Category: NBA

The Detroit Pistons are the hottest team in the NBA, and they’ll look to continue rolling on Saturday night against the shorthanded Milwaukee Bucks.

The pregame narrative: Giannis Antetokounmpo (groin) is out for the Bucks, who are 8-point home underdogs against a Detroit team that has won 11 straight games. The Pistons are 9-2 ATS during their win streak.

Check out my Pistons vs. Bucks SGP predictions for Nov. 22, featuring Jalen Duren and Ryan Rollins.

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Pistons vs. Bucks predictions

Parlay: Duren over 17.5 points | Rollins 20+ points | Pistons -4.5 (+375)

Duren over 17.5 points (-121): Duren’s scoring numbers have exploded this season, as he’s up to 20.6 PPG through 13 games.

In 78 games last year, he averaged 11.8 PPG.

How has the fourth-year centre nearly doubled his scoring average? Yes, he’s taking more field goal attempts, but the real answer is at the free throw line.

• So far this season, Duren is averaging 7.3 free throw attempts and has a 77.9 FT%.

• In his first three years combined, he averaged 2.8 attempts and posted a 69.1 FT%.

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The Bucks allow the fourth-most free throws per game. So if Duren is looking to draw contact, I expect that he will.

In November, Duren is averaging 24.3 PPG and is 7-1 vs. this point total.

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NBA SGP legs

Rollins 20+ points (-152): Like Duren, Rollins is a fourth-year pro who’s having an impact at the game’s highest level.

But unlike Duren, Rollins was a late second-round pick from an unheralded basketball program who was a rather anonymous player prior to this season.

But it’s time to learn the name.

The former Toledo guard is shooting 44.3% from deep so far this year while starting in 15 of 16 games for the Bucks. He only had 19 starts through his first three seasons in the NBA.

-> Back Jalen Duren and Ryan Rollins on Saturday night

Rollins matched a season-high with 32 points last time out in his second game playing without Giannis. In the first game without Giannis, Rollins had 25 points on 10-of-15 shooting.

Giannis is out again tonight, and Rollins should see a significant shot volume as a result. He’s 4-1 vs. this scoring milestone in his past five games.

Pistons -4.5 (-182): Giannis’ absence is a notable part of why I like the visiting Pistons with some points on Saturday.

But even with Giannis, the Bucks haven’t been anything more than a middling team. The Pistons, on the other hand, have been excellent.

• Detroit sits atop the Eastern Conference and has the fourth-highest net rating in the NBA (+6.7).

• Entering Saturday, the Pistons are on an 11-game win streak. They’ve covered this number in 10 of those games.

Milwaukee (8-8) ranks 19th in net rating (-1.4) and is 2-8 ATS in its past 10 games.

Pistons vs. Bucks predictions made at 11:32 a.m. ET Nov. 22, 2025.

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Jalen Johnson has been exactly what the Atlanta Hawks have needed this month, and I’m backing him to continue balling out on Saturday night.

Today’s NBA props narrative: Johnson and the Hawks are on the road vs. the New Orleans Pelicans, who rank 26th in defensive rating. Later on, look for DeMar DeRozan to have a significant role for the Sacramento Kings.

Check out my top NBA prop picks for Nov. 22, featuring a fade on Memphis Grizzlies shooting guard Jaylen Wells.

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NBA prop picks Nov. 22

Best bet: Wells under 1.5 threes (+102)

My only guess for why this is priced at plus-money is that Wells has chucked quite a few 3-pointers this season.

The second-year shooting guard has attempted 5.2 threes per game, which is the most among Grizzlies players.

But just because you shoot ’em, it doesn’t mean they’re going to go in. And Wells’ miserable efficiency so far is a big reason why I like this under.

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• Wells has shot 24-for-83 (28.9%) from deep so far.

• Among players who’ve appeared in at least five games and are averaging at least 5.0 attempted 3s, Wells’ 3PT% ranks 89th out of 95.

Wells went over this 3s total in back-to-back games to start the season … but he’s hit the under in 10 of 14 games since.

And though he could burn me with an inefficient, high-volume shooting spree beyond the arc, things aren’t trending that way. He’s averaging 4.4 attempts this month, so there’s been some regression from his October volume (6.5 3PA).

Also, Wells’ matchup against the Dallas Mavericks is a perfect one to fade the shooting guard in.

The Mavs have allowed the fewest 3s per game in the NBA this season (11.4) on the fifth-lowest 3PT% (32.8).

Key stat: Dallas allows the fifth-fewest 3s to opposing SGs, according to Fantasy Pros.

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Best NBA picks

DeRozan over 17.5 points (-124): The Denver Nuggets are one of the NBA’s best defensive teams — and best teams overall — but this is still a number DeRozan should be able to clear.

Back on Remembrance Day, the ex-Raptor scored 18 points on a team-high 15 shots for the Kings. And that was while playing alongside Domantas Sabonis, who went 8-for-12 from the floor.

