Category: NBA

I’m looking for Jalen Brunson to stay active from 3-point land on Monday night as one of my three NBA prop bets.

Tonight’s NBA props narrative: Brunson is 16-for-36 (44.4%) from deep in his past three games and has some plus-money intrigue against the New Orleans Pelicans. Elsewhere, I like Nikola Jokic to put up yet another hefty assist total.

Check out my top NBA prop picks for Dec. 29, featuring a prediction on Toumani Camara.

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NBA prop picks Dec. 29

Best bet: Jokic over 10.5 assists (-136)

I know there’s some extra juice, but this line is well worth the price for the NBA’s premier passer.

• Jokic leads the league in assists per game (11.1). He’s on track for a career-high assist total after setting his career-best mark last season (10.2 APG).

• Jokic is second in the NBA in potential assists per game (18.1). On a nightly basis, he’s averaging just north of 18 passes that lead directly to a shot.

• In December, Jokic is 8-4 vs. this prop while averaging 11.3 APG.

The three-time MVP has 12+ assists in four straight games. He should extend that streak in a plus matchup tonight against the Miami Heat.

-> Bet on Jokic — the NBA MVP favourite!

On first glance, the Heat don’t seem like a great matchup because they rank fourth in defensive rating. But they are also playing at the fastest pace in the NBA, averaging 104.67 possessions per game.

With likely more possessions than he’s used to, Jokic should have more opportunities to pad his sky-high assist totals.

Just last month, the big man put up 16 assists as part of a triple-double against Miami in a 10-point win.

Key stat: Against the Heat, Jokic is 2-1 vs. this prop since the start of last season, with 40 total assists in that span.

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Best NBA picks

Camara under 13.5 points (-110): Camara has hit the 20-point mark in back-to-back games, but that’s not a large enough sample to sway me toward the over.

On the season, the power forward is averaging 12.8 points. He’s 16-16 vs. this points prop.

So it’s been a 50% hit rate this year, and I like the under in a matchup against some strong defensive bigs. The Dallas Mavericks have Cooper Flagg and Anthony Davis in their frontcourt.

-> Full betting markets for Monday’s NBA slate

Davis is questionable to play, but even if he’s out, I like Flagg and Co. to hold down the fort.

Against the Davis-less Mavericks last month, Camara finished with 11 points in 41 minutes of a high-scoring overtime loss (138-133).

Since the start of the 2023-24 season, this under is 6-2 when Camara faces Dallas.

NBA player prop predictions

Brunson 4+ threes (+150): Brunson has really ratcheted up his 3-point shot volume in the past few games, and he has the perfect matchup to keep that rolling tonight.

• In December, Brunson is attempting 8.5 threes per game. He averaged 7.5 attempts in 17 games before that.

• More notably, he has 11+ attempted 3s in each of his past three matchups. And he went 3-0 vs. this milestone prop in that span.

-> Bet on Jalen Brunson in tonight’s Knicks vs. Pelicans matchup!

New Orleans allows the most 3-point attempts per game (41.7), so why should Brunson slow down now?

I’m hoping he doesn’t, and at this price, I’ll willingly take the plunge.

NBA prop picks made at 10:05 a.m. ET on Dec. 29, 2025.

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The Sacramento Kings and Los Angeles Lakers clash on Sunday in a Western Conference showdown.

The pregame narrative: L.A. has dominated Sacramento recently, winning each of the last five head-to-head matchups. I expect Los Angeles’ hot streak to continue in a game that will likely see its fair share of points.

Check out my Kings vs. Lakers SGP predictions for Dec. 28, featuring a prop bet on Marcus Smart.

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Kings vs. Lakers predictions

Parlay: Lakers -9.5 | Over 226.5 points | Smart over 9.5 points (+300)

Lakers -9.5 (-121): Los Angeles has Sacramento’s number.

The Lakers have toppled the Kings in five consecutive showdowns, including a seven-point win in their lone matchup this year.

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That matchup was in Sacramento, however, and this one will take place at Crypto.com Arena.

This is worth noting as the Kings have been brutal on the road. Sacramento is an abysmal 3-13 as a visitor with a -9.3 point differential.

Sacramento has lost three of its last five away games by 10-plus points. Expect another lopsided loss for the Kings.

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NBA SGP legs

Over 226.5 points (-177): Los Angeles continues to be one of the best over teams in the league.

Naturally, this is what happens when you’re one of the most efficient offences and least efficient defences.

• L.A. ranks seventh in offensive efficiency (116.0).

• L.A. places 24th in defensive efficiency (115.7).

The Lakers have the second-best over record in the NBA (19-10), and have gone over this total in 10 of their last 13 outings.

