NBA Archives - Page 120 of 146

NBA parlay picks Dec. 19: Bet on Magic to cover, Bulls/Celtics to score

Tuesday’s NBA Cup finale put the league on a one-day hiatus, but pro hoops are back in full force on Thursday.

The pregame narrative: From the upcoming 13-game slate, I’m backing two alt totals and an alt spread in a three-leg parlay. Look for the shorthanded Orlando Magic to stay competitive at home against the NBA Cup runner-up Oklahoma City Thunder.

Check out the full NBA parlay picks for Dec. 19.

NBA parlay picks

Go to full NBA betting markets

Parlay: Magic +9.5 + Bulls/Celtics over 239.5 points + Knicks/T-Wolves under 220.5 points (+239)

Embed: #103847

Magic +9.5 (-215): Orlando is in a really tough spot with both Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner on the sideline. But so far, that hasn’t kept the team from being competitive.

The Magic are 3-0 against this spread in the three games without Wagner and Banchero. On the season, Orlando has covered this number in 23 of 28 games — including all 11 games at home.

I’d have a more difficult time backing Orlando if it was on the road, but I feel good about this squad when it’s at Kia Center.

The Magic are 10-1 at home and have the best home net rating in the NBA (+12.9).

Other picks

Celtics/Bulls over 239.5 points (-186): I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again. The Celtics score because they’re efficient, while the Bulls score because they’re fast.

Both teams rank in the top six in points per game, averaging 238.8 points collectively.

The over is 4-0 in the past four matchups between these teams, and they combined for 267 total points when they last played (Nov. 29). Chicago has cleared this total in five of its past seven road games.

Knicks/Timberwolves under 220.5 points (-205): In the first matchup since the Karl-Anthony Towns trade, I expect the New York Knicks and Minnesota Timberwolves to engage in a rock fight.

Minnesota has regained its defensive identity, posting a league-best 99.3 defensive rating over its past 10 games.

New York has sharpened up on defence, too, with a 108.9 defensive rating in its past 10 (eighth in the NBA).

At this number, unders are 10-1 in Minnesota’s past 11 games — and the lone exception was a game that went to overtime. In those 11 recent matchups, the average game total was just 203.2 points.

Picks made at 9:50 a.m. on 12/18/2024.

NBA schedule, odds and betting lines Dec. 19: Celtics heavy home favourites, T-Wolves host Towns and Knicks

Thursday’s NBA slate is loaded with 13 games on the docket.

The latest: The Minnesota Timberwolves host Karl-Anthony Towns and the New York Knicks for the first time since this October’s blockbuster trade. Elsewhere, the Chicago Bulls travel to Boston to take on the defending champions Celtics.

Check out our basketball betting lines and NBA schedule for Dec. 19.

NBA schedule: Dec. 19

Visit all of tonight’s NBA markets. Click on game odds below to bet now.

Charlotte Hornets vs. Washington Wizards

Embed: #103828

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Orlando Magic

Embed: #103827

Utah Jazz vs. Detroit Pistons

Embed: #103826

Brooklyn Nets vs. Toronto Raptors

Embed: #103831

Chicago Bulls vs. Boston Celtics

Embed: #103830

Atlanta Hawks vs. San Antonio Spurs

Embed: #103834

Golden State Warriors vs. Memphis Grizzlies

Embed: #103832

New Orleans Pelicans vs. Houston Rockets

Embed: #103833

Los Angeles Clippers vs. Dallas Mavericks

Embed: #103835

Indiana Pacers vs. Phoenix Suns

Embed: #103836

New York Knicks vs. Minnesota Timberwolves

Embed: #103837

Denver Nuggets vs. Portland Trail Blazers

Embed: #103839

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Sacramento Kings

Embed: #103838

Betting insights

The Thunder travel to Orlando as the road favourite to take on the Magic. OKC has dominated this head-to-head matchup, winning seven of the last 10 games while covering in eight. The Thunder have the fourth-best ATS record at 16-9-0, while the Magic are 3-7-0 ATS as underdogs this season.

Boston has the fourth-worst ATS record (10-16-0) despite its 21-5 record. Chicago covered the +12 spread the last time these teams met on Nov. 29, but Boston covered in the previous three meetings. The Bulls are hopeful Zach LaVine (back) will return to the lineup after missing Monday’s game against Toronto.

