NBA Odds, Picks & Predictions: Thursday (12/5)
The NBA has a pretty full night for a Thursday, with eight games on the schedule. A doubleheader on NBA TV starts at 7:00 p.m. ET between the Denver Nuggets and Cleveland Cavaliers, with the Houston Rockets and Golden State Warriors tipping off at 10:00 p.m. ET.
We’ll take a look at those two games and one more contest for some solid betting opportunities.
Let’s get that bankroll in the black with our best NBA picks for Thursday, December 5th.
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Thursday’s Best NBA Picks
NBA odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook | All NBA picks are for 1 unit
Denver Nuggets (+152) at Cleveland Cavaliers (-180) | O/U 237.5 (-110/-110)
The Nuggets (11-8) open a three-game road trip against the Cavaliers (19-3) on Thursday. These teams split the season series in 2023-24, while both sides are 5-5 straight up (SU) across the past 10 meetings since January 11, 2020. Denver has covered three of the past four meetings, while both teams are 5-5 against the spread (ATS) in the past 10 in the series.
Denver is coming off a 119-115 victory against the Golden State Warriors last time out on Tuesday, although it failed to cover as 5-point favorites at most shops. The under (237.5) connected in that game, too. Denver is just 4-5 SU in its previous nine outings while going 3-6 ATS. However, Denver has covered three of the past four games on the road. Against Eastern Conference teams, the Nuggets are 1-4 ATS this season.
Cleveland has rebounded from a shocking home-and-home series sweep loss against the Atlanta Hawks last week. The Cavs had a scintillating 115-111 comeback victory against the Boston Celtics, covering as 1.5-point favorites, while spanking the Washington Wizards 118-87 at home as a 16-point favorite. The under has connected in three consecutive outings.
The Cavaliers are 3-0 SU/ATS in three games against Western Conference teams this season, while the over has cashed in all three of those games. Let’s back the Cavs to get the job done while also going high.
Picks: Cavaliers -4 (-108) & Over 236.5 Points (-110)
Dallas Mavericks (-1000) at Washington Wizards (+660) | O/U 237.5 (-110/-110)
The Mavericks (14-8) and Wizards (2-17) meet in the nation’s capital in a mismatch. Dallas swept the season series in 2023-24, posting a 130-117 victory in D.C. on November 15, 2023, while grabbing the cover. They cashed in that matchup, which is 6-1 across the past seven games in the series.
Dallas has won five in a row and nine of the past ten games, with the only setback coming in overtime at Miami on November 24. The Mavericks are also 9-1 ATS in that 10-game span, while the over is also on a 6-2-1 run for the Mavs in the past nine outings.
For Washington, it was pounded 118-87 as a 16-point underdog on the road in Cleveland last time out. The Wizards have dropped 15 in a row since November 2 after a 2-2 SU/ATS start. The Wizards are a dismal 3-11-1 ATS in its last 15 games, although they are a respectable 2-1-1 ATS in the past four as a double-digit underdog. The under is 5-1 in the past six games, too.
Dallas is playing great basketball lately and it won’t take its foot off the gas against Washington. We’ll shy away from a total play, but we’re all in on the Mavs laying the points.
Pick: Mavericks -14 (-110)
Houston Rockets (-166) at Golden State Warriors (+140) | O/U 222.5 (-110/-110)
The Rockets (15-7) and Warriors (12-8) meet at Chase Center in San Francisco in the nightcap of the NBA TV doubleheader.
The Warriors probably could use a visit from the Rockets, as Golden State has been in a nosedive lately. The Dubs have won 14 in a row in this series, dating back to Houston’s most recent win on February 20, 2020. Golden State has also had 6-1 ATS in the past seven games in the series and 11-3 ATS in the 14-game series win streak.
Fred VanVleet carries a questionable tag into this game due to a right knee contusion. Steph Curry will be sidelined due to a knee issue. Draymond Green is also out with a tight left calf. Andrew Wiggins is questionable due to a right ankle ailment.
With the series dominated by the Warriors in recent seasons, it’s hard to avoid taking them at home as short underdogs, even with key personnel on the shelf. The best play here, though, based on those key injuries, is to bang the under.
Pick: Under 221.5 Points (-110)
Daniel E. Dobish is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Daniel, check out his archive and follow him @danieledobish.