-> Bet on ex-Raptor DeMar DeRozan vs. the Nuggets tonight!

Sabonis (knee) is out right now, which should clear the runway for DeRozan to take at least as many shots as last time.

In five games this calendar year, DeRozan is 5-0 vs. this points prop when facing the Nuggets. He’s averaging 23.6 PPG on 21.2 field goal attempts.

DeRozan is also 11-5 vs. this prop so far this season.

NBA player prop predictions

Johnson over 23.5 points (-115): Johnson has really taken ownership of the Hawks’ offence in the absence of Trae Young, and things are going quite well.

Young has missed each of Atlanta’s 11 games from Halloween onward, and the team is 7-4 in that span. Johnson has averaged 23.0 PPG in that time on 58.1/.45.9/78.8 shooting splits.

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Johnson’s past five games have been particularly stellar:

• 26.2 PPG
• 61.3 FG%
• 59.1 3PT%
• 38+ minutes in 4 of 5

Oh, and he’s averaging 11.6 rebounds and 9.0 assists in those five games, too.

Johnson’s do-it-all profile justifies his huge minutes totals, and Atlanta should continue leaning on him to drive the offence.

NBA prop picks made at 9:40 a.m. ET on Nov. 22, 2025.

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With a sixth consecutive win in their sights, the Toronto Raptors host the lowly Washington Wizards on Friday night.

The latest: It’s still fairly early, but Washington (1-13) is winning the race to the bottom in the NBA right now. And given the Wizards’ NBA-worst net rating (-15.7), it’s no surprise to see the Raptors has heavy home favourites in this matchup.

Check out these Wizards vs. Raptors prop picks for the game on Nov. 21, featuring Jakob Poeltl and RJ Barrett.

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Wizards vs. Raptors prop picks

Best bet: Poeltl over 13.5 points (-110)

There are a lot of mouths to feed on this Raptors team, and Poeltl isn’t particularly high on the pecking order.

But he’s been a bit more active as a scorer lately, and this matchup is as good as it gets.

• In his past four games, Poeltl has averaged 18.5 points and is 3-1 vs. this points prop. He’d been 1-6 against it in his first seven games.

• The Wizards allow the second-most PPG to opposing centres (25.89), per Fantasy Pros.

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In an age where basketball can feel position-less, Poeltl is a throwback centre who lives around the rim in the offensive halfcourt.

Aside from a handful of short midrange looks, his attempts come exclusively from within an arm’s length of basket. He doesn’t attempt any 3s.

Washington allows the fifth-most shots around the rim on a rate basis (34.4%), according to Cleaning The Glass. And the Wizards allow the most points per game overall (128.9).

At seven feet and 245 pounds, Poeltl will have a size advantage all night tonight.

The Wizards are dealing with some frontcourt injury issues that leave 22-year-old Tristan Vukcevic (6-foot-10, 223 pounds) and 19-year-old Will Riley (6-foot-8, 190 pounds) as their biggest bodies down low.

Key stat: Last year, Poeltl went 2-1 vs. this prop when facing the Wizards, averaging 18.0 PPG across those games.

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Additional NBA prop predictions

Barrett over 28.5 points/rebounds/assists (-121): I’m looking for one more way to try to capitalize on the Wizards’ league-worst scoring defence, and this seems like a good spot to land.

Barrett is averaging 19.3 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.9 assists, which equates to 28.0 PRA. So he’ll only need to be a tick above average to cash this bet.

-> Bet on Barrett and Poeltl here!

Here’s how opposing small forwards have fared vs. the Wizards this year:

• 2nd-most PPG
• 3rd-most RPG
• 4th-most APG

It’s a smash matchup that Barrett has excelled in before.

Since joining the Raptors, he’s 3-0 vs. this prop when facing the Wizards at home — averaging 34.7 PRA in those games.

Wizards vs. Raptors prop bets made at 9:28 a.m. ET on Nov. 21, 2025.

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The Memphis Grizzlies host the Sacramento Kings on Thursday night in a battle of Western Conference bottom feeders.

The pregame narrative: Memphis has lost five in a row and Sacramento has lost seven in a row, so the vibes aren’t great for either side right now. Ja Morant is out again for the Grizzlies, who are modest home favourites.

Check out my Kings vs. Grizzlies SGP predictions for Nov. 20, featuring Cedric Coward and Domantas Sabonis.

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Kings vs. Grizzlies predictions

Parlay: Grizzlies ML | Coward 15+ points | Sabonis 10+ rebounds (+300)

Grizzlies moneyline (-137): The beauty of tonight’s game is that someone has to win.

Neither Memphis (4-11) nor Sacramento (3-12) has been doing a lot of winning lately. I do prefer the Grizzlies’ side tonight for a few reasons:

• Sacramento is on a seven-game losing streak, and each of its losses during the streak came by 13+ points.

• Memphis has a slightly better net rating than Sacramento (-8.0 vs. -10.7).