The Raptors host the Nets in an Atlantic Division showdown. Toronto will still be without Scottie Barnes (ankle) and Immanuel Quickley (elbow). Brooklyn is 7-1 against Toronto in the last eight games and covered the spread in six. The Raps, however, have the second-best ATS record in the NBA (18-8-1.
Towns returns to Minnesota to play the Timberwolves for the first time since being traded back in October. The Knicks centre is having a tremendous season, averaging nearly 25 points and 14 boards per game. Expect a close game as both teams have a top-10 net rating, with aspirations of making deep playoff runs this season.

Portland looks to avoid a seventh straight loss as it hosts Denver. The Nuggets are rounding into form, having won three straight and six of their last 10 heading into Thursday’s game. Denver has won seven straight against Portland. As long as MVP front-runner Nikola Jokic is in the lineup, Denver’s streak should continue.

Thunder vs. Bucks NBA Cup prop picks Dec. 17: Bet on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Gary Trent Jr.

The NBA Cup final takes place Tuesday night in Las Vegas and I’m backing two guards on the prop market for the big game.

The pregame narrative: I expect Oklahoma City Thunder superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to go off and also like Gary Trent Jr. of the Milwaukee Bucks to contribute from the perimeter.

Check out my Thunder vs. Bucks prop picks for the NBA Cup championship game on Dec. 17.

Thunder vs. Bucks prop picks

Go to full NBA betting markets

Best Bet: Gilgeous-Alexander over 32.5 points (-118)

This is a huge number but I’ll bite.

Not only is this a plus matchup for Gilgeous-Alexander, but the OKC star enters on fire.

The Milwaukee Bucks have been torched by point guards all season and SGA is the best-scoring PG in the NBA.

And he’s been dialling it up of late for the 20-5 Thunder, who have the best record in the Western Conference.

SGA is 9-6 vs. this line over his last 15 games.

He’s dropped 35-plus points five times over that stretch.

December represents his highest-scoring month of the season.

He’s averaging 30-plus PPG for the third straight year.

Gilgeous-Alexander generally lives around this number, scoring 30-plus points in 12 of 21 games since the start of November.

He’s shooting more from long range than ever before and is an elite free throw shooter who gets to the line at the third-highest rate in the NBA (converting at an 86.4% clip).

Even in a game with a relatively low total (216), Gilgeous-Alexander should be able to eat the same way recent PGs have versus Milwaukee.

The Bucks have allowed opposing point guards to drop more than 30 points in each of their last three games (Trae Young, Jalen Suggs, Dennis Schroder).

Key stat: No team in the NBA allows point guards to score more than the Bucks, per Betting Pros.

Quick pick

Trent over 1.5 threes (-120): Trent isn’t scoring much and faces a tough assignment tonight.

The Thunder are No. 1 in the NBA in defensive rating and are holding opponents to the lowest 3-point shooting percentage.

But asking for a pair of threes, a number he’s routinely hit, isn’t much.

Trent is 15-8 versus this line and averaged at least 2.5 triples per game in each of the last four seasons. Nearly 70% of the shots he’s taking from the field are from beyond the arc.

He’s in a different situation with Milwaukee now and is playing in a reduced role, but remains a big threat from deep and this is a great price to get him at.

Trent is shooting 38.8% from distance, clearing this line in five of six games in December.

Picks made at 12:40 p.m. ET 12/17/2024.

Thunder vs. Bucks NBA Cup prop picks Dec. 17: Bet on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Gary Trent Jr.

The NBA Cup final takes place Tuesday night in Las Vegas and I’m backing two guards on the prop market for the big game.

The pregame narrative: I expect Oklahoma City Thunder superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to go off and also like Gary Trent Jr. of the Milwaukee Bucks to contribute from the perimeter.

Check out my Thunder vs. Bucks prop picks for the NBA Cup championship game on Dec. 17.

Thunder vs. Bucks prop picks

Go to full NBA betting markets

Best Bet: Gilgeous-Alexander over 31.5 points (-124)

This is a huge number but I’ll bite.

Not only is this a plus matchup for Gilgeous-Alexander, but the OKC star enters on fire.

The Milwaukee Bucks have been torched by point guards all season and SGA is the best-scoring PG in the NBA.

And he’s been dialling it up of late for the 20-5 Thunder, who have the best record in the Western Conference.

SGA is 9-6 vs. this line over his last 15 games.