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Sacramento isn’t as prolific at cashing overs, but it has gone over this mark in three of its last five games. It ranks 27th in defensive efficiency, which should mean plenty of points for the Lakers.

Smart over 9.5 points (-121): Lastly, I’m betting on an over from Smart.

The shooting guard has topped this total in three of six games this month, averaging a solid 12.7 points per game during this stretch.

-> Back Marcus Smart on Sunday night!

Smart topped this total in his lone meeting against the Kings this season, scoring 11 points.

The Kings haven’t been able to contain opposing shooting guards this season, either. Sacramento is allowing the seventh-most points per game to the position (22.7).

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The New York Knicks embark on a three-game road trip to conclude 2025, starting with a Saturday night showdown against the Atlanta Hawks.

The pregame narrative: New York swept last year’s season series against Atlanta, a team that has lost five in a row. At home, the Hawks are just 5-10 SU (4-11 ATS).

Check out my Knicks vs. Hawks SGP predictions for Dec. 27, featuring prop bets on Jalen Brunson and Jalen Johnson.

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Knicks vs. Hawks predictions

Parlay: Knicks -5.5 | Brunson 3+ threes | Johnson 10+ rebounds (+410)

Knicks -5.5 (-141): Beating the teams you’re supposed to beat will carry you a long way in pro sports.

The Knicks are absolutely doing that this season, which helps explain why they’re in second place in the Eastern Conference with January nearing.

When favoured by 5.5 points or more, New York is 12-1 ATS so far this season. The last time the Knicks laid at least that many points on the road, they won by 16 (in Toronto on Dec. 9).

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New York and Atlanta haven’t squared off yet this season, but the Knicks went 3-0 SU in this matchup last year.

Two of those wins covered this margin, including a 121-105 road victory in April.

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NBA SGP legs

Brunson 3+ threes (-152): I’m not sure I’d play this as a straight wager, only because of how juiced the prop is. But it’s right in the wheelhouse for this SGP.

• Brunson is coming off substantial 3-point shot volume in his past two games, going 12-for-25 from deep in that span. He cashed this bet easily both times.

• In six games vs. Atlanta since the start of the 2023-24 season, Brunson is 5-1 vs. this prop. He’s averaging 4.3 makes on 8.5 attempts in those matchups.

-> Back the Jalens (Brunson and Johnson) on Saturday night

The Hawks have been a down-the-middle matchup for opposing 3-point shooters this season, but I’m loving Brunson’s recent performances against them.

And for a guy averaging 3.3 threes on 39.8% shooting this month, this looks like a smash play.

Johnson 10+ rebounds (-150): Josh Hart (ankle) won’t play for New York tonight, which makes every Atlanta rebounder’s job easier.

That includes Johnson, though he’s a good pick to hit this rebounding milestone no matter who else is under the rim.

Johnson is averaging 10.4 rebounds this season and is 18-11 vs. this prop.

He’s been particularly successful on the glass recently, going 10-2 vs. this prop in his past 12 games. The 6-foot-8 forward finished with nine rebounds in both outliers.

Johnson had 42 rebounds across three matchups vs. the Knicks last year, cashing this prop all three times.

Knicks vs. Hawks predictions made at 11:30 a.m. on Dec. 27, 2025.

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The NBA MVP favourite is back in action tonight after an epic Christmas Day performance, and I’m backing him to ball out again.

Tonight’s NBA props narrative: Nikola Jokic does it all for the Denver Nuggets. On Saturday night, his assists prop is what has my eye. Elsewhere, I’m looking for Canadian Andrew Nembhard to do his part as a passer.

Check out my top NBA prop picks for Dec. 27, featuring a prediction on Derik Queen.

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NBA prop picks Dec. 27

Best bet: Nembhard over 1.5 threes (-143)

Tyrese Haliburton’s season-long injury absence is obviously a substantial negative for the Indiana Pacers.

But for those in search of a silver lining, allow me to introduce you to Nembhard’s fourth-year surge.

The Aurora, Ontario native leads the team in assists (6.5/game) and is third in points (17.4/game). In Years 1-3, he averaged 9.6 points and 4.6 assists.

Haliburton was the primary passer on last year’s Indiana squad, and he was the main 3-point shooter, too.

Though Nembhard isn’t leading the Pacers in shot volume from the outside, he has taken on far greater responsibility in that realm.

• This season: 5.0 attempts/game, 36.2 3PT%

• First three seasons: 2.9 attempts/game, 33.5 3PT%

-> See full props for Pacers vs. Heat!

