NBA Best Bets Today: Predictions for Nikola Jokic, Deandre Ayton and Rockets-Kings

We’ve got four NBA games mixed in with the NFL playoffs on Sunday, but the highest-profile star in today’s slate, Steph Curry, has been ruled out with a hand injury. 

That has moved the Golden State Warriors to 4.5-point underdogs at WynnBET against the Minnesota Timberwolves, but are they one of the team’s to back in today’s best bets? 

Let’s get into today’s picks, including a Deandre Ayton player prop that I absolutely love. 

All odds courtesy of WynnBET Sportsbook.

NBA Best Bets Record to Date

• NBA Best Bets Record: 90-94-2

NBA Best Bets Today

• Deandre Ayton OVER 10.5 Rebounds (+100)
• Sacramento Kings -5.5 vs. Houston Rockets (-110)
• Nikola Jokic OVER 24.5 Points (-115)

Deandre Ayton OVER 10.5 Rebounds (+100)

Deandre Ayton is averaging 11.0 rebounds per game heading into the Phoenix Suns’ early matchup with the Detroit Pistons on Sunday. 

WynnBET is giving us plus odds on Ayton’s rebound prop, and while he’s only cleared 10.5 boards in one of his last three games, he had done it in four of six before landing in the NBA’s health and safety protocols. 

The Pistons are the worst team in the NBA in terms of rebounding percentage, and Ayton already had a 12-rebound game against them earlier this season. 

I’ll trust the Suns’ big man to get it done again on Sunday afternoon. 

Sacramento Kings -5.5 vs. Houston Rockets (-110)

This is more of a fade Houston pick than anything else, as the Rockets have covered the spread just two times in their last 14 games. 

The Kings aren’t the epitome of a great team ATS, but they did beat the Rockets 126-114 on Friday, and they benefit from the up-and-down style that Houston likes to play. 

The Kings are not a strong defensive team, but they are better than the Rockets, who are 29th in the NBA in defensive rating. Houston plays at the fastest pace in the NBA, but it still averages just 106.3 points per 100 possessions. 

The Kings should be able to handle business at home where they’ve gone 13-13 ATS this season. 

Nikola Jokic OVER 24.5 Points (-115)

For some reason, Nikola Jokic loves dominating Rudy Gobert and the Utah Jazz, as he averaged 35.3 points per game against them last season. 

This season, Jokic has put up 24 points (in 15 minutes) and 26 points in his two matchups with Utah. 

The Denver Nuggets are five-point underdogs in this game, but I think we are getting a chance to buy low on Jokic’s points prop, as he’s failed to go over this number in four straight. 

Despite that, the reigning MVP is still averaging 25.3 points per game this season. Give me the over for the Joker.