NBA Cup group play resumes with a crucial slate this Tuesday, with a total of 11 games on the docket today, so our staff of basketball experts dug into the latest odds and identified all the best betting value on the board tonight.
Our betting experts have looked over the odds and made 6 NBA picks for today's contests. Continue below for our NBA best bets and predictions for Tuesday, December 3.
NBA Best Bets, Predictions, Picks: Tuesday, December 3
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
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  | 7 p.m. | |
| 7 p.m. | |
  | 8:30 p.m. | |
  | 9 p.m. | |
  | 10 p.m. | |
  | 10:30 p.m. | |
Specific betting recommendations come from the sportsbook offering preferred odds as of writing. Always shop for the best price using our NBA Odds page, which automatically surfaces the best lines for every game. | ||
Bucks vs. Pistons
The Bucks and Pistons have yet to suffer a loss in the Emirates Cup. However, only one team can emerge victorious when the two sides meet in Tuesday’s Eastern Conference Group B matchup.
We’ve already seen some movement on the total, down to 220.5 at DraftKings after opening at 225.5. Bucks' superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo is probable on the injury report, which should provide a boost to Milwaukee’s offense.
The Bucks rank in the top-half of the league in pace, averaging 99.3 possessions per game. Both teams can also have success from the perimeter, as Milwaukee is 12th in 3-point field goals (14.2) per game while Detroit is 15th (12.9). Moreover, Milwaukee’s defense allows the sixth most opponent 3-pointers per game (14.2).
Although Khris Middleton is ruled out, this line move feels like an overreaction. The Bucks have an average total of 227.4 points this season, and when that number is down 220.5 or fewer points, the over is a perfect 2-0. Since my model projects a total closer to 224, I think there’s value up to 223.5.
Pick: Over 220.5 (-110)
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Bucks vs. Pistons
By Alex Hinton
Tonight, the Bucks and Pistons will meet in Detroit to determine the winner of Group B. Cade Cunningham has missed four of the Pistons' last five games with a pelvic strain, but he last played last Friday in the Pistons' group matchup against the Pacers. He is not on the injury report tonight, and I expect him to make an all-around impact.
Cunningham comes into tonight's game averaging 7.2 rebounds and nine assists per game, so he is going over this line by average. That is helped by the fact that he has hit this line in each of his last 10 games. He has had at least six rebounds and eight assists in every game during that span. That includes a game against Milwaukee in which he seven rebounds and 11 assists.
Milwaukee is 23rd in rebounds allowed and 12th in assists allowed per game to point guards, giving up 15.3 per game combined. It is also 28th in points allowed per game (25.2) to shooting guards. That bodes well for Cunningham picking up assists to Jaden Ivey, particularly in transition.
The Pistons scored 120 points in the last meeting in Milwaukee. If they top 100 once again, Cunningham will likely play a big role as a facilitator as well as on the glass.
Pick: Cade Cunningham Over 14.5 Rebounds + Assists (-120)
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Grizzlies vs. Mavericks
Rookie of the Year, anyone? Jaylen Wells has played his way into the Memphis Grizzlies’ starting lineup despite being a rookie on a team that currently sits in third place in a brutally tough Western Conference.
As a starter, Wells has averaged 13.5 points per game on a tremendously efficient 49.4% shooting from the floor and 41.2% from 3-point land. He has cleared this line in 12 of 16 games when he starts for the Grizzlies, and in his past seven games when he plays at least 20 minutes.
Wells should even see 25-30 minutes tonight for this simple reason: he will be defending Luka Doncic.
At 6-foot-8, lightning quick, and surprisingly strong for his lanky build, Wells can defend 1 through 3 with ease. With GG Jackson and Vince Williams Jr still sidelined, Wells will be called upon to defend Doncic tonight.
That duty would exhaust most players, but Wells doesn’t seem to get tired. Ever. Until this line rises to 12.5, I will continue to hammer it.
Pick: Jaylen Wells 10+ Points (-125)
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Spurs vs. Suns
The Suns are expected to have Beal back in the lineup and Jusuf Nurkic out tonight. This means there will be stretches of the game where the Suns roll out Tyus Jones, Bradley Beal, Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, and Royce ONeal.
I expect this lineup to play 5-out and launch 3-pointers all night with Victor Wembanyama patrolling the paint on the opposing side.
The Spurs have also been playing pace-up basketball in transition, and taking a lot of 3-pointers in general. I think this line closes north of 230, so I would play it at any number below 230.
Pick: Over 228 (-108)
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Rockets vs. Kings
By Ray Monohan
Fading the Kings has been profitable so far this season, and this is not a good matchup for them against the Rockets.
The Kings have been a let-down to start the season, as they are 9-12 and they've dropped six of their last seven overall. They're struggling to find any sort of consistency, and they have had issues on both ends of the floor.
That doesn't bode well with the Rockets coming in, who have played well as of late. The Rockets have won six of their last eight on the road, and they're going to pick apart this Kings side.
This is a great spot for Houston. The Kings are fading, while the Rockets are surging. Grab the visitors tonight.
Pick: Rockets +1.5 (-110)
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Trail Blazers vs. Clippers
The Clippers occasionally get involved in higher-scoring games, like Sunday's against the Nuggets (W, 126-122). But for the most part, they have played at a controlled pace this season.
Such was the case in the first game against Portland back on October 30 when the Clips were stunned in Inglewood by a score of 106-105, as LA had no answer for Anfernee Simons (who scored 25) down the stretch defensively.
That was another Clippers "under," which is now 13-7-1 in LA games after their opening-night OT loss to the Suns.
The Blazers play at a pace dictated by their opponents, recently running with teams like the Pacers and Mavs, and then getting held beneath 100 points in recent games against the Thunder and Rockets (twice). I'll take the under here.
Pick: Under 220.5 (-110)
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