NBA Preview, Odds & Best Bets for December 2: Suns, Grizzlies & Raptors Seek Home Wins Without Injured Stars

Tonight’s NBA betting schedule is lacking in overly compelling matchups, but tonight’s action will also be taking place with a few notable names missing.

Booker, Morant, and Lillard Sidelined Tonight and Beyond

Booker Out Versus Pistons Due to Hamstring Injury

The Phoenix Suns lost Devin Booker (hamstring) on Tuesday against Golden State but closed out their 17th straight win. Booker is out for tonight’s visit from the Detroit Pistons, as the Suns aim for a franchise-record 18th consecutive win.

Morant Missing for Memphis for Third Straight Game

Ja Morant started his third season with a bang, but his ascent is on hold for the foreseeable future after suffering a sprained knee last Friday against the Atlanta Hawks. But the Memphis Grizzlies have won twice since losing to the Hawks without him, and they seek a third straight win as they host the Oklahoma City Thunder tonight.

(Not to derail things, but thanks for nothing, Thunder. OKC allowed 41 fourth-quarter points to the Houston Rockets last night to ruin the under that was recommended in yesterday’s NBA preview.)

Blazers Bid for Second Straight Win Without Laid-Up Lillard

Arguably the most notable MIA name among tonight’s active teams is Damian Lillard. Dame Dolla has been ruled out for at least the next four games with lower abdominal tendinopathy. I’d venture a guess that has never been Googled more than in the last 24 hours or so. It’s been a rough start to the season for Lillard, who is averaging 21.5 points per game and shooting only 39.7 percent from the field and 30.2 percent from three, all well below his career averages. The Blazers handled the Pistons on Tuesday without Lillard, and they will look to silence the San Antonio Spurs tonight without him.

In the top game on tonight’s schedule, the Chicago Bulls take on the New York Knicks at MSG. The Bulls have been strong away from home early on, while the Knicks have struggled at home so far. Elsewhere, Giannis and the Bucks are on the road after last night’s instant classic against the Charlotte Hornets, as they visit NBA Rookie of the Year hopeful Scottie Barnes and the Toronto Raptors.

Let’s take a look at tonight’s five games and which bets you would be wise to make this evening.

NBA Schedule for Thursday, December 2, 2021

Chicago Bulls vs New York Knicks, NBA TV, 7:30 p.m. ET

Milwaukee Bucks vs Toronto Raptors, TSN, 7:30 p.m. ET

Oklahoma City Thunder vs Memphis Grizzlies, Bally Sports Southeast, 8:00 p.m. ET

Detroit Pistons vs Phoenix Suns, Bally Sports Arizona, 9:00 p.m. ET

San Antonio Spurs vs Portland Trail Blazers, 10:00 p.m. ET

NBA Betting Odds & Best Bets for Thursday, December 2, 2021

• Chicago Bulls vs New York Knicks
• Milwaukee Bucks vs Toronto Raptors
• Oklahoma City Thunder vs Memphis Grizzlies
• Detroit Pistons vs Phoenix Suns
• San Antonio Spurs vs Portland Trail Blazers

NBA betting odds listed below are via BetOnline Sportsbook as of Thursday, December 2, 2021 at 7:10 p.m. ET. To compare NBA betting odds from several top online sportsbooks, check out our NBA odds.

The best bets offered below are not firm “picks” per se but are recommendations and suggestions to inform and aid your betting selections. We do also offer aggregated NBA betting picks for every NBA matchup every day.

NBA Betting Picks: Thursday, December 2, 2021

Betting News aggregates our NBA betting picks from trusted sports betting industry sources. Along with NBA picks for every NBA matchup, we also offer MLB picks, NFL picks, and NHL picks.

Chicago Bulls vs New York Knicks NBA Betting Odds & Best Bets

• Spread: Chicago Bulls -2 (-110), New York Knicks +2 (-110)
• Total: OVER 209.5 (-110), UNDER 209.5 (-110)
• Moneyline: Chicago Bulls -130, New York Knicks +110

Bulls vs Knicks Best Bet: Bulls ML – The Bulls are missing Coby White (health and safety protocols) tonight, but that is more of a detriment for White. The third-year guard has been struggling to find his shot after offseason shoulder surgery delayed his start to the season.

