NBA Best Bets Today: Predictions for Knicks-Rockets, Cade Cunningham and More
By Peter Dewey
We've got another shortened slate on Thursday night in the NBA, but that isn't going to stop me from trying to build on yesterday's 2-1 performance in NBA Best Bets.
Tonight, I'm going to eye another total, this time in the New York Knicks-Houston Rockets game, and I'm going back to my favorite player prop well with Cade Cunningham.
Kevin Durant and Joel Embiid will face off in Brooklyn tonight, and while I'm staying away from that game due to the injuries for Brooklyn, here are three picks for Dec. 16 in the Association:
All odds courtesy of WynnBET Sportsbook.
NBA Best Bets Record to Date
- NBA Best Bets Record: 51-63-2
NBA Best Bets Today
- New York Knicks-Houston Rockets UNDER 215.5 (-110)
- Cade Cunningham OVER 2.5 3-Pointers Made (+104)
- Indiana Pacers -10 vs. Detroit Pistons (-110)
New York Knicks vs. Houston Rockets: UNDER 215.5 (-110)
The New York Knicks are looking to snap their four-game losing streak when they head to face the Houston Rockets on Thursday.
New York is just 7-15 since a 5-1 start to the season, and the Knicks have fallen to No. 24 in the NBA in defensive rating after being top five in the NBA in that metric last season.
Houston was blown out by the Cleveland Cavaliers on the front end of a back-to-back, but can it turn things around tonight?
It’s really hard to back the Knicks with the way that they’ve played as of late, especially with RJ Barrett, Obi Toppin and Quentin Grimes in the NBA’s health and safety protocols.
The Knicks have gotten very little out of offseason acquisition Evan Fournier, but Tom Thibodeau doesn’t have many options in his rotation with so many players out.
Houston got absolutely smoked on Wednesday night, but they are 7-6 against the spread at home this season. The Knicks are better on the road, 7-6 against the spread this season, than at home, but they have failed to cover in six of their last seven games.
The Knicks beat the Rockets 106-99 in their first matchup this season, and I think this game has a shot to go under again, especially if Christian Wood doesn’t play for the Rockets.
New York is averaging a combined total of 210.5 points in its road games this season, so I’m going to back the under 215.5 tonight.
Cade Cunningham OVER 2.5 3-Pointers Made (+104)
This prop for Cunningham really just comes down to his usage, as the rookie guard has taken five or more 3-pointers in all but two of his games this season.
The more shots Cunningham launches from deep, the better, as he is facing an Indiana Pacers team that is middle of the pack in terms of opponent 3-point percentage at 35.0 percent.
Cunningham has gone over this number in five of his last seven games and knocked down five 3-balls in the Detroit Pistons’ loss to the Nets.
Detroit Pistons vs. Indiana Pacers: Pacers -10 (-110)
The Pistons have lost 12 straight games heading into this matchup, and seven of those losses have come by double-digits.
Despite that, the Pistons have covered in six of those 12 games, including in four of the five games that they were a double-digit underdog.
However, they’ll also still be without top forward Jerami Grant due to a thumb injury for the foreseeable future.
The Pacers are about as middle-of-the-road as they come, ranking No. 12 in offensive rating and No. 13 in defensive rating this season, while Detroit is 22nd and 29th in those respective categories.
Indiana hasn’t been favored by double-digits this season, but I’m going to back the Pacers against a simply horrible Pistons team. Indiana has also been solid on back-to-backs this season, going 4-1 against the spread.