The 2024-25 NBA season is in full swing. Make sure you check out the fantastic work of Jonathan Von Tobel, who will be writing NBA deep-dive features for us this year. And try to listen to A Numbers Game every morning, as Kelley Bydlon often dishes out his favorite NBA picks. But I’ll be giving out NBA best bets and player props here as often as possible, and I’ll also occasionally write up features on big news that shakes up the league. So, make sure you check out my work throughout the season. With that out of the way, let’s get into some NBA best bets and NBA player props for Saturday, December 21st. Also, make sure you check out the picks page (linked right below) before games tip off. I occasionally add picks throughout the day.
MORE: Check out our Pro Picks page for everything our experts have on December 21st
NBA Best Bets Today – December 21st
New York Knicks at New Orleans Pelicans – 8:00 pm ET
It’s tough betting against this Knicks team. When New York is hot, the team is absolutely impossible to beat. However, this number feels a little off to me. The Knicks are just 7-8 against the spread on the road this season, and this is the third game of a three-game road trip. There’s a good chance New York is just looking to get back home, meaning the team could be lacking in energy. Also, New Orleans isn’t as bad as it has looked recently. Sure, the Pelicans are without Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson, but Dejounte Murray, CJ McCollum, Trey Murphy III, Herb Jones and Yves Missi are all good players. And it really shouldn’t matter that New Orleans is lacking depth behind them in this game, as New York doesn’t have any either. So, if Willie Green is willing to play his guys big minutes, the Pelicans will be in good shape in the talent department here.
I also think New Orleans’ ball pressure will get to New York here. Under Tom Thibodeau, the Knicks are just 13-16 both straight-up and ATS when facing teams that average 9.0 or more steals per game. Also, the Pelicans are 6-5 ATS as home underdogs of 6.5 to 12 points under Green. They’re also capable of taking advantage of shaky defensive teams, as they’re 91-75-2 ATS versus teams that allow shooting percentages of 46.0% or higher in that span.
Bet: Pelicans +8.5 (-110 – 1.5 units)
NBA Player Props Today – December 21st
Utah Jazz at Brooklyn Nets – 7:30 pm ET
A lot of people think the Nets are going to buy Ben Simmons out of his contract, and it’s still entirely possible they make that call. But until then, Simmons should be able to put up some numbers. With Dennis Schroder having been traded to the Warriors, there’s a lot of on-ball opportunities to go around for Brooklyn — especially with Cam Thomas also out. Well, Simmons has taken advantage of the increased role lately. Over the last two games, he’s averaging 11.0 points, 7.5 assists and 4.5 rebounds per game. That’s good for 23.0 combined points, rebounds and assists per game. That said, as long as Simmons comes close to playing 30 or so minutes, he should be able to fill up the stat sheet — especially against a Jazz team that doesn’t defend very well.
Bet: Simmons Over 22.5 Points + Rebounds + Assists (-115 – 1.5 units)
Parlays/Teasers/Late Added Plays/In-Season Futures
PARLAY: Kings ML vs. Lakers & Timberwolves ML vs. Warriors (+137)
5PT TEASER: Clippers +8.5 vs. Mavericks & Suns -0.5 vs. Pistons (+100 – 1.5 units)
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2024-25 NBA Record: 123-113 (+8.84 units)
