Happy Friday everyone, today is a loaded NBA slate. There are thirteen NBA games today, which is every team except for the team that participated in last night’s In-Season Tournament Semifinals. The Los Angeles Lakers and Indiana Pacers advanced to the In-Season Tournament Finals and should be an interesting finale to a great tournament. 

It is important to remember the injury list is a long one with 26 teams in action. Fantasy Alarm Best Bets focuses on a match with both teams recently losing an In-Season Tournament game. One of which will be without three key starters, including an MVP candidate. 

The Sacramento Kings play the Phoenix Suns with a 9:10 PM ET start. There is also a straight bet on the Chicago Bulls at San Antonio Spurs with an 8:40 PM ET tipoff in what appears to be an offline. There is also a fun proposition bet on a newfound skill for an old veteran. 

 

NBA Best Bets & Betting Picks December 8th

Best Bet of the Night

Sacramento Kings -2 (-110 at DraftKings)

The Kings lost to the New Orleans Pelicans in dramatic fashion at home three days ago. An organization, and loyal fanbase, desperate for a championship will have to wait a bit longer. They will not have to wait long for a victory though, that should come tonight against the Phoenix Suns. 

The Suns will be without three starters; Grayson Allen, Bradley Beal, and Kevin Durant in addition to Damion Lee who has been out all year. Kevin Durant alone is a massive loss for the Suns, but Grayson Allen has been hot, and Bradley Beal has been effective when on the floor. Somehow this line has not adjusted for this massive lineup swing. 

In addition to that Domantas Sabonis is a much more athletic center than Jusuf Nurkic. This should allow the Kings to be more dynamic with their scoring, especially with De'Aaron Fox and Kevin Huerter active and around the three point line. The Phoenix Suns will not be able to cover the floor against a more athletic and quicker Sacramento Kings. Trust the spread.

Prop Bet of the Night

Draymond Green OVER 0.5 Threes Made (-166 at DraftKings 2 UNITS)

Did you know Draymond Green has eighteen three point attempts in four games? That is over four attempts per game, and he has made eight during that span. He has a 44.77% three points made percentage for the season and will be asked to shoot tonight against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Golden State Warriors are a bit perplexing this year, as they are not as consistent as in years past. Klay Thompson is on and off depending on the night, and Draymond is not in the post as much as he was in previous years. Andrew Wiggins is playing his way into shape, and their bench is not deep.

However, Draymond Green’s effort and passion for the game is always on display, and never a question. He will be shooting over lanky defenders like Chet Holmgren and Josh Giddy tonight. This becomes more difficult to do the closer you get to the rim. At the end of the day, it’s one shot… just one. Green has made this one shot in five of his last seven games, and we are trusting him to do it again. 2 units!

Straight Bet of the Night

Chicago Bulls -2.5 (-110 at BetMGM)

The Chicago Bulls were the laughing stock of the NBA just one month ago, they were seeking to trade one of their All-Star players, and the talented core they put together is now without two of the premiere pieces due to injury. Lonzo Ball and Zach Lavine are both out, although Lonzo Ball has been out for the entire season. It is strange how a superteam performs better at times when one of the stars are out, but that is exactly the case for Chicago. 

Demar DeRozan and Nikola Vucevic are playing great complimentary basketball, and it is creating a rhythm. In addition, the Chicago Bulls are playing the San Antonio Spurs, who are on a fourteen-game losing streak. Confidence should be high for the Bulls, and despite a short bench, the Spurs are young and making the typical young mistakes; turnovers, miscommunication, and poor transition defense. Look for a big night from Nikola Vucevic as the Chicago Bulls power past the San Antonio Spurs.

It is worth mentioning that when writing this article Russell Westbrook’s rebounding line was not available. However, I have bet 12 units over his last two games and both have been successful. I am reluctant to say bet regardless of the line without knowing the line, but if it is 5.5 or below, place the OVER with confidence against the Utah Jazz, 2 units.

 

Remember to check out Fantasy Alarm for all your NBA fantasy needs. Basketball stats, rankings, DFS picks, tools to help your lineups, and of course the NBA DFS show with Jon and James.

Thank you for reading.
Bet Smart, Be Lucky - Iggy

*All Bets to be placed at 1 unit unless specified otherwise