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 28.
RELATED: Check out the Pro Picks page for more selections from our talented VSiN hosts and analysts!
NBA Best Bets Today (Sides/Totals)
Clippers +3.5 (-110 – 1.5 units) & Clippers ML (+136 – 0.5 units) vs. Pistons
Pistons at Clippers – 9:00 pm ET
It really feels like the Clippers are starting to find themselves. Los Angeles is on a three-game winning streak coming into this meeting with Detroit, and the Clippers have a net rating of +19.1 over this stretch. It also seems like the Clippers are getting Derrick Jones Jr. back. That’ll be a huge boost to their defense.
On Sunday, Los Angeles is hosting a Detroit team that has failed to cover in back-to-back games. The Pistons are also playing their fourth game of a five-game road trip, and this team could just be looking to get back home. Under J.B. Bickerstaff, they’re actually 7-9 against the spread when coming off three consecutive road games. Meanwhile, the Clippers are 25-21 ATS as home underdogs of 6 or less under Ty Lue.
I also just think that Los Angeles has the perimeter firepower required to make Detroit sweat. The Pistons can occasionally struggle to keep up with high-powered offenses, and James Harden and Kawhi Leonard have been balling out for the Clippers.
NBA Player Props Today
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Over 4.5 Rebounds (-125) vs. 76ers
76ers at Thunder – 3:30 pm ET
Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 6.2 rebounds per game over the last five contests, and he has had at least five boards in 16 of the 30 games he has played this year. Gilgeous-Alexander just regularly makes his mark on the glass, and I don’t see him disappearing there with Oklahoma City having lost two straight and three of the last four. This is a game in which Gilgeous-Alexander will likely try and set the tone to get his team back on track. Guards have also been pretty successful rebounding the ball against the Sixers this year.
Payton Pritchard Over 16.5 Points (-122) vs. Trail Blazers
Celtics at Blazers – 6:00 pm ET
Pritchard has scored at least 29 points in two of the last three games, so he’s absolutely cooking at the moment. Now the guard gets to face a Blazers team that is 26th in the NBA defending pick-and-roll ball handlers, 27th guarding in transition, and 24th guarding pull-up jumpers. Those are all areas where Pritchard thrives, and dangerous off-the-dribble guards have been popping off against Portland lately. Pritchard also happened to play his college basketball for Oregon, so he’ll probably be eager to get out there and play at the Moda Center.
Additional Plays (Parlays, Teasers, Futures)
PARLAY: Raptors Alt +8.5 vs. Warriors & Grizzlies ML vs. Wizards (-112)
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2025-26 NBA Record: 216-195 (+18.41 units)