He’s dropped 35-plus points five times over that stretch.

December represents his highest-scoring month of the season.

He’s averaging 30-plus PPG for the third straight year.

Gilgeous-Alexander generally lives around this number, scoring 30-plus points in 12 of 21 games since the start of November.

He’s shooting more from long range than ever before and is an elite free throw shooter who gets to the line at the third-highest rate in the NBA (converting at an 86.4% clip).

Even in a game with a relatively low total (216), Gilgeous-Alexander should be able to eat the same way recent PGs have versus Milwaukee.

The Bucks have allowed opposing point guards to drop more than 30 points in each of their last three games (Trae Young, Jalen Suggs, Dennis Schroder).

Key stat: No team in the NBA allows point guards to score more than the Bucks, per Betting Pros.

Quick pick

Trent over 1.5 threes (-113): Trent isn’t scoring much and faces a tough assignment tonight.

The Thunder are No. 1 in the NBA in defensive rating and are holding opponents to the lowest 3-point shooting percentage.

But asking for a pair of threes, a number he’s routinely hit, isn’t much.

Trent is 15-8 versus this line and averaged at least 2.5 triples per game in each of the last four seasons. Nearly 70% of the shots he’s taking from the field are from beyond the arc.

He’s in a different situation with Milwaukee now and is playing in a reduced role, but remains a big threat from deep and this is a great price to get him at.

Trent is shooting 38.8% from distance, clearing this line in five of six games in December.

Picks made at 12:40 p.m. ET 12/17/2024.

Thunder vs. Bucks NBA Cup SGP predictions: Back Giannis, Wallace in championship game at +330

The Oklahoma City Thunder and Milwaukee Bucks battle for the NBA Cup championship in Las Vegas on Tuesday.

The pregame narrative: Taking the under on a teased-up total seems reasonable with two elite defences on the court. That said, I also expect Giannis Antetokounmpo and Cason Wallace to produce as scorers.

Check out my Thunder vs. Bucks same-game parlay predictions for the NBA Cup final on Dec. 17.

Thunder vs. Bucks predictions

Go to full NBA betting markets

Parlay: Under 224.5 points + Antetokounmpo over 29.5 points + Wallace over 6.5 points (+330)

Under 224.5 points (-315): Milwaukee’s season-long defensive numbers don’t jump off the page but Doc Rivers’ team has clamped down.

Check out what the Bucks have done over their last 15 games:

12-3 record
110.0 defensive rating (8th in NBA)
44.3 opponent FG% (3rd in NBA)

The under is 7-8 in that span but four of Milwaukee’s last five games have fallen under this teased-up total.

Also, the Bucks’ last two games against top-five defensive teams have been rock fights.

They beat the Orlando Magic 114-109 on Dec. 10 and the Houston Rockets 101-100 on Nov. 18.

OKC leads the NBA in several key metrics such as defensive rating, opponent field goal percentage and opponent points per game.

I expect Mark Daigneault’s group — which owns a 14-11 under record — to make things difficult on the Bucks.

SGP legs

Antetokounmpo over 29.5 points (-139): Touting OKC’s defence and backing Giannis to score 30 may seem counterintuitive but I think I can have my cake and eat it too.

The Greek Freak is leading the league in points per game (32.7), scoring 30-plus in five straight and nine of his last 10.

The Thunder have the league’s best rim defence, according to Cleaning the Glass, but Giannis does a lot of damage at the charity stripe.

He’s averaging the second-most free throws (7.0) and most free-throw attempts (11.4) per game.

OKC commits the sixth-most personal fouls per game, which bodes well for this wager.

Wallace over 6.5 points (-177): The 2023 No. 10 overall pick certainly isn’t the biggest name on the Thunder but he’s carved out a starting role in recent weeks.

Wallace is averaging 9.3 points in December and has gone over this line in four of his last six games.

The Bucks have struggled to defend guards all season long. They’re giving up the 11th-most points and seventh-most 3s per game to SGs this season, according to Fantasy Pros.

Wallace has been attempting 5.0 threes a night this month and should see enough volume to go over this small total.

Picks made at 10:20 a.m. on 12/17/2024.

Best NBA prop bets Dec 16: Back Dosunmu, Ball and Cunningham on Monday

I’ve got prop bets on three point guards around the NBA on Monday.

