Welcome to the NBA Best Bets today for Tuesday, December 3rd. Today is the first day in the seventh week of the Association. It also happens to be the last Group Stage games of the 2024 Emirates NBA Cup. There are impactful matchups on the NBA schedule and some groups are already decided – but the games are guaranteed to be intense. Let's find some winning NBA picks and predictions for Tuesday night. 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

 

 

 

NBA Picks, Predictions & Best Bets Today, 12/3

What in the heck happened to Anthony Edwards yesterday? The Minnesota Timberwolves absolutely destroyed the Los Angeles Lakers – and did so without much help from Edwards. He scored a whopping 8 points in 27 minutes played, which is almost unbelievable. Edwards made just three field goals in easily his worst performance of the season.

Not to fear, the other three bets came through like a cup of hot cocoa on a cold December day. The Boston Celtics won the race to 10 points, Clint Capela gave us two consecutive winning tickets with over 10 rebounds, and Nic Claxton got nowhere near the 11 rebounds required.

Over one unit was gained to close out the sixth week of the NBA, which is always the goal.

 

 

 

Trail Blazers vs. Clippers Prediction: Tuesday, December 3rd

*2.0 Unit BET OF THE NIGHT

James Harden is, without question, one of the best basketball players of all time. I was a naysayer for most of his career, but there is no denying it. He is carrying the Los Angeles Clippers and playing without fellow future Hall of Fame teammates has allowed him to truly shine. 

He’s big, he’s aggressive, but the most impressive aspect of Harden's game is his intelligence. He knows how to draw fouls (like it or not), he knows how to create space or get his own attempt, and he has made more threes than anyone not named Stephen Curry. Second all-time in made threes, and he is attempting several this season. 

Harden has made 3 or more threes in five straight games, and during this stretch, he's attempted 50 threes. That is an average of 10 per game. He recently went over 3,000 career made threes and the Clippers are hosting the Portland Trail Blazers tonight 

The Blazers allow 114.7 points per game, with a -7.5 point differential. The Clippers only average 109.3 points per game, but Harden and Norman Powell are their best two scorers. They have accounted for more than half of the Clippers' points in some games this season. 

Harden is playing at an MVP level. He simply needs to maintain his threes attempted and his averages against a team that will not apply much defensive pressure. Put two units on today’s Bet of the Night.

 

 

 

Magic vs. Knicks Prediction: Tuesday, December 3rd

The Orlando Magic have an opportunity to get past the group stage, win or lose. However, winning East Group A would have more prestige to it, and they could possibly host the wild card team. 

Should they lose tonight, they can still get in as they currently have the greatest point differential at +60. It would take a lot for either the Detroit Pistons, Milwaukee Bucks, or Boston Celtics to overcome that much of a point differential. 

Tonight at Madison Square Garden against the Knicks, they are slight underdogs. That has not stopped them from defying the odds this season. The Magic are FOR REAL, and they need to be considered as a legitimate team to not only win tonight, not just win the NBA Cup, but to hoist the Larry O’Brien. They are that complete of a team.

The Knicks are a much better offensive team, but the Magic are a much better defensive team. The Knicks have won six games at home this season, and the Magic have won six games on the road this season. Orlando has also won six games in a row. They are being disrespected and have a great opportunity to win this one. Put a unit on them to cover the spread at near-even odds. 

 

 

 

Best NBA Prop Bets & Other Picks Today, 12/3

There are two more player props today. One that should be an easy cover and one at great odds that can not be ignored. 2.5 units on two players that were All-Stars last year.

 

 

 

Bucks vs. Pistons Prediction: Tuesday,. December 3rd

Giannis Antetokounmpo was once a frequent mention in this column. It took a long time for the Bucks to find a rhythm, but they are playing sweet music now. The Milwaukee Bucks have won six games in a row, and are undefeated in the 2024 NBA Cup.

Antetokounmpo’s NBA resume is one most players dream about, but NBA Cup Champion is not on there. The Bucks play the Detroit Pistons and with a win would clinch East Group B. He has been playing well this entire season, and he will have the rebounding advantage in tonight’s game.

Antetokounmpo earned 12 rebounds in his most recent game, and 14 in his most recent game against the Pistons. The Pistons center Jalen Duren has sporadic minutes, and his numbers are inconsistent due to it. Antetokounmpo should have no issues with the Pistons front court in such an important game. 

 

 


 

Pacers vs. Raptors Prediction: Tuesday, December 3rd

Scottie Barnes is back and making an immediate impact for the Toronto Raptors. He has played 32 or more minutes in his last five games and has 10 or more rebounds in his last four games.

Barnes has also recorded one triple-double and has gotten close several other times. He has six career triple-doubles and against an Indiana Pacers team that plays with pace, he has better odds of achieving it. 

The Pacers allow 119.0 points per game while the Raptors allow 116.8 points per game. This should be a high-scoring game and the predicted total is 238.5 points. Barnes is the best player in this matchup and will be the driving force for everything the Raptors do offensively.

Barnes' double-double line is at -105 but his rebounding line is at +110. That is why we are slamming two units on his rebounding line at plus money. A half-unit is suggested for the triple-double at +650 odds because the data indicates it is possible. He is a rebounding machine. Around this time last year, this column won eight Barnes rebounding bets in a row… We just need two winners tonight. Trust Barnes with a big payoff to start the week. 

 

 

 

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