The NBA betting board has five games on Thursday and three of those contests feature some of the worst teams in the league. While that might sound like a good reason to change the channel, losing teams often feature some of the best player prop bets available.
Whether it's fading a player that's likely to struggle, backing a player on the other team in a juicy matchup, or wagering on a star who needs to carry his mediocre franchise, we intend to win with some losers in our best NBA prop picks for Thursday, December 2.
NBA player props for December 2
Picks made on 12/2/2021 at 12:15 p.m. ET.
Click on each pick to jump to the full analysis.
If you're signing up for a new sportsbook for the 2021-22 NBA season, here are two of the best welcome bonuses available:
USA: Caesars Greetings! From now through 1/19/2022, any user that opts in to Caesars’ promotion and places $100 worth of settled bets (by 1/19) will receive a gift card for a FREE NBA Jersey. Opt in Now
Canada: Get a 100%-matched sign-up bonus (up to $400) at BetVictor. Claim Now
Today’s best NBA player props
Bane of their existence
The Oklahoma City Thunder have lost seven games in a row and head to FedEx Forum to face the Memphis Grizzlies, who are coming off back-to-back wins without Ja Morant. The absence of Morant means more shots and scoring opportunities for other Memphis players, including guard Desmond Bane.
Bane is third on the team with 16 points per game and has been even more productive lately, dropping at least 18 points in five of his last six contests and averaging 19.8 ppg over that span.
He's been on fire from deep during that stretch, averaging 3.7 made three-pointers per game on 52.3 percent shooting from beyond the arc. The Thunder are allowing a league-high 14.1 three-pointers per game on 35.5 percent shooting (ninth-worst). Expect another strong shooting night from Bane and take the Over on his points.
Pick: Desmond Bane Over 16.5 points (-110 at DraftKings)
Fade Cade
One of the best teams in the league hosts one of the worst as the Phoenix Suns welcome the Detroit Pistons to Footprint Center. The Suns have won 17 games in a row and take on a young Pistons squad that has lost seven straight.
The Pistons took Cade Cunningham with the first pick overall in July's draft, and while he has flashed potential, he's also going through his share of growing pains. The rookie is coming off a 26-point performance against Portland but posted just one assist in that contest while turning the ball over six times. Cunningham has now committed at least four turnovers in five straight games, but with the Pistons clearly in rebuilding mode, don't expect Detroit coach Dwane Casey to keep him on a tight leash.
Phoenix is a strong defensive squad featuring ball hounds like Chris Paul and Mikal Bridges. The Suns force 16 turnovers per game, the sixth-highest number in the league, with that number bumping up to 19.7 over their last three contests. Expect this experienced Suns team to put pressure on Cunningham tonight and take the Over 3.5 on his turnovers.
Pick: Cade Cunningham Over 3.5 turnovers (+120 at bet365)
Cloudy with a chance of Murray
After decades as a perennial contender in the Western Conference, these are dark times in San Antonio, with the Spurs going just 6-13 to begin the year. One bright spot has been the play of guard Dejounte Murray, who has evolved from defensive specialist to an absolute stat-stuffer (remind you of anyone?).
Murray is averaging 19.1 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 8.1 assists per game, and with little talent around him in San Antonio, he has a high usage rate and is typically expected to carry the team.
Today, Murray and the Spurs take on a Blazers squad that ranks just 27th in the league in defensive rating. The Over/Under on Murray's points, rebounds, and assists total is set at 36.5. With Murray racking up a PRA of at least 39 in four straight games and six of his last seven contests overall, bet on him to have another big game.
Pick: Dejounte Murray Over 36.5 points, rebounds, and assists (-111 at FanDuel)
Did you know that if you played today’s NBA props as a parlay, you could win $69.84 on a $10 bet?
Use our NBA parlay calculator to create your own parlays and see their potential payouts.
