NBA Odds, Picks & Predictions: Saturday (12/6)
Let's break down some key matchups today in the NBA. Below are our top NBA picks & predictions for Saturday, December 6.
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Saturday's NBA Best Bets & Picks
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Golden State Warriors at Cleveland Cavaliers (-7.5) | O/U 227.5 (-112/-108)
The Warriors suffered a heartbreaking loss to Philadelphia on Thursday. They mounted a 20+ point comeback, but V.J. Edgecombe hit a follow-up tip shot on a Tyrese Maxey air ball with less than a second left, then, with a half-court heave, De'Anthony Melton had a chance at a floater, only for Maxey to come from behind with a blocked shot. This offense is struggling to score without Stephen Curry, averaging just 104.6 points in his three-game absence.
They're catching the Cavaliers at the right time, as they've dropped four of their last five. The injury bug is spreading throughout the Cavs’ lineup, with six players currently out, including Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen. As a result, other players are seeing extended minutes between Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, and De'Andre Hunter.
The lack of depth on the second leg of a back-to-back could be trouble for Cleveland, which will give Golden State the rest advantage.
Pick: Warriors +7.5 (-105)
Sacramento Kings at Miami Heat (-8.5) | O/U 238.5 (-115/-105)
The Heat are coming off upsets from Dallas and Orlando, during which those teams contained Miami’s high-powered offense, which is second in the league in points per game (122.8). Norman Powell was absent in those games, but he returned for the Friday night game against the Magic. However, the Heat may be without Tyler Herro, who could miss extended time due to a toe injury. It has slowed down the league’s fastest-paced offense, which has scored under 110 points in back-to-back games.
Dallas and Orlando are each solid defensively, as they are in the top 12 in points allowed; that is not the case with Sacramento. This is one of the league’s bottom-tier defenses, ranking 27th in points allowed (122.8) and 28th in defensive efficiency (1.170). More importantly, they like to play fast, ranking eighth in possessions per game (101.8).
Playing bad defense against a team that likes to play fast could help Miami get back into a high-scoring matchup.
Pick: Over 238.5 Points (-115)