Category: NBA

The Denver Nuggets and Toronto Raptors collide in a New Year’s Eve showdown.

The pregame narrative: Nikola Jokic and Aaron Gordon are out for Denver, meaning others will have to pick up the slack. Bruce Brown is a player I’m looking to shine in their absence. Jamal Murray is now the main focus for opposing defences, which is why I’m fading him.

Check out my Nuggets vs. Raptors prop bets for Dec. 31, featuring predictions for Brandon Ingram.

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Nuggets vs. Raptors prop bets

Best Bet: Brown over 10.5 points (+102)

Brown’s offensive numbers are up recently, and I want in.

Firstly, his minutes are up. Brown is averaging 28.0 minutes played across his last seven games, more than four minutes above his season average before this stretch (23.7).

-> Bet on Bruce Brown tonight!

Naturally, that’s leading to more offensive production. Brown has scored 11-plus points in five games during this run and is coming off a 15-point performance against the Miami Heat.

The Raptors are an average matchup for opposing guards, but this is more of a play on Denver’s current offensive situation.

With Jokic out, specifically, there are plenty of looks available in the Nuggets’ offence.

If a few more opportunities go Brown’s way, he’ll keep doing what he has been: beating this line.

Key stat: Brown has an effective field-goal percentage of .667 percent over his last seven contests.

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Raptors picks and predictions

Ingram under 23.5 points (-122): Ingram is having a strong season, but I’m skeptical of his chances of having an above-average offensive night.

-> Bet on Nuggets vs. Raptors tonight!

The small forward’s production has been sporadic lately. He’s topped 25 points in two of his last five games, but he’s failed to hit 20 in the other three contests.

This isn’t a number the Raptors star is beating consistently, either. Ingram is only averaging 21.9 points per game this season.

Murray under 3.5 threes (-112): Lastly, I’m fading Murray’s three-point prop.

The Kitchener, Ontario, native is having his best three-point shooting season. He’s averaging a personal best of 3.5 makes and 7.7 attempts per contest.

-> Fade Jamal Murray at NorthStar Bets!

Murray has cooled off, however, in his last couple of games. He’s hit only two in each of those contests.

I expect Toronto’s defence to pay Murray extra attention with Jokic out. Look for the Raptors to clamp down on what he does best and make his life difficult from beyond the arc.

Nuggets vs. Raptors prop bets made at 10:28 a.m. ET on Dec. 31, 2025.

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LeBron James turned 41 years young on Tuesday, and I had to include the birthday celebrant in my Detroit Pistons vs. Los Angeles Lakers predictions.

The pregame narrative: LeBron has been on a scoring binge recently after a slow start to the year. With a pair of key absences on the Lakers’ side, look for the King to fill the net.

Check out my Pistons vs. Lakers SGP predictions for Dec. 30, featuring a prop bet on Duncan Robinson.

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Pistons vs. Lakers predictions

Parlay: Pistons ML | LeBron 20+ points | Robinson 3+ threes (+310)

Pistons ML (-137): The Pistons just lost by 13 points to the lowly Los Angeles Clippers two nights ago, but I’m willing to look past that. After all, the Lakers lost by 15 to the very same Clippers back on Dec. 20.

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What I like about Detroit tonight is that the team has been far better than L.A. in December.

Over 12 games this month, the Pistons are 8-4 with the fifth-best net rating in the NBA (+6.4).

The Lakers, meanwhile, are 5-6 this month with a -6.7 net rating (26th in the NBA).

Detroit won outright as an underdog in both matchups against L.A. last season. Tonight, the Lakers are missing a pair of starters, Austin Reaves (26.6 PPG) and Rui Hachimura (44.5 3PT%).

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NBA SGP legs

LeBron 20+ points (-245): North of 40, LeBron still has it.

His 23rd NBA season got off to a rocky start, as LeBron missed L.A.’s first 14 games due to injury. In his first six games back, he averaged a modest 14.0 PPG and snapped his record 1,297-game streak of scoring at least 10 points.

