Predictions & Picks, NBA Best Bets for Tuesday, Dec. 2
Summary
The Portland Trail Blazers, struggling with a 2-8 recent record and poor defense, face the Toronto Raptors. Toronto has lost two straight but boasts a strong home record and improved defense, especially with RJ Barrett injured. The prediction is for a low-scoring game, favoring the Under.
The Oklahoma City Thunder, on a 12-game win streak with elite offense and defense, are heavy favorites against the Stephen Curry-less Golden State Warriors. Despite OKC’s dominance, the bet is that Golden State can cover the large spread. Another preview predicts a tight, defensive battle between the New York Knicks and Boston Celtics, also favoring the Under.
Portland Trail Blazers vs. Toronto Raptors 7:30 p.m. EST
| Spread | ML | Total | |
| Trail Blazers | +5 (-110) | +180 | O232 (-110) |
| Raptors | -5 (-110) | -220 | U232 (-110) |
Portland Trail Blazers (8-12)
Portland has lost two in a row and 7 of the last ten games as they head to Toronto.
Forward Deni Avdija has been the Trail Blazers’ best player, averaging 25.8 PPG, 7.1 REB, and 5.8 APG this season, but turns the ball over 3.5 times per game. The Trail Blazers have been allowing 123 PPG in the last ten games and give up the sixth most points per game (121.2).
Toronto Raptors (14-7)
After winning nine in a row, the Raptors are in a funk, losing two straight road games (Charlotte, New York). After averaging 119 PPG during their nine-game win streak, the Raptors have been held to under 100 points in two of their last four. A big reason has been the loss of RJ Barrett, who has been dealing with a knee sprain for the past week. The Raptors are scoring just 103 PPG in the four games he’s missed.  Brandon Ingram has been leading the way, averaging 21.5 points, 3.7 assists, and 5.7 boards, while Scottie Barnes is chipping in with 19.9 points and 8 rebounds
Injuries
Raptors: RJ Barrett: out (knee), Jakob Poeltl: out (injury management).
Trail Blazers: Donovan Clingan: day to day (illness), Scoot Henderson: out (hamstring), Matisse Thybulle: out (thumb), Jrue Holiday: out (calf), Blake Wesley: out (foot), Damian Lillard: out for season (achilles).
Recent Betting Trends
The Trail Blazers are 6-3 ATS in the last 9 games vs. Toronto.
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Portland’s last 10 road games.
Portland is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Toronto.
Toronto has covered the UNDER in 5 straight games.
Toronto is 10-11 ATS this season.
Toronto is 7-0 SU in its last 7 games at home.
Predictions
The Raptors have been dominant at home with a 7-2 record and are in search of their 8th straight victory at Scotiabank Arena. Without Barrett, we’ve seen this team turn up the defensive game, as they allow just 112.9 PPG, fourth best in the NBA. Expect another lower-scoring game here. BEST BET: UNDER 234
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Golden State Warriors 11:00 p.m. EST
| Spread | ML | Total | |
| Thunder | -12.5 (-110) | -575 | O221.5 (-110) |
| Warriors | +12.5 (-110) | +425 | U221.5 (-110) |
Oklahoma City Thunder (20-1)
Can anyone slow down Oklahoma City? The Thunder are just toying with the competition as they go for their 13th straight win at Golden State. OKC is 10-1 on the road and 16-1 in the conference and has the third-best offense (122.2) and the top scoring defense (106.7) in the NBA. The Thunder are also No. 2 overall in defensive rebounds with 35.6 per game. Shai
Gilgeous-Alexander continues his MVP form as he is second in the league, averaging 32.5 PPG while shooting 54.5% from the field.
Golden State Warriors (11-10)
The Warriors are without Stephen Curry, who is dealing with a quadricep injury. Golden State did defeat the Pelicans since Curry’s absence, but he will be sorely missed against the defending champions. Jimmy Butler led the Warriors with 24 points, 8 rebounds, and 10 assists, while Gary Payton II added 19 points off the bench. Golden State will need big contributions from its bench players if it has any chance of sticking around in this game. In their lone meeting this season, Golden State lost 126-102 with SGA scoring 28 points in that game.
Injuries
Warriors: De’Anthony Melton: out (knee), Stephen Curry: out (quadriceps), Al Horford: out (sciatic nerve), Trayce Jackson-Davis: day to day (knee).
Thunder: Nikola Topic: out (groin), Alex Caruso: out (quad), Isaiah Hartenstein: out (ankle), Thomas Sorber: out for season (knee).
Recent Betting Trends
OKC and GS are both 10-11-0 ATS this season.
The Thunder are 2-6 ATS in the last 8 games.
Golden State is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games.
The total has gone OVER in 5 of 6 meetings at Golden State.
Predictions
With Stephen Curry still out, all signs point to OKC winning big and covering the large spread. But the Thunder have failed to cover in recent games despite having a 15.5 average margin of victory this season. Garbage time points could come into play here, so let’s take the points and hope OKC continues its recent run of not covering the spread. BEST BET: Golden State +12.5
New York Knicks vs. Boston Celtics 8:00 p.m. EST
| Spread | ML | Total | |
| Knicks | -1.5 (-110) | -120 | O229.5 (-110) |
| Celtics | +1.5 (-110) | +100 | U229.5 (-110) |
Prediction
The Celtics are at home and slight underdogs, but could have Derrick White and Nimias Queta back from injuries. The Celtics have won three of their last four and have kept games tight, as the previous three contests have all been within four points. As for the Knicks, they sit second in the conference and have won four straight heading to Boston. New York is led by Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart, but the loss of OG Anunoby makes them weaker at key positions. Expect both teams to try to slow the pace and be physical, with every point having to be earned. This should be a close finish with defense taking over late, keeping this game a low-scoring affair. BEST BET: UNDER 229.5