The Bulls are 7-4 ATS and SU on the road so far this season, while the Knicks are only 5-6 SU and 4-7 ATS. This will likely be a tight game, just as their first two meetings this season were. With that in mind, the ML is a smarter move than the spread in this spot. And, at that number, you get the insurance of being a winner in case of a one or two-point win without sacrificing much of a potential payout relative to backing the spread.

Bulls vs Knicks Matchup: NBA Betting Picks, Odds, Stats & More

Milwaukee Bucks vs Toronto Raptors NBA Betting Odds & Best Bets

• Spread: Milwaukee Bucks -5 (-106), Toronto Raptors +5 (-114)
• Total: OVER 218 (-108), UNDER 218 (-112)
• Moneyline: Milwaukee Bucks -200, Toronto Raptors +168

Bucks vs Raptors Best Bet: Bucks team total over 111.5 – Having to play a road game the night after a taxing home game the previous night isn’t an easy ask. While I do like the Bucks to win their ninth straight game and deal the Raptors a fourth straight loss (and 11th in their last 14 games), there’s not a lot of reason to take a risk on the spread.

Milwaukee put up 127 points last night against Charlotte, and the Bucks have scored 117, 123, 114, 120, 118, and 127 in their last six games. Even though it’s a back-to-back, I’m a little more confident in their team total than in the game total. The Raptors have been held under 100 points in each of their last three games.

Bucks vs Raptors Matchup: NBA Betting Picks, Odds, Stats & More

Oklahoma City Thunder vs Memphis Grizzlies NBA Betting Odds & Best Bets

• Spread: Oklahoma City Thunder +11 (-106), Memphis Grizzlies -11 (-114)
• Total: OVER 211 (-110), UNDER 211 (-110)
• Moneyline: Oklahoma City Thunder +430, Memphis Grizzlies -590

Thunder vs Grizzlies Best Bet: Avoid – Sure, it is only the Kings and the Raptors, but it is encouraging that the Grizzlies have won consecutive games without Ja. That said, a double-digit spread, even against a Thunder team that has lost seven straight and is on a back-to-back, screams avoid. If there is one thing that the Grizzlies are, it’s wildly unpredictable, which is equal parts fantastic and frustrating. They are just as capable of being blown out by the Thunder as they are of blowing out the Thunder (or anyone else.

There isn’t any other bet that really sticks out here, and with Morant missing anyway, you’d do better to cast your eyes and your lots elsewhere.

Thunder vs Grizzlies Matchup: NBA Betting Picks, Odds, Stats & More

Detroit Pistons vs Phoenix Suns NBA Betting Odds & Best Bets

• Spread: Detroit Pistons +11.5 (-110), Phoenix Suns -11.5 (-110)
• Total: OVER 208 (-108), UNDER 208 (-112)
• Moneyline: Detroit Pistons +500, Phoenix Suns -700

Pistons vs Suns Best Bet: Suns to cover – Even with Booker sidelined, the Suns should have no problem brushing aside the Pistons, who have lost seven straight games.

The Pistons have covered four times in their losing streak, and those covers came against the Lakers (twice), Clippers, and Warriors. But that doesn’t diminish my confidence in the Suns.

Pistons vs Suns Matchup: NBA Betting Picks, Odds, Stats & More

San Antonio Spurs vs Portland Trail Blazers NBA Betting Odds & Best Bets

• Spread: San Antonio Spurs +4.5 (-110), Portland Trail Blazers -4.5 (-110)
• Total: OVER 216 (-110), UNDER 216 (-110)
• Moneyline: San Antonio Spurs +164, Portland Trail Blazers -196

Spurs vs Trail Blazers Best Bet: Blazers to cover – The Spurs have won consecutive games after a six-game losing streak, so they visit Portland with a little pep in their step. But this spread is being a little generous to the Spurs and presents a good opportunity to back the Blazers at a decent number.

Spurs vs Blazers Matchup: NBA Betting Picks, Odds, Stats & More