But since then, LeBron has reminded everyone that he still has the upper hand on Father Time.

• Over his past eight games, LeBron is averaging 25.4 PPG.

• He has 18+ points in eight straight, going 6-2 vs. this milestone in that span.

-> Back LeBron tonight in L.A.

The recent scoring surge is probably a combination of Reaves’ absence and LeBron finally being fully ramped up. The King is a very strong pick to hit this points target tonight.

In his past 10 games without Reaves, dating back to December 2024, LeBron is averaging 27.0 PPG.

Robinson 3+ threes (-157): The Pistons brought Robinson in to be their go-to shooter from beyond the arc, and that’s exactly what he’s been.

The former Michigan Wolverine is shooting 38.7% from deep on 7.4 attempts per game. That equates to an average of 2.9 made 3s.

Robinson is 21-9 vs. this prop and has cashed it in four of his past five games.

I expect more of the same tonight against the Lakers, who allow the second-highest opponent 3PT% (38.1).

Pistons vs. Lakers predictions made at 12:05 p.m. on Dec. 30, 2025.

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The Sacramento Kings and the Los Angeles Clippers collide in a matchup of Western Conference basement-dwellers.

The pregame narrative: Sacramento is only 2.5 games behind Los Angeles in the standings but enters this contest as a sizeable underdog. The Clippers are playing better basketball lately and are worth backing in this contest.

Check out my Kings vs. Clippers SGP predictions for Dec. 30, featuring a prop bet on Keegan Murray.

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Kings vs. Clippers predictions

Parlay: Clippers -6.5 | Under 222.5 points | Murray under 14.5 points (+300)

Clippers -6.5 (-186): Los Angeles is finding its groove, and it should be able to win big against an injury-riddled Kings squad.

The Clippers have won four consecutive games, taking each by 13-plus points.

Kawhi Leonard’s recent play is a big reason for this success. Leonard is averaging 39 points per game during this stretch and is coming off a 55-point performance against the Eastern Conference-leading Detroit Pistons.

-> Bet on the Clippers here!

Sacramento, meanwhile, is really struggling to stay competitive. The Kings have lost three consecutive games, dropping two of those by seven-plus points.

Picking on Sacramento has been a great strategy for bettors this season. It has the second-worst ATS record in the league (12-20), with a -10.4 average margin.

NBA SGP legs

Under 222.5 points (-120): Injuries play a big part in backing this under.

It isn’t easy to pencil the Kings down for a big total. Top scorers Zach LaVine and Domantas Sabonis are out, which significantly hinders Sacramento’s offensive ceiling.

-> Take the under at NorthStar Bets!

The Kings don’t have much of a ceiling to begin with, ranking 27th in points per game this season (111.7).

Los Angeles has been scoring more recently, but still, this isn’t a number it clears with much frequency.

The Clippers have gone below this game total in three of their last four games.

Murray under 14.5 points (-130): Lastly, I’m fading Murray in this matchup.

Keep in mind that the power forward has missed the last two games with a calf injury and is questionable for tonight. But if he plays, I’ll happily fade him.

-> Fade Keegan Murray at NorthStar Bets!

Firstly, returning from injury presents its own challenges. It’s unclear what Murray’s usage will look like in his first game back.

Secondly, the Clippers are a difficult matchup for power forwards. They’re surrendering the sixth-fewest points per game to the position (21.6).

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Four NBA games are coming up on Tuesday night, and I’ve got prop bets from three of them.

Tonight’s NBA props narrative: In the late window, Cade Cunningham looks to put on a show against the Los Angeles Lakers. Earlier on, Jaylen Brown has an opportunity to ride an epic scoring binge right into 2026.

Check out my top NBA prop picks for Dec. 30, featuring a prediction on Nique Clifford.

