NBA Best Bets Today, 12/6: Picks, Predictions & Player Props - Friday
Scottie Barnes is the only player that came through yesterday. Chris Paul was close but did not get 10 assists. Dereck Lively earned 12 rebounds, easily covering the rebounding portion of the double-double. However, he only scored 6 points in a blowout victory by the Mavericks.
Such it is, but with only 2.5 units wagered, the loss was cut short of 1 unit. Nothing drastic and nothing that cannot be overcome.
NBA Picks, Predictions & Best Bets Today, 12/6
Today’s best bets are a combination of two player props and a straight bet.
The odds have shifted since midnight, which implies either the sharks moved in, or the sportsbooks believe it is likely to happen.
Timberwolves vs. Warriors Prediction: Minnesota ML (-105 on BetMGM) *BET OF THE NIGHT
The Minnesota Timberwolves are beginning to find their rhythm, and looking more like the team from last year. They have won three in a row, are back over .500 and find themselves in the tenth spot of the competitive Western Conference.
They also have rested since their most recent game, which was in Los Angeles. White the Golden State Warriors were in a tough, competitive battle with the Houston Rockets in the latest game yesterday. They have a quick turnaround against another tough, physical team in Minnesota too.
The money line was +115 for the Timberwolves at midnight and has moved to negative odds on most if not all sportsbooks. Anthony Edwards should play better, and more, than he has in his last two games. The role players for Minnesota have really improved their game and contributed to their consistency.
Rudy Gobert will also be a mismatch against the Warriors, and this game should be won by the visiting team. The Warriors are an older roster and cannot expect Andrew Winggins to keep being the difference in winning and losing. Put a unit on the Timberwolves to win this game.
Pacers vs. Bulls Prediction: Nikola Vucevic Over 1.5 Threes Made (-135 on DraftKings)
The Well is back, and even though we tried to stay away from the juiced odds, it is simply too reliable of a pick to turn away from. This column has not mentioned his bets over his last three games, due to the lines becoming inflated.
However, Nikola Vucevic has made 2 or more threes in all three of the games we did not bet on. We missed out on money. Vucevic over 1.5 threes made has been the most profitable betting prediction of the season.
Today, we return to our favorite Montenegrin to deliver for us again. The Indiana Pacers and Chicago Bulls enjoy playing up and down basketball, and the sportsbooks know it. The total of this game is an astronomical 248.5 points, 18.5 more than the next closest game.
Vucevic could have ten or more attempts tonight from behind the arc. Put a unit on The Well to deliver again, as we should have never gone away from him.
Best NBA Prop Bets & Other Picks Today, 12/6
Of all the games today, the first ESPN game could be the best. The Milwaukee Bucks and Boston Celtics are without doubt the best teams of the Eastern Conference this decade.
They are the two teams that brought home the Larry O’Brien, and restored pride to their cities. The next player prop comes from that game.
Bucks vs. Celtics Prediction: Jayson Tatum Over 3.5 Threes Made (-120 on BetMGM)
Jayson Tatum’s line has not moved but juice has been added as the odds shifted from -110 to -120. That is okay too, that implies someone made a correction to the computer's projected totals. A little juice on Friday is not a bad thing.
This prediction needs some juice from Tatum too. He sat out in his most recent game and this line was wagered on, but voided. Now we put the unit back on the captain of the Celtics, and we are trusting his three-ball.
Tatum has made 3 or more threes in his last three games played, and seven of his last nine games. He is a versatile player, capable of scoring in many ways, but with Giannis Antetokounmpo defending the paint, points may come easier from deep. Implying there is a likelihood that his attempts increase as well.
Boston is projected to win with an -8-point spread, and Tatum should be fresh after a few days’ rest. Put a unit on the forward to continue his impressive three-point scoring and watch the game live on ESPN.
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If your bet doesn't win, you'll earn your stake back in bonus bets up to $1,500! One of today's NBA best bets comes from BetMGM, and you may apply the promotion towards a favorable plus odds proposition.
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Bet Smart, Be Lucky - Iggy
*All odds accurate at time of writing and NBA best bets to be placed at 1 unit unless specified otherwise
Player News
Buddy Hield had 15 points (5-of-14 FGs), three rebounds, one assist, one steal and four three-pointers against the Timberwolves in Game 2 on Thursday.
Hield moved into the Warriors’ starting lineup in the first round and the team became somewhat reliant on his scoring. With Stephen Curry (hamstring) out in Game 2, Hield started and played 29 minutes. The 32-year-old shooting guard led the Warriors in field goal attempts, though no one in a Golden State uniform was able to reach 20 points. The Warriors weren’t able to overcome a double-digit first half deficit. Despite the four made three-pointers, they’re going to need more from Hield as the series shifts to Golden State, especially if Curry remains out.
Jimmy Butler had 17 points (6-of-13 FGs), seven rebounds, four assists, one steal and two three-pointers against the Timberwolves in Game 2 on Thursday.
Butler couldn’t get it done without Stephen Curry (hamstring) on the road in Game 2. The Warriors fell behind by double-digits early and never recovered. Butler had 17 points on 13 shots, which wasn’t far off from the 20 points he had in Game 1. Still, the Warriors have to regroup as they head home for Games 3 and 4 as they try to figure out a way to keep this series close until Curry can return to the court.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker had 20 points (7-of-13 FGs), two rebounds, three assists, one block and four three-pointers in Game 2 against the Warriors on Thursday.
Alexander-Walker was a key scorer off the bench in Game 2. He, Naz Reid and Donte DiVencenzo combined for 10 made three-pointers off the bench. In a game where the Warriors were desperate for scoring without Stephen Curry (hamstring), those bench points were too much to overcome as the Timberwolves won by 24 points.
Julius Randle had 24 points (10-of-17 FGs), seven rebounds, 11 assists and one three-pointer in Game 2 against the Warriors on Thursday.
Randle led the Timberwolves in scoring in the Game 2 victory. The 30-year-old power forward was just three rebounds away from a triple-double. He was a steadying presence in his 33 minutes as Anthony Edwards dealt with an ankle injury towards the end of the first half. Edwards recovered from his injury to play 34 minutes, but Randle is still the next most important player in this series for the Timberwolves.
Anthony Edwards had 20 points (6-of-13 FGs), nine rebounds, five assists, three steals, one block and two three-pointers in the Timberwolves’ 117-93 victory over the Warriors in Game 2 on Thursday.
Edwards appeared to suffer a sprained left ankle towards the end of the second quarter as the Warriors’ Trayce Jackson-Davis landed on his foot. Edwards turned the same ankle in the first round against the Lakers and appeared to re-aggravate the injury. The 23-year-old shooting guard would go on to start the second half and play a team-high 34 minutes in the Game 2 victory. Edwards will only have one full day off before the series resumes in Golden State for Game 3 on Saturday.
Warriors will start Brandin Podziemski, Buddy Hield, Jimmy Butler, Draymond Green and Quinten Post in Game 2 against the Timberwolves on Thursday.
No surprise here as Curry was always a long shot to make it back for Game 2 after leaving Game 1 with hamstring injury. While there has been a report that the 37-year-old point guard is expected to miss a week, there is no firm timetable for his return. The Warriors will go big with their starting lineup for Game 2 with center Quinten Post entering the lineup in Curry’s absence.