I’m not wowed by Nembhard’s efficiency, but at 5.0 attempted 3s per game, he’s worth a look in this prop market.

Tonight, Nembhard will face a fast-paced Miami Heat team that averages 104.54 possessions per game (most in the NBA). The Heat allow the second-most attempted 3s to their opponents (41.2/game).

If Saturday’s game is free-flowing, look for Nembhard to put up enough 3s to give this over a good chance.

Key stat: Nembhard is 13-10 vs. this 3s prop, including 9-6 in his past 15 (with a 38.9 3PT% in that span).

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Best NBA picks

Queen under 14.5 points (-121): Queen’s New Orleans Pelicans will host the Phoenix Suns for the second time in as many nights tonight, and I think the big man is worth fading.

This has nothing to do with the fact that it’s a back-to-back, but rather that the Suns have already bottled him up twice in his rookie season.

• Last night, Queen was held to seven points on 3-for-9 shooting in a 115-108 loss.

• On Nov. 10, the ex-Maryland centre shot 5-for-10 from the floor to finish with 12 points (in a 121-98 loss).

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The Suns play at the 10th-slowest pace in the NBA and allow the ninth-fewest points. I’m not saying they have Queen figured out, per se, but their style of play mixed with their results against him so far make this under a solid pick.

Queen has gone under 14.5 points in 19 of 32 games so far.

NBA player prop predictions

Jokic over 10.5 assists (-103): This price feels like a steal for arguably the best passer in the sport.

• Jokic is averaging a league-high 18.2 potential assists, which denotes passes that lead directly to a shot. He’s also first in the NBA in actual assists (11.0/game).

• In December, Jokic is 7-4 vs. this prop.

In a win over the Orlando Magic on Dec. 18, Jokic had 13 assists as part of a triple-double. Now, coming off his best game of the season (a 56-point triple-double on Christmas Day), he’ll face the Magic again.

-> Bet on Nikola Jokic in Nuggets vs. Magic on Saturday night!

Jokic has 10+ assists in four of five games vs. Orlando since the start of the 2023-24 season. Backing him over 10.5 assists at near-even money is great value.

NBA prop picks made at 9:30 a.m. ET on Dec. 27, 2025.

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The Los Angeles Lakers host the Houston Rockets for a Christmas Day game at Crypto.com Arena.

The pregame narrative: Luka Doncic is expected to return after missing Tuesday’s game with a leg contusion. Still, the Lakers are a slight home underdog against a Rockets team with a 9-8 road record.

Check out my Rockets vs. Lakers SGP predictions for Dec. 25, featuring Doncic and Kevin Durant.

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Rockets vs. Lakers predictions

Parlay: Lakers +8.5 | Doncic over 8.5 assists | Durant 2+ threes (+265)

Lakers +8.5 (-278): Houston is far from the hottest team in basketball right now, so I still feel comfortable backing L.A. on this alt spread at home.

The Lakers have had a tough few weeks, going 4-4 in their last eight. But seven of those games were on the road, and a few were without either Austin Reaves or Doncic.

JJ Redick should have his full arsenal available at Crypto, where the Lakers have thrived this year, ranking 13th in net rating and fifth in offensive rating.

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As for the Rockets, they’ve been having their own problems.

Houston is 2-5 in its last seven games and is wrapping up a six-game road trip. I expect mental fatigue to set in for the road team, and for the Lakers to come out swinging in front of their home fans.

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NBA SGP legs

Doncic over 8.5 assists (-105): A well-rested Doncic should spell trouble for Houston.

Doncic is leading the NBA in scoring (34.1/game) while ranking fourth in assists (8.8/game). He’s played six games with three-plus days of rest, and those averages, along with his playing time, see a notable uptick:

• 37.4 PPG
• 9.0 APG
• 39.4 MPG

-> Don’t miss out — back Durant and Doncic on Christmas Day!

Houston, by and large, is one of the best defensive teams in the NBA. But it has really struggled lately, giving up a whopping 123.0 PPG in its last five (when it has gone 1-4).

For context, that would place the Rockets’ defence 27th in the NBA on a season-long basis, right behind the New Orleans Pelicans.

Durant 2+ threes (-240): Durant is shooting the lights out from beyond the arc in December, averaging 2.4 makes per game on 49.0% shooting.

The future Hall of Famer has generally been reliable against this line in the later stages of his career, averaging 2.0+ threes per game in each of the last six seasons.

KD has cleared this line in eight of his last 11 games, and gets a dream matchup to keep cooking.

The Lakers have the worst 3-point defence in the NBA (38.5%).

Rockets vs. Lakers predictions made at 10:34 a.m. on Dec. 24, 2025.

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