healthy, Kittle is the cream of the crop at the tight end position.

  • He has cleared this yardage total in five straight games.
  • During that time, he averaged 6.6 catches on 7.8 targets for 76.8 receiving yards.

Those are top wide receiver numbers rather than numbers you’d typically see out of a tight end.

-> Don’t miss out — Bet on Monday Night Football!

And this line is on the low end for a pass catcher of his calibre.

Then, take into account the matchup, and this starts to look like a smash play.

The Colts give up the second-most passing yards per game (247.6). On a team without an elite receiver, Kittle should be targeted early and often by Brock Purdy.

Key stat: Indianapolis also allows the fifth most yards per game to opposing tight ends (66.2).

Embed: #122302

MNF over/under pick

Over 46 points (-109): I believe both teams can contribute enough to cover this modest total on Monday.

As previously mentioned, the Colts have a terrible pass defence, but it doesn’t stop there. They also allow opponents to convert 41.4% of third downs.

That allows teams to consistently move the chains and run up the score.

On the other side, the 49ers don’t have the great defence of seasons past. They have a below-average unit that is highlighted by allowing 227.6 passing yards per game (11th worst in the NFL).

-> Go to full MNF prop markets now!

Philip Rivers looked his age in Week 15, but the Seattle Seahawks have a far superior defence. In fact, they allow the second fewest points per game.

So it makes sense the Colts’ offence was held to 16 points, but even one more touchdown should be enough to push this game over its total.

I foresee the 49ers doing most of the heavy lifting, though. The offence is as healthy as it’s been all season, and Purdy is coming off his best game of the season (three touchdowns, zero interceptions).

San Francisco scored 37 points in that game against the Tennessee Titans, and it finished with a total of 61 points.

The Colts’ offence is just as good as the Titans’, even with Rivers, so a similar result should be expected this week.

49ers vs. Colts picks made at 2:35 p.m. ET Dec. 20, 2025.

-> Sign up to NorthStar Bets today!

Celtics vs. Raptors prop bets Dec. 20: Back Scottie Barnes to fill stat sheet

The Toronto Raptors return home for a game against the Boston Celtics before heading back out for a road trip.

The latest: Toronto will want to take advantage of the opportunity to win a third straight game. That won’t be easy against the Boston Celtics, who are surging up the Eastern Conference standings.

Check out my Celtics vs. Raptors prop bets for Dec. 20, featuring predictions on Scottie Barnes and Derrick White.

-> Join NorthStar Bets and start betting on the NBA today!

Celtics vs. Raptors prop bets

Best bet: Barnes over 33.5 points/rebounds/assists (-110)

The Raptors and Celtics met in December already and Barnes filled the stat sheet in that contest.

He had 18 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists. It was a showcase of his versatile skill set.

Barnes now has 14 double-doubles in 28 games, which is impressive for a non-centre.

Overall, he’s averaging 19.8 points, 8.0 rebounds and 5.2 assists, which is more than what is needed out of him tonight to cash this pick.

-> Full Celtics vs. Raptors prop markets at NorthStar Bets

Plus, I believe he is in for a scoring uptick with RJ Barrett remaining sidelined for this contest.

In 11 games without Barrett, Barnes is averaging 20.5 points.

The six days off seem to have worked wonders for the Raptors. They won consecutive games following the break, and Barnes had a pair of double-doubles.

At home, the Raptors should continue building momentum behind a monstrous performance from their young stud.

Key stat: Barnes is 8-3 against this line without Barrett in the lineup.

-> Wager on Saturday’s 10-game NBA slate

Raptors picks and predictions

White over 4.5 threes (-120): I still like this prop for White even at a 4.5 line.

It’s easy to understand why when looking at his recent performances.

  • Dec. 19 vs. Miami: 33 points, 9-for-14 3PT
  • Dec. 15 vs. Detroit: 31 points, 5-for-12 3PT
  • Dec. 7 @ Toronto: 27 points, 6-for-15 3PT

-> Bet on Barnes and White tonight!

That’s just a few examples from a long list of high-volume performances from the sharpshooter.

He’s 6-3 against this wager over his past nine games.

During that span, he averaged 4.9 threes on a whopping 11.4 attempts (42.7%). He attempted 103 three-pointers in those games, compared to only 48 two-point attempts.

White has a rare mix of high volume and elite efficiency, so this line is frankly too low.

Celtics vs. Raptors prop bets made at 1:17 p.m. ET on Dec. 20, 2025.

-> Sign up to NorthStar Bets today!