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NBA prop picks Dec. 30

Best bet: Brown over 31.5 points (-118)

Brown has been the NBA’s best scorer this month, and he’s completely deserving of this line.

• In nine December games, Brown is averaging 32.7 points while shooting 54.4% from the floor (43.2% from 3-point range).

• Though he isn’t putting up a ton of shot volume from beyond the arc, Brown raises his scoring floor with free throws. This month, his average of 9.0 free throw attempts is fourth in the NBA.

• On the season, Brown is averaging the most 2-point attempts in the league (15.9/game).

It’s not a surprise that Brown has shouldered more of the offensive load for the Boston Celtics with Jayson Tatum out this season. But there was no guarantee that it would turn out this well.

In Year 10, Brown is posting career-high marks in points (29.7/game), field goal percentage (50.6%), free throws made (5.8/game) and free throw percentage (77.9%).

-> Bet on Celtics star Jaylen Brown!

Tonight, Brown and the Celtics face the worst scoring defence in the league, which belongs to the Utah Jazz. Utah allows 127.1 PPG.

When he last faced the Jazz, back in early November, Brown went 0-for-9 from deep … but he still managed to rack up 36 points.

Key stat: Brown has 30+ points in 12 of his past 13 games and is averaging 32.5 PPG in that span.

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Best NBA picks

Clifford over 7.5 points (–132): Clifford has been on the right side of the Sacramento Kings’ war of attrition lately, and he’s done enough to earn my trust on this line.

Sacramento is still missing two of its top-three scorers (Domantas Sabonis, Zach LaVine), and its fourth-leading scorer, Keegan Murray, is questionable.

Clifford, who balled out at Colorado State but wasn’t immediately effective in his rookie season, is starting to come around. With some key players out, he has now played 20+ minutes in six straight games.

In that six-game span, here’s how he fared:

• 9.8 PPG
• 5-1 vs. this prop
• 43.1 FG%
• 30.4 3PT%

-> Full betting markets for Tuesday’s NBA slate

Those shooting numbers aren’t great, but they’re a step up from where he’d been in his first 22 games: 37.8 FG%, 27.5 3PT%.

Clifford will face a Los Angeles Clippers squad that allows the eighth-most points to opposing shooting guards, per Fantasy Pros.

NBA player prop predictions

Cunningham 10+ assists (-113): While Brown is the hottest scorer in the NBA right now, Cunningham is the league’s most active passer.

• Over his past 10 games, Cunningham is averaging an NBA-high 19.2 potential assists (i.e., passes that lead directly to a shot). Those have converted to 10.5 assists per game.

• On the season, Cunningham is averaging 9.6 APG (second in the NBA). He is 15-14 vs. this prop.

-> Bet on Cade Cunningham in tonight’s Pistons vs. Lakers matchup!

Cunningham has 49 assists through four games on Detroit’s West Coast swing. Now, he’ll have a Los Angeles Lakers squad that allows the eighth-most assists to opposing point guards.

Last year, Cunningham went 2-0 vs. this prop when facing the Lakers.

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

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The Dallas Mavericks and Portland Trail Blazers close out Monday’s slate of NBA action.

The pregame narrative: The Mavericks enter tonight’s game after back-to-back losses, while the Trail Blazers are feeling good following an upset win over the Boston Celtics. Still, I’m looking to fade Portland as a favourite in what I expect to be a low-scoring game.

Check out my Mavericks vs. Trail Blazers SGP predictions for Dec. 29, featuring a prop bet on Deni Avdija.

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Mavericks vs. Trail Blazers predictions

Parlay: Mavericks +6.5 | Under 237.5 points | Avdija under 25.5 points (+285)

Mavericks +6.5 (-235): This is solely a play against Portland.

The Trail Blazers have been downright dreadful as favourites this season. They own a 2-9 ATS record in this situation, with an ATS margin of -8.5 points.

