NBA Best Bets Today (Predictions for Paul George, Kristaps Porzingis and Bulls-Raptors Upset Pick)
By Peter Dewey
![Los Angeles Clippers guard Paul George. Los Angeles Clippers guard Paul George.](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_4925,h_2770,x_0,y_66/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/426/01gh7253cphf8mh9ccbv.jpg)
It may be an NFL Sunday, but we're still here for some NBA Best Bets!
We're nearing the 10-game mark for just about every team, and the column has been running hot early in the season, up over eight units with a 34-22-1 record.
Friday recap:
— Peter Dewey (@peterdewey2) November 5, 2022
Brunson O 16.5 PTS ✅
Bucks -3.5 ✅
Cunningham O 21.5 PTS ❌
Season record: 34-22-1! https://t.co/ryk8Llu0Rz
I'm back with three picks, two props and an upset, for Sunday's action. We have a 15-game slate on Monday, so let's keep things easy on Sunday before going all out for every team being in action.
NBA Best Bets Record to Date
- NBA Best Bets Record for 2022-23 Season: 34-22-1 (+8.3908 units)
NBA Best Bets Today
- Chicago Bulls Moneyline (+110) vs. Toronto Raptors
- Kristaps Porzinigis UNDER 34.5 Points, Rebounds and Assists (-120)
- Paul George OVER 24.5 Points (-115)
Chicago Bulls Moneyline (+110) vs. Toronto Raptors
The Toronto Raptors are going to be without a key player in this game, and for the next two weeks, as Pascal Siakam is out with an abductor strain.
Raptors say Pascal Siakam has been diagnosed with a right adductor muscle strain and will be re-evaluated in two weeks.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 6, 2022
Both of these teams are top-10 in the NBA in net rating this season, but losing Siakam is a huge blow to Toronto’s lineup. Siakam is averaging 24.8 points, 9.3 rebounds and 7.7 assists per game this season, so Toronto will have to lean on several players to fill the void left by his absence.
The Chicago Bulls should benefit from Siakam missing this game, as they can go to a smaller lineup, which has been their best option so far this season. If Zach LaVine (questionable) is able to go, I really love the Bulls here.
We have two squads that are top eight in the NBA in defensive rating as well, but I can’t get behind Toronto as a favorite with Siakam out. Sure, Scottie Barnes, OG Anunoby and company can help replace some of that production, but Siakam has been playing like a surefire All-Star early on this season.
I like Chicago to pull off the road win on Sunday.
Kristaps Porzinigis UNDER 34.5 Points, Rebounds and Assists (-120)
Kristaps Porzingis and the Washington Wizards have a tough matchup with the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday, and KP’s PRA prop is way too high for my liking.
Porzingis has cleared this line just twice all season, and both games came against the Philadelphia 76ers without Joel Embiid. Philly played P.J. Tucker and Montrezl Harrell at center in those games.
Steven Adams, Santi Aldama and the Grizz should make things tougher on KP, and he’s only averaging 20.2 points, 8.7 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game, good for 31 PRA. I’ll fade him tonight.
Paul George OVER 24.5 Points (-115)
Paul George is going to be the primary option for the Los Angeles Clippers once again on Sunday when they take on the Utah Jazz.
PG had a shooting slump earlier in the season, but he’s dropped 35, 28 and 35 points in his last three games while taking 26, 20 and 17 shots. The volume is going to be there for George, and we’re getting him a discount in my eyes because of his shooting struggles to open the season.
With Leonard out, George is a candidate to go for 30 on any night. 24.5 is simply too low of a number.
Find Peter Dewey’s full betting record here.
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.