Expert NBA Picks and Player Props: Best NBA Bets Today Dec. 21
Sunday’s Dec. 21 NBA slate is lighter than a typical weekend, but there are still plenty of edges to chase. With just a few matchups on the board, lines can move quickly on sports betting apps as bettors zero in on the same sides, totals and NBA player prop bets today.
Below are our favorite game lines, player props and NBA parlay picks today to consider as you build out your best NBA bets today. Be sure to leverage the latest sportsbook promos for even more value.
Game Lines
Atlanta Hawks (-3.5) vs Chicago Bulls (-110)
🏀 Odds via bet365 📈
Atlanta’s offensive engine still starts with Trae Young, but their edge here is the surrounding athleticism on the wing and in the frontcourt as Jalen Johnson emerges as the new potential face of the team. If the Hawks can push pace, win the turnover battle and keep Chicago off the free throw line, this feels like a spot where they can gradually stretch things out and cover a short number at home.
Miami Heat (+7.5) vs New York Knicks (-105)
🏀 Odds via Caesars Sportsbook 📈
New York’s physical defense is real, yet Miami tends to drag games into rock fights that favor underdogs catching this many points. With the Heat able to grind through possessions, hunt mismatches and get to the line, +7.5 gives you plenty of room even if the Knicks control the game for long stretches.
Washington Wizards (+15.5) vs San Antonio Spurs (-110)
🏀 Odds via BetMGM 📈
San Antonio has more top-end talent, but this is a big spread for a Wizards team that can score in bunches when their young guards get rolling. If Washington can limit live-ball turnovers and force the Spurs to play more in the halfcourt, they have a good chance to sneak inside this inflated number.
Player Props
Jalen Johnson over 10.5 rebounds (-115)
🏀 Odds via BetMGM 📈
Johnson’s size and athleticism at the forward spot make him a nightmare on the glass, especially in games where Atlanta plays smaller lineups around him. Chicago’s shot profile should give him plenty of chances to clean up misses on both ends, which sets up well for an 11-plus rebound night.
Trae Young over 7.5 assists (-140)
🏀 Odds via Caesars Sportsbook 📈
Young consistently draws two defenders at the point of attack, opening up lobs, kick-outs and pocket passes all over the floor. As long as Atlanta’s shooters hit at a reasonable clip, eight or more assists is very much in range with his usual minutes and usage.
Noah Clowney over 3.5 rebounds (-155)
🏀 Odds via BetMGM 📈
Clowney’s role is built on energy, defense and doing the dirty work, which naturally leads to board opportunities. Toronto’s willingness to attack the paint and midrange should keep him stationed near the rim where four rebounds is a modest target.
De’Aaron Fox over 19.5 points (-125)
🏀 Odds via bet365 📈
Fox’s combination of burst, handle and midrange touch makes him tough to stay in front of for a full game. Against a Washington team that struggles to contain dribble penetration, he should live in the lane and at the stripe, giving him multiple paths to a 20-point outing.
Harrison Barnes over 1.5 made threes (-160)
🏀 Odds via BetMGM 📈
Barnes thrives as a spacer around stars, quietly knocking down open catch-and-shoot looks. With defensive attention tilted toward his higher-usage teammates, he should see clean attempts from the corners and wings, making two made threes very realistic.
Anthony Edwards over 4.5 assists (+121)
🏀 Odds via bet365 📈
Edwards draws so much defensive gravity as a scorer that help is almost automatic any time he gets downhill. When he makes the simple read and trusts his teammates, five or more assists come naturally through drive-and-kick passes and secondary transition opportunities.
Alperen Sengun over 23.5 points (-112)
🏀 Odds via Caesars Sportsbook 📈
Sengun is the hub of Houston’s offense, even with Kevin Durant on the roster, touching the ball on nearly every halfcourt possession and attacking from the post, elbows and short roll. Sacramento’s defense has trouble with skilled bigs who can put the ball on the floor, so a mid-20s scoring night is firmly in play if he avoids foul trouble.
Jabari Smith Jr. over 2.5 made threes (+140)
🏀 Odds via BetMGM 📈
Smith’s shooting stroke and high release make him a perfect pick-and-pop threat, especially when defenses are preoccupied with Sengun in the paint. At plus money, backing him to hit three or more from deep is attractive in a matchup where he should see volume from beyond the arc.
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win Today’s Best Parlay
🏀 Combined Parlay Odds: +567 (via bet365) 📈
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Jaime Jaquez Jr. over 14.5 points
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OG Anunoby over 16.5 points
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Karl-Anthony Towns over 21.5 points
Jaquez has carved out a steady scoring role by cutting hard, attacking mismatches and punishing smaller defenders in the post, which should translate well against New York’s physical but sometimes over-aggressive defense. Anunoby’s usage often spikes in big games, and his ability to score in transition, on spot-ups and on straight-line drives gives him several clean paths to 17-plus points. Towns rounds out the parlay as an inside-out scorer who can feast on switches, stretch bigs to the perimeter and get to the line, making a 22-point target very reasonable if this matchup turns into the grind-it-out battle it projects to be.
Even on a smaller Sunday card, there’s plenty of room to build out NBA best bets today, mix in your favorite NBA player props tonight and take a swing at NBA parlay picks today. As always, shop around different sports betting apps for the best numbers.
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All Odds as of 6:00 a.m. ET on Dec. 21
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