The pregame narrative: Ayo Dosunmu has a strong matchup against the Toronto Raptors. Elsewhere, I like picks on star PGs LaMelo Ball and Cade Cunningham.

Check out the best NBA prop bets on Dec. 16.

NBA prop bets

Go to full NBA betting markets.

Best bet: Dosunmu over 14.5 points (-108)

Zach LaVine is questionable tonight and this would be a smash play if he’s out, so that’s worth monitoring.

Even if LaVine is available, this is a great spot for the Bulls’ PG.

Without Scottie Barnes, the Raptors defence has been awful. Toronto’s 118.8 defensive rating sans Barnes would be among the worst in the league (Utah is 30th with a 119.8 rating), and the team is 2-10 in his absence.

For context, the Raps have a 115.9 defensive rating in 14 games with Barnes.

Besides that, Dosunmu has been playing at a high level.

Since becoming the starting PG on Nov. 22, he is 6-4 against this line while averaging 16.1 points on 61.8% shooting.

When he goes under this line lately, it isn’t due to poor play but rather a bad game script. That shouldn’t be the case on Monday against the Raptors.

Key stat: Point guards score 25.5 points per game against Toronto, according to Betting Pros.

Quick picks

Ball over 30.5 points/assists (-120): Ball is listed as questionable at the time of this writing, so there’s some caution with this pick.

But I had to jump in when I saw this line. There’s a shot he’s on a minutes restriction if he plays, but I’m not sure it matters.

Firstly, Ball is averaging 38.0 PA on the season and was on a tear before going down with an injury. Let’s take a look at his most recent stat lines:

Nov. 27 vs. Miami: 32 points, 7 assists
Nov. 25 vs. Orlando: 44 points 7 assists
Nov. 23 vs. Milwaukee: 50 points, 10 assists
Nov. 21 vs. Detroit: 35 points, 9 assists

Ball also leads all players in usage rate (38.5%), so I’m confident he’d be heavily involved if available.

Cunningham over 9.5 assists (-112): Cunningham has taken his playmaking to another level.

He has double-digit assists in eight of his last 10 games, which has boosted his season average to 9.3.

The former first-overall pick tallied 10-plus assists in just four of his first 12 games but has taken more of a playmaking role recently.

Miami is good at limiting point guards’ scoring production, holding the position to 22.5 points (fifth-fewest in the NBA).

That could force Cunningham into even more passing than usual, which should lead to an uptick in assist opportunities.

Picks made at 12:02 p.m. ET on 12/16/2024.

Best NBA prop bets Dec 16: Back Dosunmu, Ball and Cunningham on Monday

I’ve got prop bets on three point guards around the NBA on Monday.

The pregame narrative: Ayo Dosunmu has a strong matchup against the Toronto Raptors. Elsewhere, I like picks on star PGs LaMelo Ball and Cade Cunningham.

Check out the best NBA prop bets on Dec. 16.

NBA prop bets

Go to full NBA betting markets.

Embed: #103668

Best bet: Dosunmu over 13.5 points (-132)

Zach LaVine is questionable tonight and this would be a smash play if he’s out, so that’s worth monitoring.

Even if LaVine is available, this is a great spot for the Bulls’ PG.

Without Scottie Barnes, the Raptors defence has been awful. Toronto’s 118.8 defensive rating sans Barnes would be among the worst in the league (Utah is 30th with a 119.8 rating), and the team is 2-10 in his absence.

For context, the Raps have a 115.9 defensive rating in 14 games with Barnes.

Besides that, Dosunmu has been playing at a high level.

Since becoming the starting PG on Nov. 22, he is 6-4 against this line while averaging 16.1 points on 61.8% shooting.

When he goes under this line lately, it isn’t due to poor play but rather a bad game script. That shouldn’t be the case on Monday against the Raptors.

Key stat: Point guards score 25.5 points per game against Toronto, according to Betting Pros.

Quick picks

Ball over 30.5 points/assists (-114): Ball is listed as questionable at the time of this writing, so there’s some caution with this pick.

But I had to jump in when I saw this line. There’s a shot he’s on a minutes restriction if he plays, but I’m not sure it matters.

Firstly, Ball is averaging 38.0 PA on the season and was on a tear before going down with an injury. Let’s take a look at his most recent stat lines:

Nov. 27 vs. Miami: 32 points, 7 assists
Nov. 25 vs. Orlando: 44 points 7 assists
Nov. 23 vs. Milwaukee: 50 points, 10 assists
Nov. 21 vs. Detroit: 35 points, 9 assists

Ball also leads all players in usage rate (38.5%), so I’m confident he’d be heavily involved if available.