Additionally, winning by seven points or more isn’t something Portland has done with any frequency this year. The Trail Blazers have failed to cover this spread in each of their last 10 games — as well as 19 of their last 21.

-> Bet on Cooper Flagg and the Mavericks!

Dallas is certainly capable of putting up a stinker, but it does own a 13-9 ATS record as an underdog this season and is 6-3 across its last nine games as a dog.

The Mavericks and Trail Blazers played earlier this season, and Dallas came out on top with a 138-133 overtime win.

NBA SGP legs

Under 237.5 points (-155): Secondly, I expect this to be a low-scoring affair.

Points are usually at a premium when bad offences square off, and these are two of the worst:

• The Trail Blazers rank 24th in offensive rating (109.8).

• The Mavericks place 28th in offensive rating (107.4).

Anthony Davis is on the injury report ahead of this contest, but even if he’s out, this is a Dallas team that can defend well.

-> Take the under at NorthStar Bets!

The Mavericks are tied for ninth in defensive efficiency (111.0).

Avdija under 25.5 points (+285): Lastly, I expect Avdija to be held in check.

Portland’s leading scorer is averaging 25.5 points per game this season and did tally 29 in his lone contest against the Mavericks.

But Avdija isn’t entering this contest in fine form.

-> Fade Avdija and bet on the NBA tonight!

The Israeli point guard has fallen short of this mark in four of his last five games and six of his last nine.

What gives me confidence in Avdija staying in check is his poor 3-point shooting recently. He enters this contest converting just 29% of his 3s over his last six games.

Dallas is ceding the lowest 3-point percentage to opponents this season (33.3%).

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The Toronto Raptors wrap up a home back-to-back on Monday night with the Orlando Magic in town.

The latest: Toronto toppled the Golden State Warriors in overtime last night at Scotiabank Arena to snap a five-game home losing skid. The Raptors went 3-1 straight up vs. the Magic last year despite being underdogs in all four games.

Check out my Magic vs. Raptors prop bets for Dec. 29, featuring predictions on Brandon Ingram and Anthony Black.

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Magic vs. Raptors prop bets

Best bet: Ingram under 1.5 threes (+123)

Judging by Ingram’s December output from 3-point land, I have no business making this prediction.

Ingram is shooting 38.0% from deep this month and averaging 2.3 makes. Still, I see a path to the under.

• For one thing, Ingram has cashed this under slightly more than half the time this season (17-16, 51.5%).

• Additionally, the Magic have a distinctly stingy 3-point defence. Opponents are attempting the fewest 3s per game against them (32.4).

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

Ingram is 1-for-15 from deep over his past two games, which is evidence that he can go ice cold in a hurry. And a substantial 3-point shot volume won’t necessarily save him.

I’m expecting the Magic to take away some of that volume tonight, leaving Ingram with a thinner margin for error from beyond the arc.

Also, Ingram surpassed 39 minutes last night for just the second time this season. A lack of rest could be a factor for tonight’s back-to-back.

Key stat: Ingram is just 3-for-13 from deep over his past four games against Orlando.

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Raptors picks and predictions

Black over 18.5 points (-118): When Franz Wagner (ankle) went down a few weeks ago, Black stepped into the starting lineup. He had a couple of slow games out of the gate, but now he’s off and running.

• Black is 6-0 vs. this prop in his past six games.

• In that six-game span, he’s averaging 24.2 PPG on 17.3 field goal attempts and shooting 48.8% from deep.

-> Wager on Monday’s 11-game NBA slate

Oh, and the third-year point guard is coming off a career game: 38 points on 14-of-24 shooting against a terrific Denver Nuggets squad.

Most folks would’ve expected Paolo Banchero to shoulder most of the scoring load for Orlando with Wagner out, but Black has been the one steering the ship.

I don’t expect his scoring line to stay this low for much longer.

Magic vs. Raptors prop bets made at 11:35 a.m. ET on Dec. 29, 2025.

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