Expert NBA Best Bets and Player Props Today – Saturday, December 16th
The 2023-24 NBA season has begun and we’re excited over here at VSiN. As always, Jonathan Von Tobel will be providing you with his exceptional coverage of the greatest league in the world. Just click here for all of his content. However, all of my picks will be featured in this daily column, which will combine my best bets and player props. I’ll be doing this every single day of the week — although it’ll be a little shorter on the weekends. So, keep reading to find out how I’m playing the NBA slate on Saturday, December 16. Also, check out our NBA Odds page for the latest line movement.
MORE: Check out our Pro Picks page for everything our experts have on December 16
2023 Record: 91-74-1 (+16.02 units)
NBA Best Bets Today – December 16
Detroit Pistons at Milwaukee Bucks – 6:10 pm ET
I’m taking the bait and playing the Pistons to cover this massive spread. Detroit was unable to do it against the Philadelphia 76ers last night, but that’s a Sixers team that is sixth in the league in adjusted defensive rating (all adjusted numbers from Dunks & Threes). However, the Bucks are still one of the worst defensive teams in the league, so they’ll make a lousy Pistons offense look better than it is. Milwaukee is also just 5-8 against the spread when playing at home this season. And I have doubts about whether or not the Bucks will get up for this game. They only beat the Pistons by two earlier in the year, and that was a game in which they let the Pistons hang around for far too long.
Bet: Pistons +17.5 (-115)
Chicago Bulls at Miami Heat – 8:10 pm ET
These teams played the other night and the Bulls came away with a 124-116 road victory. Chicago has now gone 5-2 straight-up and 6-1 ATS in its last seven games. This team has just been playing some inspired basketball over the last few weeks, and that has a lot to do with Zach LaVine going down with an injury. The Bulls have deployed DeMar DeRozan as the team’s primary ball handler, and they have also asked a lot more of Coby White. Both players have been delivering in big ways, and the team has continued to play some solid defense. With that in mind, I like Chicago to hang around with Miami again here. It’s just hard to ignore that Bam Adebayo is out for the Heat again. He is so important for this Miami team, as he’s an All-Defense candidate and a key hub offensively.
Bet: Bulls +5.5 (-115)
New York Knicks at Los Angeles Clippers – 10:30 pm ET
These teams are both capable of turning in great offensive performances, and we just saw one from the Knicks last night. But they’re also two teams that can really lock in defensively. This season, New York is just 15th in the league in adjusted defensive rating, but that number is low compared to what the team is capable of. Meanwhile, Los Angeles is eighth in the league in adjusted defensive rating. With that in mind, I do think we’ll see both teams flex their defensive muscles here. These are also two of the slower teams in the league when it comes to pace of play. So, I’m willing to take a shot on the Under in this spot.
Bet: Under 228.5 (-105)
NBA Player Props Today – December 16
Atlanta Hawks at Cleveland Cavaliers – 7:30 pm ET
Without Darius Garland and Evan Mobley, this Cavaliers team is starving for offense. With that in mind, I think Donovan Mitchell will have the ultimate green light over the next few weeks. And he couldn’t possibly have a better matchup than this one, as the Hawks have one of the worst defensive backcourts in the NBA and the team is just 25th in the league in adjusted defensive rating. The latter is especially significant when you consider that Atlanta is third in the league in pace of play. This Hawks team wants to get up and down, which means Mitchell will have plenty of opportunities to create offense for his team. In his only other meeting with Atlanta this season, Mitchell had 40 points and five assists in 35 minutes. So, I like the Over on his player combo quite a bit here.
Bet: Mitchell Over 38.5 Points + Assists (-118)
Added Plays
Blazers +5 (-110) vs. Mavericks
Jazz +8.5 (-110) vs. Kings
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