Cunningham over 9.5 assists (-112): Cunningham has taken his playmaking to another level.

He has double-digit assists in eight of his last 10 games, which has boosted his season average to 9.3.

The former first-overall pick tallied 10-plus assists in just four of his first 12 games but has taken more of a playmaking role recently.

Miami is good at limiting point guards’ scoring production, holding the position to 22.5 points (fifth-fewest in the NBA).

That could force Cunningham into even more passing than usual, which should lead to an uptick in assist opportunities.

Picks made at 12:02 p.m. ET on 12/16/2024.

Nuggets vs. Kings prop picks Dec. 16: Bet on overs for Nikola Jokic, Domantas Sabonis

For tonight’s matchup between the Denver Nuggets and the Sacramento Kings, I’ve got my eyes on a pair of star centres.

The pregame narrative: Nikola Jokic isn’t just a bruiser inside, and his 3s prop is worth a look on Monday — even with extra juice. As for the Kings, look for Domantas Sabonis to make an impact as a passer.

Check out my Nuggets vs. Kings prop picks for Dec. 16.

Nuggets vs. Kings prop picks

Go to full NBA betting markets

Best Bet: Sabonis over 5.5 assists (+110)

Sabonis is on a career-high scoring pace (21.3 PPG), which has caused his assist numbers to dip a bit this season.

But going over 5.5 assists is still in play for the ninth-year centre on any given night, and I view the Nuggets as one of the best possible matchups to make that happen.

Denver has allowed the most assists per game among NBA teams this season.

Sabonis has 7+ assists vs. Denver in four straight matchups (since December 2023).

Sabonis is averaging 6.0 assists, so he’s still on the right side of this number on an average night.

That’s nowhere near his assist volume of the past two years, mind you — 7.7 APG from 2022-24 — but it’s still solid.

Plus, Sabonis has typically been more of a pass-first, shoot-second guy when facing Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets. In his past five matchups against Denver, Sabonis has averaged just 16.2 PPG.

Jokic, a fellow centre, has about 40 pounds on Sabonis. I can see how it’d be easier to dish to an outlet as opposed to trying to bully through a much bigger player.

Key stat: Sabonis has cashed this bet in 13 of 24 games this season.

Quick pick

Jokic over 1.5 threes (-167): This is definitely more juice than I’d prefer to put up with for a straight wager. But I have to give Jokic his flowers.

The big man has cashed this bet in 10 of his past 11 games, shooting 50.0% from 3-point range on just 4.5 attempts.

That type of efficiency doesn’t feel sustainable though, right? And it probably isn’t over the course of a full season.

But what if I told you Jokic has been even more efficient over Denver’s full slate of games so far? He’s shooting 51.2% from deep since opening night.

The other compelling piece is the matchup, as the Kings allow the second-highest 3PT% (37.7) and the second-most made 3s per game (15.0).

Picks made at 12:00 p.m. ET 12/16/2024.

Jazz vs. Clippers same-game parlay predictions Dec. 16: Bet on Powell, Collins and the Clippers at +330

The Utah Jazz and Los Angeles Clippers provide NBA fans with Monday’s nightcap.

The pregame narrative: Utah is one of the NBA’s worst teams and can’t be trusted on the road. I also have plays on Norman Powell and John Collins.

Check out my Jazz vs. Clippers same-game parlay predictions for Dec. 16.

Jazz vs. Clippers predictions

Go to full NBA betting markets

Embed: #103656

Parlay: Clippers -6 + Powell over 2.5 threes + Collins over 14.5 points (+330)

Clippers -6 (-167): It hasn’t exactly been sunshine and rainbows for Jazz head coach Will Hardy.

The bench boss took over at the start of the 2022-23 season and has been progressively worse every year.

2022-23: 37-45 record, 12th in West, -0.7 net rating.
2023-24: 31-51 record, 12th in West, -5.1 net rating.
2024-25: 5-19 record, 14th in West, -9.5 net rating.

What was once a promising team that made six-straight playoff appearances under the direction of Quin Snyder has turned into a poverty franchise.

The Jazz have covered the spread just twice in their last eight contests, and only 10 times all season.