• The Grizzlies are 3-5 SU at home, while the Kings are 1-7 SU on the road.

• Home teams went 3-0 in this head-to-head matchup last year.

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The Grizzlies have a rest advantage over the Kings, who lost big in Oklahoma City last night.

It’s easy to find ways to talk down about both of these teams, but Memphis seems better-situated of the two tonight.

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NBA SGP legs

Coward 15+ points (-132): One source of hope for the Grizzlies as a franchise is the strong start by Coward. The rookie has 47.7/40.6/90.0 shooting splits through his first 15 NBA games.

Coward is averaging 14.3 PPG so far, so he’s not quite up to this threshold on a nightly basis. But he has at least 12 points in 11 of 15 games so far.

Part of the reason I like Coward to hit this scoring milestone is that I expect this to be a fast-paced game.

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The Kings and Grizzlies rank fifth and seventh, respectively, in possessions per game (i.e., pace). Coward has a fairly steady shot volume, and I’m hoping he can add to it a bit in this environment. He has at least nine field goal attempts in 12 of 15 games, and he’s averaging 3.3 attempted free throws.

Last time out, in his second game as a starter, Coward scored 19 points on a season-high 15 field goal attempts.

Sabonis 10+ rebounds (-315): Sabonis rested last night on the front end of Sacramento’s back-to-back and should return to action against Memphis.

This should be a very safe milestone for the three-time reigning rebounds leader. Dating back to the start of the 2022-23 season, Sabonis is averaging 13.2 RPG.

When he last faced the Grizzlies in March, Sabonis left early with an ankle injury and failed to hit this milestone. But he cashed it in 13 straight games vs. Memphis prior to that.

Kings vs. Grizzlies predictions made at 11:30 a.m. ET Nov. 20, 2025.

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There are three 8 p.m. ET tip-offs in the NBA on Thursday night, and I’m targeting two of them for some prop bets.

Today’s NBA props narrative: The San Antonio Spurs host the Atlanta Hawks in a matchup that’s missing some key scorers. But in the wake of some absences, De’Aaron Fox and Jalen Johnson both have prime opportunities to ball out.

Check out my top NBA prop picks for Nov. 20, featuring a prediction on Sacramento Kings guard Malik Monk.

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NBA prop picks Nov. 20

Best bet: Monk over 12.5 points (-113)

I love this line for Monk, who’s 8-4 vs. this number.

The veteran shooting guard, who typically plays about 25 minutes off the bench, scored 15+ points in every game in which he hit the over.

A pair of dud performances (zero points, two points) have dragged down his scoring average — but he’s still at 13.3 PPG.

The Kings are on a back-to-back tonight, and I’m hoping that doesn’t change anything about Monk’s usage. In his lone game on zero rest this season, he scored 15 points on 7-of-10 shooting in 28 minutes.

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If Monk gets his typical minutes total tonight, this should be a smash play.

• Monk’s Kings face the Memphis Grizzlies, who allow the third-most points to shooting guards, per Fantasy Pros.

• The Kings and Grizzlies rank fifth and seventh, respectively, in pace this season. That means both sides should be willing to play quickly, and a high-possession game means plenty of scoring opportunities.

Last year, Monk absolutely toasted the Grizzlies. He shot 52.8% from the floor and scored 23, 31 and 28 points across three matchups against them.

Key stat: Monk has averaged north of 13.0 PPG in all four seasons with the Kings (15.2 PPG overall since joining the team in 2022-23).

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Best NBA picks

Johnson over 39.5 points/rebounds/assists (-113): There are big names missing from both sides of tonight’s Hawks/Spurs matchup, which is part of the reason I expect Johnson to breeze past this line.

Trae Young (knee) will sit again for the Hawks, while Victor Wembanyama (calf) is out for the Spurs.

Without Young, Johnson should continue to run the show on offence for Atlanta. And without Wembanyama, he’ll face less resistance on his way to the rim.

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Johnson has now played nine games without Young, and he’s 6-3 vs. this prop. In those matchups, the 23-year-old forward has averaged 22.7 points, 10.6 rebounds and 7.6 assists (40.9 PRA).

The Spurs rank fifth in the NBA in defensive rating, but playing without Wemby — as well as Stephon Castle — makes a huge difference.

NBA player prop predictions

Fox over 2.5 threes (+128): At this price, Fox is worth taking a flier on after cashing this bet three games in a row.

The point guard has attempted exactly eight 3s in three straight games, going 11-for-24 (45.8%) from deep in that span. If that volume persists, this will look like a bargain.

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Fox was injured at the start of the year and has only played six games. He’s attempted at least five 3s in each of them, so there’s a decent floor to work with here.

In three games against the Hawks last year, split between his time with the Kings and Spurs, Fox shot 9-for-19 from deep and went 2-1 vs. this line.

NBA prop picks made at 9:20 a.m. ET on Nov. 20, 2025.

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