Expert NBA Picks and Player Props: Best NBA Bets Today Dec. 29

Written By Blaise Bourgeois | Published at December 29, 2025

Dec 9, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) celebrates scoring against the Toronto Raptors during the first half at the 2025-26 NBA Emirates Cup at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Sousa-Imagn Images

With 11 juicy games across the NBA's Monday slate, there's plenty of action on our favorite sports betting apps. With 11 NHL contests and Monday Night Football, it's one of the best sports nights in recent memory. There are plenty of sportsbook promos that you can take advantage of.

Here are our best NBA bets today, including game lines, NBA player props, and a saucy NBA parlay pick. Make sure to compare all of our favorite NBA betting sites to lock in the best odds before putting down your hard-earned money.

NBA Game Lines

Atlanta Hawks @ Oklahoma City Thunder -16.5 (-110)

🏀 Odds via FanDuel 📈

No Jalen Johnson (illness) and Kristaps Porzingis (reconditioning) for the Hawks could lead to a very comfortable win for the Thunder. Atlanta have lost eight of their last ten games and have lost their last three games against the Thunder by 16 or more points, dating back to October 2024.

Even though the spread is dangerously high, we still think the Thunder are going to cover. Fun fact: Whenever the spread has been 19 points or higher, the favored team has only covered the spread four out of 20 times.

New York Knicks @ New Orleans Pelicans +8.5 (-112)

🏀 Odds via DraftKings 📈

This is what we call a trap line. Yes, the Knicks should blow out the Pelicans but they're just not the same team on the road. In fact, the discrepancy is eye-opening: The Knicks are 15-2 at Madison Square Garden and 6-7 on the road. No other team in the NBA can even compare itself to the Knicks and their bipolar home and away play.

Josh Hart, New York's critical glue guy, is out, which means there's going to be a lot of uncertainty on the floor during this game. Expect the Knicks to play a lot of weird lineups out there, especially with Mitchell Robinson and Landry Shamet still out. The Knicks just aren't the same without Hart.

Indiana Pacers @ Houston Rockets -15 (-110)

🏀 Odds via Caesars Sportsbook 📈

Talk about a mismatch. The Pacers have looked absolutely dreadful again and have lost eight straight games, with five of those losses coming by 17 points or more. The Rockets are virtually healthy aside from Alperen Sengun being questionable. They shouldn't need him, as the Pacers are absolutely battered with injury woes. Their starting lineup tonight could resemble a G-League team. Smash Houston in this one.

NBA Player Props

OG Anunoby 3+ Made Threes (+104)

🏀 Odds via FanDuel 📈

In 21 games this season, Anunoby has hit three or more three-pointers on eight occasions. Tonight, he faces a Pelicans team in what should be a game that lacks any defense whatsoever. The Pelicans have the worst three-point defense in the league, and Anunoby is an unbelievably consistent 37.6% in his career from three. This year, he's shooting 37.9% and taking about six three-point attempts a game.

The game also has an over/under total of 246.5, tied for the highest in the league tonight, so book Anunoby to be getting a few more offensive looks than usual.

Reed Sheppard Over 13.5 Points (-113)

🏀 Odds via Caesars Sportsbook 📈

Sheppard is starting to really heat up and is coming off one of his most impressive performances of the season against the Cleveland Cavaliers, where he had 18 points, eight assists, and five steals in 32 minutes. Against the Pacers, he could be in a position to lead the second team in a blowout scenario and be the focal point of the offense. Even if he's not, his over/under is right at his season average.

Jalen Brunson 40+ Points (+630)

🏀 Odds via FanDuel 📈

In a game that's expected to be on the closer side and extremely high scoring, we absolutely love betting on a Brunson burner tonight. Brunson's on a proper heater, scoring 34, 34, and 47 in his last three games. In fact, he's eclipsed 30 points in seven of his last nine contests.

Against a terrible defense like the Pelicans, we fully expect Brunson to put on a show.