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, November 30.
RELATED: Check out the Pro Picks page for more selections from our talented VSiN hosts and analysts!
NBA Best Bets Today (Sides/Totals)
76ers ML (-108) vs. Hawks
Hawks at Sixers – 6:00 pm ET
The Sixers still have Joel Embiid and Kelly Oubre Jr. on the shelf, but it looks like VJ Edgecombe will return tonight. That should give Philadelphia a little juice in the backcourt, but I’m not sure the team even needs him here. Under Quin Snyder, Atlanta is just 13-21 straight-up when playing road games with lines of +3 to -3. The Hawks are also 31-44 SU when taking on teams that average at least 116.0 points per game in that span, showing that Atlanta can struggle with opponents that have a lot of firepower. Well, that definitely describes this Philadelphia team. And a lot of that has to do with Tyrese Maxey, who is averaging 31.7 points and 7.5 assists per game. He should have his way with this Hawks team tonight. Also, under Nick Nurse, the Sixers are 35-20 SU as home favorites, and they’re also 61-31 as favorites overall.
NBA Player Props Today
Reed Sheppard Over 14.5 Points (+100) vs. Jazz
Rockets at Jazz – 3:00 pm ET
Kevin Durant returns to action for the Rockets today, so Sheppard is going to be heading back to the bench. However, that doesn’t mean he won’t be seeing a ton of minutes. Sheppard has scored at least 27 points in two of the last three games, so there’s no way Ime Udoka will go away from him now. With that in mind, I like the idea of taking Sheppard to score at least 15 points. He has actually scored at least 16 points in six of the last nine games, and he’s now going up against the league’s 27th-ranked defense (119.6). There should be plenty of good looks to go around in this one, but Reaves will be the beneficiary of a lot of them. Utah is a bottom-five defense when it comes to guarding spot-up 3s and transition opportunities. Reaves can do damage with both. And the Jazz are especially weak when defending above-the-break 3s, which is an area of the floor where Reaves scores 51% of his points.
Austin Reaves Over 6.5 Assists (-110) vs. Pelicans
Pelicans at Lakers – 9:30 pm ET
Reaves has had four or fewer assists in each of the last four games, but I expect him to do a good job of setting teammates up tonight. LeBron James was ruled out for this game, meaning there’s going to be more on Reaves’ plate on the offensive end. Well, Reaves has had at least seven assists in eight of the 11 games he has played without LeBron this season. And while some of his biggest performances came with Luka Doncic sidelines, he has also had at least seven dimes in six of the eight games he has played with Luka and without LeBron. Reaves is also going up against a Pelicans team that is 25th in the NBA in defensive rating (119.3). New Orleans is also giving up more assists per game (28.8) than all but five teams.
Added Plays
PARLAY: Cavaliers ML vs. Celtics & Knicks ML vs. Raptors (-119)
PARLAY: Timberwolves Alt +7.5 vs. Spurs & Grizzlies Alt +7.5 vs. Kings (-169 – 1.5 units)
