Top NBA Betting Picks of the Week – December 3rd Edition

One of the more surprising factors about the first quarter of the 2018-19 NBA season has been the diminished play of the Golden State Warriors. It’s hard to say whether it’s championship hangover that is finally catching up with the NBA’s most talented superteam, or whether the drama between Kevin Durant and Draymond Green has simply gotten out of control, but Golden State has dropped two in a row and four of ten, and Stephen Curry is on the shelf. The Denver Nuggets and the Los Angeles Clippers lead the conference, and the Los Angeles Lakers are just a half-game behind Golden State, in fifth in the conference standings. In the East, Toronto has reeled off an eight-game winning streak and leads Philadelphia by 3 ½ games in the conference standings. The Sixers, Pistons and Raptors have all won eight of ten, as Philadelphia and Detroit look to build on initial success a year ago. We have three NBA betting picks from the Association for you to consider this week.

Top NBA Betting Picks of the Week – December 3rd Edition

The Warriors remain in the top 3 but other Western Conference teams slowly move up in Week 8’s NBA Power Rankings 👀 pic.twitter.com/7XzqRXnVp6

— ESPN (@espn) December 3, 2018

Monday, December 3

L.A. Clippers at New Orleans (8:00pm ET)

The Clippers have won eight of ten but took a tough 114-110 loss in Dallas on Sunday night, as Patrick Beverley was ejected for throwing a basketball at a fan. Montrezl Harrell scored 23 points for the Clippers, and Lou Williams and Danilo Gallinari each chipped in 21, but the Clippers did not have an answer for DeAndre Jordan, who had 16 points and 23 boards. Now the Clippers head to New Orleans for the second night of a back-to-back. New Orleans has played inconsistently this season, as their 12-12 record shows some spurts of contender status — and some shoddy play as well. They looked like contenders on Sunday, as Anthony Davis had 36 points, 19 boards and eight assists and the Pelicans rolled to a 119-109 win over Charlotte on the road. Davis has added to his assists this year, as opponents have double-teamed him more often, and when his teammates make their shots, as they did against Charlotte, then good things happen as far as offensive balance. Given the Clippers’ tough loss last night and the fact that they are still on the road, I like the Pelicans to continue this momentum from Sunday’s in. NBA Betting Prediction: New Orleans 110, Los Angeles 106

Tuesday, December 4

Portland at Dallas (8:30pm ET)

Portland sits a game ahead of Dallas in the West standings, but they have lost two in a row and seven of ten, including a 131-118 shellacking at the hands of the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday night. The Trail Blazers got big nights out of their two top scorers, as Damian Lillard had 37 and C.J. McCollum added 24. Portland built a seven-point lead in the third quarter, but then the Spurs were able to turn on the offense and run away with the game. Even with every starter hitting double figures, Portland could not get the stops that they needed. Now the Trail Blazers head to Dallas to take on a Mavericks team that has won eight of ten, including a 114-110 win over the Clippers on Sunday night. Dallas has ramped up its defensive intensity, playing tough on the perimeter and relying on DeAndre Jordan and Salah Mejri to defend the rim. Check on the injury reports to rookie sensation Luka Doncic (hip), but Dallas was able to knock off the Clippers without one of their most exciting players in the lineup. I like the Mavericks to continue the Trail Blazers’ troubles. NBA Betting Prediction: Dallas 112, Portland 103

Wednesday, December 5

Philadelphia at Toronto (8:00pm ET, ESPN)

Philadelphia has won eight of ten despite missing Markelle Fultz (shoulder) from the lineup. Trade rumors are surrounding Fultz after the arrival of Jimmy Butler from the Timberwolves, who has proven to be a real shot in the arm for the team. Butler and Ben Simmons propelled Philadelphia past Memphis to a 103-95 win on Sunday. Butler has emerged as a big shotmaker, hitting game-winning buckets against the Hornets and the Nets, and he nailed some big shots late against Memphis as well. Simmons had 19 points and 12 boards despite playing with a sprained left ankle. Now the Sixers have a real test coming when they head to Toronto on Wednesday night. The Raptors picked up a 106-95 win on Saturday night in Cleveland and host Denver on Monday night before welcoming the Sixers. This win came without point guard Kyle Lowry, thanks to 34 points from Kawhi Leonard and 15 from Fred VanVleet. Can the Raptors keep up with Denver and then with Philadelphia without their top point guard? You’ll want to check the latest injury reports before making your wager, but without Lowry, I like the young Sixers to get a statement win north of the border. NBA Betting Prediction: Philadelphia 106, Toronto 101