Now that the weekend is here, it’s time to simplify the grind. Instead of splitting sides/totals and player props into separate pieces, my weekend columns will bring everything under one roof — a streamlined look at my favorite bets for the day’s slate. Fewer words, hopefully the same results. Keep reading for my NBA picks and predictions for Sunday, December 21.
RELATED: Check out the Pro Picks page for more selections from our talented VSiN hosts and analysts!
NBA Best Bets Today (Sides/Totals)
PARLAY: Hawks ML vs. Bulls & Knicks ML vs. Heat (+103 – 1.5 units)
Bulls at Hawks – 3:30 pm ET
Heat at Knicks – 6:00 pm ET
There isn’t much I like when looking at sides or totals for tonight, but I do have leans on both the Hawks and Knicks. So, rather than play the two teams to cover, I’m throwing them into a two-legger at plus-money odds.
Chicago does come into today’s game having won three of its last four, but Atlanta has a relatively clean injury report — outside of Kristaps Porzingis, who remains out with the illness that derailed his 2024-25 season. That should mean we’ll see a stronger Hawks team, and that’s especially true with the team having lost three of its last four. Atlanta should be eager to get back in the win column, and playing at home against a bad team gives the group a great opportunity to do just that. The Hawks are 14th in the NBA in adjusted offensive rating (114.3) and 16th in adjusted defensive rating (16th). The Bulls are nowhere near them in either category, ranking 23rd in aORTG (112.6) and 25th in aDRTG (117.2).
In the second game, it’s hard to imagine the Knicks struggling with the Heat. Miami will be playing without Tyler Herro, Nikola Jovic, and Pelle Larsson. The Heat also have Davion Mitchell and Andrew Wiggins listed as questionable. Meanwhile, the Knicks are pretty healthy, so we’re hoping the best team in the East can beat a banged-up opponent. I feel really good about this one — especially with New York coming off a loss at home.
NBA Player Props Today
Nic Claxton Over 26.5 Points + Rebounds + Assists (-109) vs. Raptors
Raptors at Nets – 6:00 pm ET
Claxton has been filling up the stat sheet lately. Since the start of December, he’s averaging 13.3 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game for a Brooklyn team that has been surprisingly competitive. That’s 28.7 combined points, rebounds, and assists for the month, meaning he’s averaging a little more than tonight’s total over the last seven games. Claxton has also faced the Raptors twice this season, averaging 28.5 points, rebounds, and assists in the two contests. This is just a good matchup for the big man. Toronto is 26th in the NBA at defending pick-and-roll roll men, and the Raptors are also just 22nd in the NBA at defending at the basket. Claxton should make them pay for both as a scorer, but I also like him to chip in with rebounds and assists. He has actually had double-digit potential assists in three straight games.
Carlton “Bub” Carrington Over 10.5 Points (-101) vs. Spurs
Spurs at Wizards – 7:00 pm ET
Carrington has scored at least 11 points in five consecutive games, and he has actually had at least 14 points in four of the five. He’s really in a nice groove at the moment, making him a player I was looking to back tonight. The matchup is pretty strong too. The Spurs are 26th in the NBA at guarding pull-up jumpers, which account for 50% of Carrington’s scoring. San Antonio is also last in the NBA when it comes to defending long mid-range jumpers, which make up 18% of Carrington’s points. I just wouldn’t be surprised if this is another strong game for the talented guard. Let’s just hope Washington can keep it close, as a blowout could end up derailing this thing.
Reed Sheppard Over 12.5 Points (-114) vs. Kings
Rockets at Kings – 10:00 pm ET
I’m a little nervous about the Rockets blowing out the Kings tonight, but Sheppard’s point total still feels too low to pass up tonight. The guard is coming off a 28-point performance against Denver last game, and he now gets to carry that momentum into a meeting with a terrible Sacramento defense. Sheppard should do some damage in the short mid-range area, where the Kings are 29th in the league defensively. He scores a good chunk of his points there. However, he should also do a ton of work as a shooter. Sacramento’s defense is very unorganized, so Sheppard should get some clean looks from 3. It’s just hard not to feel like a 28-point performance against an elite Western Conference team can be a turning point for Sheppard. It’s time Ime Udoka fully unleashes him.
2025-26 NBA Record: 195-177 (+16.83 units)