NHL parlay picks and predictions: Back offence in Maple Leafs vs. Predators, Macklin Celebrini to continue scoring streak

NHL parlay predictions Dec. 20

The Saturday NHL slate is loaded with 13 games, which is plenty to choose from for a parlay.

The pregame narrative: Macklin Celebrini is lighting up the NHL in his second season and I expect him to keep rolling for the San Jose Sharks on Saturday. Before that, expect a lot of goals when the Toronto Maple Leafs visit the Nashville Predators.

Check out the full +304 NHL parlay predictions Dec. 20, featuring a pick on the Boston Bruins.

-> Join NorthStar Bets to start betting on the NHL

NHL parlay predictions Dec. 20

Parlay: Celebrini to record a point | Leafs/Predators over 6 goals | Bruins ML (+304)

Celebrini to record a point (-360): This pick has a steep price, but it brings the parlay from +216 to +304, so I’ll gladly add it in.

The sophomore is having a historic campaign, ranking third in the NHL with 53 points, behind only Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon.

He’s been extremely consistent, and he’s red hot right now.

  • Celebrini has at least a point in 27 of 35 games this season.
  • That includes a current four-game point streak in which he has tallied 10 points total.

-> Don’t miss out — Bet on Celebrini props now!

The other good news is the Sharks will play at home, where they are 10-6-3 this season.

Celebrini has 27 points in those 19 games at SAP Center.

His opponent, the Seattle Kraken, have a below-average defence with the worst penalty kill in the NHL (68.5%).

Not that the matchup matters much, but this is a good spot for Celebrini to do damage.

Embed: #122287

Other picks

Leafs/Predators over 6 goals (-106): The Predators are one of the few teams in the NHL that is as bad defensively as the Leafs.

  • Nashville allows the second-most goals per game (3.48).
  • Toronto ranks in the bottom 10 for goals allowed, while giving up the second most shots per game (31.2).

-> Make your own NHL parlay at NorthStar Bets

This has all the makings of a shootout. The Leafs score a lot to pair with their atrocious defence. They are eighth in the league in goals per game (3.18).

The Preds don’t have the same firepower, but any team can seemingly score a few against the Leafs right now.

Last time out, Toronto got embarrassed by the Washington Capitals, 4-0. A couple of games before that, the Edmonton Oilers scored six in a 6-3 win.

We also saw the offensive potential in this matchup earlier this season. On Oct. 14th, the Leafs beat the Predators 7-4.

Bruins moneyline (-165): The Vancouver Canucks looked like they were giving up on the season when they traded away Quinn Hughes to the Minnesota Wild.

However, Vancouver has won three straight road games ahead of this contest. I see that streak coming to an end tonight.

  • That’s mainly because the Bruins are a great home team, owning a 12-6 record when playing in Boston.
  • Another factor is that the Canucks played last in New York on Friday against the Islanders. A road back-to-back is difficult to overcome for any team.
  • Finally, the Bruins are simply the better team. They sit fourth in the Atlantic with serious playoff aspirations.
  • Meanwhile, Vancouver still has a record below .500 despite winning three straight games.

It’s easy to back the streaking team, but everything else in this matchup points to the Bruins playing spoiler.

NHL parlay predictions made at 9:55 a.m. on Dec. 10, 2025.

-> Sign up to NorthStar Bets today!

Celtics vs. Raptors prop bets Dec. 20: Back Scottie Barnes to fill stat sheet

Celtics vs. Raptors prop bets

The Toronto Raptors return home for a game against the Boston Celtics before heading back out for a road trip.

The latest: Toronto will want to take advantage of the opportunity to win a third straight game. That won’t be easy against the Boston Celtics, who are surging up the Eastern Conference standings.

Check out my Celtics vs. Raptors prop bets for Dec. 20, featuring predictions on Scottie Barnes and Derrick White.

-> Join NorthStar Bets and start betting on the NBA today!

Celtics vs. Raptors prop bets

Best bet: Barnes over 32.5 points/rebounds/assists (-105)

The Raptors and Celtics met in December already and Barnes filled the stat sheet in that contest.

He had 18 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists. It was a showcase of his versatile skill set.

Barnes now has 14 double-doubles in 28 games, which is impressive for a non-centre.

Overall, he’s averaging 19.8 points, 8.0 rebounds and 5.2 assists, which is more than what is needed out of him tonight to cash this pick.

-> Full Celtics vs. Raptors prop markets at NorthStar Bets

Plus, I believe he is in for a scoring uptick with RJ Barrett remaining sidelined for this contest.

