The 2025-26 National Basketball Association (NBA) has a total of nine games on the slate, with the Chicago Bulls and Orlando Magic meeting at 7:30 p.m. ET at Kia Center on Peacock in the front end of a nationally-televised doubleheader. At 10 p.m. ET, the Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Lakers square off at Crypto.com Arena in the nightcap. Let’s build our bankroll with our best NBA picks & predictions for Monday, December 1.
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Monday’s Best NBA Picks & Predictions
Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook | All bets are for 1 unit
Cleveland Cavaliers (-250) at Indiana Pacers (+205) | O/U 233.5 (-110/-110)
The Cavaliers (12-9) travel to meet the Pacers (4-16) at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, with a tip time set for 7 p.m. ET.
In recent seasons, the Pacers have been a major thorn in the side of the Cavs, including a stunning 5-game series win in the second round of the playoffs last season.
In the first meeting in Cleveland, the Cavaliers picked up a 120-109 win on Nov. 21, but the Pacers were able to cover as 14-point underdogs while the Under (242) cashed. G Andrew Nembhard did his part, going for 32 points, while F Pascal Siakam had 26 points and nine rebounds, while both players fired in three triples apiece. Still, the duo needed just a little more help. G Bennedict Mathurin was solid, going for 21 points, but it wasn’t nearly enough.
The Cavs had balanced scoring, with all five starters hitting double digits, and C Evan Mobley was good for 22 points and 12 rebounds to go along with four blocks in the win. G Donovan Mitchell led the way with 32 points.
Indiana has won the past two games, while covering six in a row. The Under has cashed in the past three games, too, as the Pacers have re-discovered defense, allowing a total of 284 points in the span, or 94.7 points per game (PPG).
Cleveland has lost three in a row, while going 1-5 ATS in the past six games, 2-7 ATS in the past nine, and 6-15 ATS in 21 outings on the season. The Under is 7-1 in the past eight outings, too. Facing a struggling Indiana team should be the elixir to cure Cleveland’s ills, but right now, nothing is a sure thing.
Picks: Pacers +6.5 (-106) & Under 233.5 Points (-110)
Atlanta Hawks (+330) at Detroit Pistons (-420) | O/U 233.5 (-118/-104)
The Hawks (13-8) and the Pistons (16-4) meet at 7 p.m. ET. This is the second meeting since Nov. 18, when the Pistons picked up a 120-112 win in Atlanta as 1.5-point favorites while the Over (227) cashed.
Detroit has won four of the past five in the series, while covering three of the previous four meetings, and five of the past seven installments. The Over has cashed in three in a row, while the total has gone high at an 8-1-1 clip in the past 10 meetings since Dec. 23, 2022.
Atlanta has won the past two games, while winning four of the previous five. The Hawks are 3-2 ATS, while cashing the Over in three in a row. The Over is also 8-2 across the past 10 outings. The Hawks just do not play defense, allowing 120+ points in three in a row, and seven of the past nine outings.
For the Pistons, they outgunned the Miami Heat 138-135 at Kaseya Center in South Florida, winning outright as a 4-point favorite while the Over (240) obviously hit. That snapped a 3-game ATS skid, and a 2-game Under run.
The Pistons should be able to polish off the Hawks by double digits at Little Caesars Arena, and we’ll cite fatigue as the deciding factor. Not only did Atlanta play Sunday, entering on no rest, but they went to overtime in Philadelphia. That’s a tough turnaround.
Picks: Pistons -9.5 (-106) & Over 233.5 Points (-118)
Phoenix Suns (+166) at Los Angeles Lakers (-198) | O/U 234.5 (-108/-112)
The Suns (12-9) and Lakers (15-4) meet at Crypto.com Arena in the late game on Peacock.
Phoenix has dropped two in a row, and three of the past four outings, but the Suns are still a respectable 5-2 ATS across the past seven games, and 13-4 ATS in the past 17 outings. The Over has hit in the past two games, too, averaging 115.5 PPG, while allowing 126.5 PPG.
For L.A., it enters on a seven-game win streak since getting emasculated in OKC on Nov. 12. The Lakers are 5-2 ATS in that win streak, too, while cashing the Over in three in a row.
The home team has won five in a row in this series, while also going 5-0 ATS in those games. The Under is 3-0 in the past three meetings, and 6-1 in the previous seven in the series.
Let’s keep it short and sweet, backing the Lakers and Under.
Picks: Lakers -5 (-105) & Under 234.5 Points (-112)
Joe Williams is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Joe, check out his archive and follow him @winwithjoe