Best NBA Bets Today: Odds & Picks for every game on Friday, December 5

Filip Tomic

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Long-time NBA fan, following the game closely for 21 years now. Joined the Pickswise writing staff for the 2020-21 season and have given out winning picks since. Hopefully we can make some money together! Oh, and I firmly believe Lebron James is not one of the two best basketball players of all time. Yeah, I said it. For Filip Tomic media enquiries, please email contact@pickswise.com.

Lakers vs Celtics Best Bet: Lakers +7 (-114)

Both teams played last night, and both were without their best players. That might be the case tonight as well, so I feel like the gap between these two teams isn’t more than 7 points.

Heat vs Magic Best Bet: Under 242.5 (-110)

Miami does play the fastest pace, but they rank only 12th in offensive efficiency. They might find it hard scoring on the 5th best defensive rated team, the Magic have kept 3 of their last 3 opponents to 112 or less points.

Read our Miami Heat vs Orlando Magic Predictions

Hornets vs Raptors Best Bet: Hornets +8.5 (-118)

Charlote won the last meeting between the two teams by 7 points, while the first one was decided in Toronto’s favor by only 2 points. The Raptors just played last night, losing in a heartbreaker to the Lakers. It might take them a while to recover.

Nuggets vs Hawks Best Bet: Nuggets -6.5 (-106)

Jamal Murray went off for 52 points the other day for Denver, plus the Hawks simply have no answer for Jokic here. Atlanta has been mediocre at best in home games this season.

Read our Denver Nuggets vs Atlanta Hawks Predictions

Trail Blazers vs Pistons Best Bet: Over 235.5 (-112)

Portland plays the 7th fastest pace while ranking only 22nd in defensive efficiency. Not an ideal combination against one of the most lethal offenses in the NBA. The over has cashed in their last 8 of 12 road games.

Spurs vs Cavaliers Best Bet: Spurs +5.5 (-110)

San Antonio has been a reliable bet winning 4 games in 5 outings, while also covering the spread in 4 of those. The Cavs are struggling with injuries, no Jarrett Allen leaves the middle exposed, I’m just not sure Donovan Mitchell can score enough points to carry them against a solid Spurs team.

Read our San Antonio Spurs vs Cleveland Cavaliers Predictions

Jazz vs Knicks Best Bet: Under 238.5 (-112)

The Jazz emptied their clip last night in Brooklyn scoring 123 points, I’m confident the Knicks will play defense in this game. The under has cashed in 8 of 10 meetings, with an average of just 220.7 points per game scored.

76ers vs Bucks Best Bet: 76ers -1 (-112)

Milwaukee is without Giannis, even if the 76ers are playing on a 2nd night of a back-to-back I still like them to cover here.

Pacers vs Bulls Best Bet: Bulls -4.5 (-114)

Time for the Bulls to turn things around against one of the worst road teams in the league. Indy has dropped all 10 away games this season, their last 2 games have seen them allow 135 points.

Read our Indiana Pacers vs Chicago Bulls Predictions

Clippers vs Grizzlies Best Bet: Clippers -1.5 (-114)

Getting rid of Chris Paul wasn’t a good look for LA, but it rallied the troops and got them a big win in Atlanta. Next up is a revenge game against the Grizzlies who beat them a week ago, expect Kawhi and Harden to do their thing here.

Suns vs Rockets Best Bet: Suns +11.5 (-108)

The spread is just too big here. Phoenix is one of the better three-point shooting teams in the NBA, whenever you have a reliable deep ball you’ll stay in a lot of games. Over the past 14 games the Suns have failed to cover just 3 times.

Read our Phoenix Suns vs Houston Rockets Predictions

Mavericks vs Thunder Best Bet: Mavericks +15.5 (-112)

Betting against the defending champs isn’t the most popular thing you can do these days, but I feel like the Mavs won’t go away without a fight here. AD is back and they’ve won 3 games in a row. Hartenstein being out leaves a gap in the middle, perhaps Davis can use that to his advantage?