Expert NBA Picks and Player Props: Best NBA Bets Today Dec. 17

The NBA Cup is over after the Knicks took down the Spurs, and the league slides back into regular season action on Wednesday. Due to scheduling conflicts around the Cup, the originally scheduled four-game slate has been trimmed to two matchups: Cavaliers vs Bulls and Grizzlies vs Timberwolves.

Even on this mini-card, there’s still room to find value using sports betting apps and the latest sportsbook promotions and some carefully chosen angles for the best NBA bets today and best NBA picks today.

Game Lines

Cleveland Cavaliers (-5.5) vs Chicago Bulls (-110)

🏀 Odds via BetMGM 📈

Cleveland has more frontcourt size and defensive versatility, which should make life difficult for Chicago’s ball-handlers and shooters. If the Cavaliers control the glass and keep the Bulls off the free-throw line, they’re well-positioned to win this by multiple possessions.

Memphis Grizzlies (+7.5) vs Minnesota Timberwolves (-110)

🏀 Odds via Caesars Sportsbook 📈

Minnesota has the stars and the home court, but Memphis spreads the floor better now and can throw multiple shooters around its primary creators. If the Grizzlies take care of the ball and knock down a reasonable clip from deep, this number gives them plenty of room to stay within two or three buckets.

Player Props

Matas Buzelis over 12.5 points (-112)

🏀 Odds via bet365 📈

Buzelis has a green light as a scoring forward, getting opportunities as both a spot-up shooter and a driver against tilted defenses. In a game where defenses will key on primary creators first, he should see enough volume to get into the low- to mid-teens.

Josh Giddey over 7.5 rebounds (-140)

🏀 Odds via BetMGM 📈

Giddey is a plus rebounder for his position and consistently crashes the glass on both ends. Against a Cavs team that will take plenty of jumpers, there should be enough long rebounds for him to reach eight or more boards.

Jaylon Tyson over 1.5 assists (-170)

🏀 Odds via Caesars Sportsbook 📈

Tyson often works as a secondary playmaker, attacking closeouts and making simple reads when the defense rotates. Two assists is well within range if he continues to get touches in pick-and-roll and dribble-handoff actions.

Ayo Dosunmu over 1.5 made threes (+155)

🏀 Odds via bet365 📈

Dosunmu typically spaces the floor around drive-and-kick actions, especially in lineups where he’s parked in the corners or on the wings. If Cleveland collapses into the paint, he should see multiple clean looks from deep and has the shooting stroke to cash at least two.

Santi Aldama over 14.5 points (-130)

🏀 Odds via BetMGM 📈

Aldama’s ability to play inside-out makes him a tough cover, especially for defenses that prefer to keep their bigs closer to the rim. With pick-and-pops, trail threes and cuts to the basket all in his bag, he has several paths to a 15-plus point outing.

Jaden McDaniels over 4.5 rebounds (-115)

🏀 Odds via Caesars Sportsbook 📈

McDaniels’ length and activity make him a natural on the glass, particularly tracking down long rebounds off missed threes. Memphis will fire plenty from the perimeter, which should create enough opportunities for him to reach five boards.

Jaylen Wells over 1.5 assists (-150)

🏀 Odds via BetMGM 📈

Wells operates as a connector in Memphis’ offense, often catching the ball on the move and finding shooters or rolling bigs. In a game where the Grizzlies want to keep the ball popping, two assists is a realistic expectation.

Today’s Best Parlay

Today’s Best Parlay

🏀 Combined Parlay Odds: +506 (via bet365) 📈

• Leg 1: De’Andre Hunter over 14.5 points

• Leg 2: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope over 7.5 points

• Leg 3: Terrence Shannon Jr. over 5.5 points

Hunter profiles as a dependable scoring option who can get to his spots in the mid-range and attack mismatches on the wing, giving him multiple ways to clear 15 points. Caldwell-Pope doesn’t need high usage to score, because between spot-up threes and transition chances, he can quietly land in the 8-10 point range. Shannon brings downhill aggression and slashing from the perimeter, and if he sees his usual rotation minutes, a couple of drives, trips to the line, and a jumper or two should be enough to push him over 5.5.

With only two games on the schedule, every edge matters. Use these sides, player props and our three-leg parlay as a starting point for your NBA predictions for today. As always, be sure to shop for the best numbers across sportsbooks.

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All Odds as of 6:00 a.m. ET on Dec. 17