The head-to-head matchup favours the Clippers who have covered in three of the last four against Utah and own a top-five ATS record as the home favourite this season (4-2-0).

SGP legs

Powell over 2.5 threes (-240): Powell is having a resurgent season with the Clippers.

The 31-year-old has career highs in nearly every offensive category:

Field goals attempted: 16.4, field goals made: 8.0
3-point field goals attempted 8.0, 3-point field goals made: 3.8
3-point percentage: 47.4%
Points: 23.2

The former Raptor averaged his lowest PPG mark since his fourth season in the league last year with L.A. (13.9). He’s shooting the ball at a high level and his confidence has matched.

Powell finds himself at 14-to-1 odds to win the Most Improved Player award, with an increase of nearly 10 PPG from last year.

The Jazz allow the sixth-most made 3-pointers (3.28) and points (23.09) to opposing small forwards, per Betting Pros.

Powell has cleared this mark in five of his previous six appearances, shooting 46% on 50 attempts over that stretch.

Collins over 14.5 points (-152): As pitiful as the Jazz’s season has been, Collins has been one of the few bright spots so far.

He’s averaging the most points (18.1) since his 2019-20 season with the Atlanta Hawks, and he’s doing it on a team with the 22nd-ranked offensive rating (110.4).

The former first-round pick has been on a tear for the past five weeks. Since Nov. 12, Collins has averaged 19.6 PPG on .564/.510/.873 shooting splits. In those 14 games, he’s cleared this line 13 times.

Collins cleared the mark in 18 out of 24 games this season.

Picks made at 11:40 a.m. on 12/16/2024.

Raptors vs. Bulls same-game parlay predictions Dec. 16: Back Gradey Dick and RJ Barrett to carry the offence

The Toronto Raptors host the Chicago Bulls on Monday.

The pregame narrative: I’m predicting a high pace tonight between two teams that like to play fast. As a result, I am taking the over on a teased-down total with the over on prop picks for two Raptors’ players in a +265 ticket.

Check out my Raptors vs. Bulls same-game parlay predictions for Dec. 16.

Raptors vs. Bulls predictions

Go to full NBA betting markets

Embed: #103633

Parlay: RJ Barrett over 23.5 points + Gradey Dick over 17.5 points + Over 234.5 points (+265)

Barrett over 23.5 points (-165): The narrative heading into this game is, once again, about Scottie Barnes’s absence. But I think there’s a bigger story at play.

And that is how much better Barrett is at home versus on the road this season. Let’s look at his splits:

Home: 27.9 PPG, 52.3 FG%, 39.4 3PT%
Away: 18.8 PPG, 38.7 FG%, 29.9 3PT%

That is an enormous difference, which is made even better by this matchup against the Bulls.

Chicago allows the most points per game to shooting guards (25.3), per Betting Pros.

The Bulls have the NBA’s sixth-worst defensive rating (117.6).

Additionally, this is a buy-low spot for Barrett as he’s coming off a 13-point performance against the Heat. But that was on the road, and he’s been far more efficient at home.

Barrett has cleared this line in four of his last six games in Toronto.

SGP legs

Dick over 17.5 points (-165): I’m getting behind another one of Toronto’s guards here.

Once again, I’ll stress how bad Chicago’s defence is. Overall, the team allows the second-most points per game (121.9).

With Barnes sidelined, Dick should once again have more responsibility on the offensive end. Against the Heat on Friday, the second-year pro had 22 points on 19 attempts.

That’s nothing new, as Dick averages more shot attempts when Barnes is out

With Barnes: 13.1 shot attempts/game
Without Barnes: 15.8 shot attempts/game

The uptick in shots plus a soft matchup against the Bulls is a formula for success.

Over 234.5 points (-182): To build off the first two legs, I think this game is going way over this total.

The Bulls play at the second-fastest pace in the NBA (103.7) and put up the fifth-most points per game (118.7).

They also take the second-most threes (16.6) and hit them at a 37.9% clip.

The Raptors, on the other hand, are lost on defence without Barnes. They had a 122.1 defensive rating without their young star in the lineup last season.

For context, the worst defensive rating in the league currently belongs to the Utah Jazz (119.8).

Yeah, Toronto is that bad without Barnes. And as much as I think it will help Barrett and Dick, it’s just as beneficial for the over on this teased-down game total.

Picks made at 10:31 a.m. on 12/16/24.