Expert NBA Picks and Player Props: Best NBA Bets Today Dec. 20
With the NBA Cup wrapped and teams shifting back into the week-to-week grind, Saturday’s slate gives bettors a more traditional schedule again. It’s a classic weekend board with marquee brands, star power and a mix of spreads, moneylines and NBA player props today that can all be attacked on sports betting apps.
Whether you’re hunting the best NBA bets on sides, digging into NBA player prop bets today or trying to build the best parlay bets today NBA has to offer, there’s plenty to sort through. There's also no shortage of sportsbook promotions to make this day of action even more appealing.
Game Lines
Boston Celtics (-1.5) vs Toronto Raptors (-110)
🏀 Odds via bet365 📈
Boston’s offensive balance and spacing should put a ton of pressure on a Raptors defense that can be aggressive but also foul-prone. If the Celtics keep their turnovers in check and win the three-point math, this short number is one they’re capable of clearing even in a tough road environment.
Phoenix Suns (+195) vs Golden State Warriors
🏀 Odds via Caesars Sportsbook 📈
Phoenix has already shown it can hang with Golden State this season and is one of the better teams in the West when things are clicking. Getting nearly +200 on a team with that level of shot creation and half-court defense is appealing, especially if the Warriors’ perimeter shooting cools off at all.
Portland Trail Blazers (-4.5) vs Sacramento Kings (-110)
🏀 Odds via BetMGM 📈
Portland just beat Sacramento in an overtime thriller behind a huge scoring night from Deni Avdija, a reminder of how difficult the Blazers can be to guard when their forwards are rolling. With the Kings’ defense still vulnerable in space and Portland comfortable pushing pace, laying a modest number on the Blazers is reasonable in the rematch.
Los Angeles Lakers (-3.5) vs Los Angeles Clippers (-102)
🏀 Odds via bet365 📈
The Lakers’ offense has been humming, highlighted by Luka Doncic’s recent 45-point outburst that showed how overwhelming their top-end talent can be when he gets downhill and hits step-backs. In a building they know as well as anyone and against a Clippers team that can go through dry spells, backing the Lakers to win by two possessions or more makes sense.
Player Props
Alperen Sengun over 8.5 rebounds (-135)
🏀 Odds via Caesars Sportsbook 📈
Sengun has taken another leap as a do-everything hub for Houston, averaging more than nine boards per night while playing big minutes in competitive games. Against Denver’s size, he should stay on the floor and be involved in every defensive possession near the rim, giving him plenty of chances to clear this number.
Nikola Jokic over 9.5 assists (-125)
🏀 Odds via BetMGM 📈
Jokic is once again functioning as Denver’s primary playmaker, averaging double-digit assists on the season and recently becoming the all-time assists leader among centers while piling up triple-doubles. Houston tends to send extra help his way on the block, which only creates more easy passing reads and open shots for him to rack up 10 or more dimes.
Ryan Kalkbrenner over 5.5 rebounds (-137)
🏀 Odds via bet365 📈
Kalkbrenner has settled into Charlotte’s center rotation, posting more than six rebounds per game on elite efficiency as a paint anchor. Detroit’s offense produces plenty of shots in the lane, which should keep him near the rim contesting drives and cleaning up misses to get to six boards or more.
Kon Knueppel over 2.5 made threes (-162)
🏀 Odds via Caesars Sportsbook 📈
Knueppel has quickly become a focal point of the Hornets' offense, already logging games with five threes and showing deep range off the catch and off movement. With Charlotte designing sets to spring him free on the perimeter, a volume of seven to eight attempts makes three makes a very attainable target.
Alex Sarr over 16.5 points (-112)
🏀 Odds via BetMGM 📈
Sarr’s blend of length and perimeter skill lets him attack from all over the floor, whether he’s popping to the arc or driving past slower bigs. If he continues to get touches as a primary option in Washington’s frontcourt, this mid-teens number is right in his wheelhouse on a normal shooting night.
Anthony Black over 18.5 points (-106)
🏀 Odds via bet365 📈
Black’s size at guard creates matchup problems, especially when he’s aggressive getting downhill and living in the paint. Utah’s defense can struggle to contain big ball-handlers on switches, so if Black keeps the pressure on the rim and gets to the line, flirting with 20 points is realistic.
Russell Westbrook over 8.5 assists (+114)
🏀 Odds via Caesars Sportsbook 📈
Westbrook remains a high-usage playmaker who thrives when he’s surrounded by shooters and rim pressure. In a game that projects to have plenty of possessions and transition opportunities, his combination of drive-and-kick reads and pick-and-roll passing should give him a real shot at nine or more assists.
Today’s Best Parlay
Today’s Best Parlay
🏀 Combined Parlay Odds: +589 (via BetMGM) 📈
- James Harden over 24.5 points
- Jimmy Butler over 18.5 points
- Brandon Miller over 19.5 points
Harden still carries one of the highest on-ball usage rates in any backcourt, and rivalry games in LA tend to bring out his most aggressive scoring mindset. Butler’s physicality on both ends and ability to live at the free-throw line make an 18-plus point night very attainable in a high-leverage matchup. Miller rounds out the build as Charlotte’s primary perimeter scorer, with his combination of size, shooting and pull-up creation giving him multiple paths to a 20-point performance if he stays aggressive.
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win With a full Saturday board on tap, there’s a lot to like across spreads, totals and NBA player props today, plus room to get creative with NBA parlay picks today built around star scorers. As always, shop around at different sportsbooks to ensure you get the best odds.
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All Odds as of 6:00 a.m. ET on Dec. 20
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