Free NBA Picks For Today, Monday 12/2/2024

The NBA week starts with four games, and here you can get the NBA Picks for Monday 12/2/2024.

New Orleans Pelicans vs Atlanta Hawks Prediction NBA Picks 12/2/24

Pelicans at Hawks at 7:30 PM ET

The New Orleans Pelicans are currently experiencing a challenging season, having suffered defeats in 17 of their initial 21 games. They are eager to prevent a ninth consecutive loss following a significant setback against the Knicks, where they were defeated 118-85 in an away game last night. CJ McCollum and Brandon Boston Jr. each contributed 13 points, while Yves Missi and Trey Murphy added 11 points apiece.

The Atlanta Hawks are beginning to find their rhythm, now pursuing a season-high fourth straight win after narrowly defeating the underperforming Hornets with a score of 107-104 on Saturday. Jalen Johnson led the charge with 20 points and nine assists, De’Andre Hunter contributed 18 points off the bench, and Onyeka Okongwu recorded 16 points and 11 rebounds.

The Pick:

This season, the Pelicans have been regarded as one of the most disappointing teams in the league, largely due to the impact of injuries. Following a heavy loss to the Knicks, their confidence appears to have plummeted. In contrast, the Hawks have been steadily improving, playing some of their best basketball of the year. I am confident that they will maintain this upward trajectory with another win and cover against the faltering Pelicans.

Miami Heat vs Boston Celtics Prediction NBA Picks 12/2/24

Heat at Celtics at 7:30 PM ET

The Miami Heat have demonstrated solid performance recently, securing victories in four of their last six games. However, they will be looking to recover in this matchup following a narrow loss to the Raptors, where they fell 119-116 on the road last night. Tyler Herro was the standout player, contributing 31 points on nine of 16 shooting. Additionally, Jimmy Butler and Terry Rozier each added 17 points, while Bam Adebayo recorded 13 points along with an impressive 20 rebounds and seven assists.

Currently, the Boston Celtics are on a remarkable winning trajectory, having triumphed in nine of their last eleven games. However, they will be looking to improve their performance in the upcoming match following the end of their seven-game winning streak, which was halted by the Cavaliers in a 115-111 defeat on the road last night. Jayson Tatum was the leading scorer for the team, amassing 33 points, along with eight rebounds and four assists. Payton Pritchard made a notable contribution off the bench with 24 points, seven rebounds, and three assists, while Kristaps Porzingis added to the team’s total with 21 points, eight rebounds, and three steals.

The Pick:

The Heat have been performing well enough to achieve victories in four of their last six games, but they are still not at their best, as demonstrated by their loss to the struggling Raptors last night. In contrast, the Celtics were arguably the most formidable team in the league until they suffered a narrow defeat to the Cavaliers, who are currently at the top of the standings. I predict a victory for the Celtics at home, given their overall superiority this season; however, the betting line is sufficiently large for me to believe that the Heat will be able to stay competitive and keep the score within single digits.

Brooklyn Nets vs Chicago Bulls Prediction NBA Picks 12/2/24

Nets at Bulls at 8 PM ET

The Brooklyn Nets triumphed over the Suns but lost their b2b set with the Magic. At present, the Nets are scoring an average of 110.9 points per game with a shooting accuracy of 46.4 percent, while they are allowing 114.1 points at a shooting rate of 48.5 percent. Cam Thomas is leading the team with an average of 24.7 points and 3.2 rebounds, while Dennis Schroder contributes 18.6 points and 3.2 rebounds.

The Chicago Bulls suffered defeats against both the Magic and the Celtics. Currently, the team is averaging 118.5 points per game with a shooting percentage of 47.5, while they are conceding an average of 124.3 points on 48.8 percent shooting. Zach LaVine is contributing an average of 22 points and 4.5 rebounds, whereas Nikola Vucevic is averaging 20.9 points along with 3.2 assists.

The Pick:

The Chicago Bulls are currently performing below expectations, struggling to secure victories, cover spreads, and maintain a solid defensive presence. Meanwhile, the Brooklyn Nets are concluding a back-to-back schedule; however, they have an impressive record of 13-7-1 against the spread this season. Additionally, the Nets have triumphed in their last four encounters with the Bulls, including a victory by 8 points last month. I recommend backing the Nets along with the points.

LA Lakers vs Minnesota Timberwolves Prediction NBA Picks 12/2/24

Lakers at Timberwolves at 8 PM ET

The Los Angeles Lakers faced a setback against the Thunder but achieved a win against the Jazz. They are currently averaging 114 points with a shooting efficiency of 47.9 percent, while their opponents score an average of 115.2 points at a shooting rate of 48.1 percent. Anthony Davis is performing exceptionally, averaging 28.4 points and 11.6 rebounds, while LeBron James averages 22.3 points and 8.2 rebounds.

The Minnesota Timberwolves experienced a defeat against the Kings but secured a victory over the Clippers. Their upcoming schedule includes matches against the Clippers, Knicks, and Warriors. Currently, the Timberwolves are averaging 111.2 points per game with a shooting percentage of 46.3, while they are permitting 110.4 points on 47 percent shooting. Anthony Edwards leads the team with an average of 27.7 points and 5.4 rebounds, whereas Julius Randle contributes with an average of 21.2 points and 4.1 assists.

The Pick:

While the Minnesota Timberwolves might be seen as the favorites at home due to their rest advantage, the current odds seem unreasonable for a team that has lost 7 out of their last 10 games and has not managed to cover the spread in 8 of those contests. In the last two weeks, the Timberwolves have been the most underperforming team in the NBA. They have lost 6 of their last 9 games when favored. Furthermore, the Lakers previously defeated the Timberwolves earlier this season, which is worth noting. This situation largely stems from the Timberwolves’ difficult recent stretch. I would advise taking the points with the Lakers.