In 11 games without Barrett, Barnes is averaging 20.5 points.

The six days off seem to have worked wonders for the Raptors. They won consecutive games following the break, and Barnes had a pair of double-doubles, going 2-0 on this wager.

At home, the Raptors should continue building momentum behind a monstrous performance from their young stud.

Key stat: Barnes is 8-3 against this line without Barrett in the lineup.

Embed: #122283

-> Wager on Saturday’s 10-game NBA slate

Raptors picks and predictions

White over 3.5 threes (-132): When starting my research, I fully expected White’s 3-point prop to be 4.5 rather than 3.5.

It’s easy to understand why when looking at his recent performances.

  • Dec. 19 vs. Miami: 33 points, 9-for-14 3PT
  • Dec. 15 vs. Detroit: 31 points, 5-for-12 3PT
  • Dec. 7 @ Toronto: 27 points, 6-for-15 3PT

-> Bet on Barnes and White tonight!

That’s just a few examples from a long list of high-volume performances from the sharpshooter.

He’s 7-2 against this wager over his past nine games. To add, he hit 5+ threes in six of those games.

During that span, he averaged 4.9 threes on a whopping 11.4 attempts (42.7%). He attempted 103 three-pointers in those games, compared to only 48 two-point attempts.

White has a rare mix of high volume and elite efficiency, so this line is frankly too low. If he keeps it up, this could be one of the last times bettors get this number before it goes up to 4.5.

Celtics vs. Raptors prop bets made at 9:55 a.m. ET on Dec. 20, 2025.

-> Sign up to NorthStar Bets today!

Packers vs. Bears Week 16 SGP predictions: Bet on Chicago to win, Colston Loveland to produce

Packers vs. Bears predictions

The first NFL Saturday of the season closes with a clash between teams fighting for the top spot in the NFC North.

The pregame narrative: The Chicago Bears come into this game holding the lead with a 10-4 record. The Green Bay Packers beat Chicago in Week 14 and can overtake first place with a win and grab a pivotal 2-0 season series lead.

Check out my Packers vs. Bears SGP predictions, featuring picks on Colston Loveland and Jayden Reed

-> Join NorthStar Bets to start betting on the NFL

Packers vs. Bears predictions

SGP: Bears ML | Loveland 40+ receiving yards | Reed over 38.5 receiving yards (+450)

Bears moneyline (-117): This is an important game for the NFC North, and I’m leaning on the side of the home team.

The Bears have been dominant at Soldier Field, winning five of six games. The one loss was back in Week 1 when they blew a lead against the Minnesota Vikings.

In Week 14, Chicago went on the road and put up a solid effort in Green Bay. The Bears lost 28-21 but had more possession on offence by about seven minutes.

-> Bet on NFL Week 16!

If Caleb Williams plays up to his standard, his team has the makings to win the matchup this time around.

The good news is that Williams’ passer rating is almost 18 points better at home. He’s thrown 11 touchdown passes in Chicago with only one interception.

That should be enough to propel the Bears past the Packers, getting them one step closer to claiming the division.

Embed: #122278

Other SGP picks

Loveland 40+ receiving yards (-157): The Bears will be without two of their main receivers for this game, making the rookie tight end an enticing option on the prop markets.

Both Rome Odunze and Luther Burden will be out for this game. Odunze leads the team in receiving yards, while Burden has had at least six targets in each of the past three games.

Targets will be available, and Loveland is rising in the Bears’ offence.

  • He’s had 40+ receiving yards in five of the past eight games.
  • Last week, he caught four of five targets for 63 yards. That included 27 yards after catch.

-> Go to full NFL player prop markets

Williams should look to use his big tight end as a safety valve. Then, Loveland should be able to do enough with the space to truck past this total.

He fell short of this mark against Green Bay in Week 14 but was targeted five times and had four receptions.

That was also on the road with a healthier offence. Expect more production in the rematch.

Reed over 38.5 receiving yards (-112): Reed played a season-high 65.2% of the Packers’ offensive snaps last week, and the results were promising.

It was almost 20% more of the snap share than the week prior, and he turned it into five catches for 55 receiving yards.

He should be in for an even bigger role this week while other receivers like Christian Watson are questionable.

I’m bullish on the added opportunity against a middling defence.

The Bears allow 218.9 passing yards per game, which is just below average. That should be enough for Reed to clear this modest total.

Packers vs. Bears predictions made at 2:15 p.m. on Dec. 19, 2025.

-> Sign up to NorthStar Bets today!