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Best NBA Bets Today: Jayson Tatum, Celtics Getting Buckets in Bunches

The NBA slate is jammed packed on Friday night, with 11 games scheduled across the league. There is always plenty of value to be found within a slate like today’s. Focus attention on two Eastern Conference matchups taking place between the Raptors-Net and Heat-Celtics. Both of the full game totals stand out among the rest of the slate. Let’s dive into the best NBA bets for Friday, Dec. 2.

Best NBA Bets Today: Game Tips & Betting Predictions

Raptors-Nets Bets

The Toronto Raptors will travel to Brooklyn to face off with the Nets in a divisional matchup on Friday night. These two teams are familiar with each other, having faced off twice already this season, with the Nets taking home the victory in both matchups. The total for this matchup is currently set at 224 points despite their two matchups finishing at 214 and 210 points this season. Look for this trend to continue and for the total to go under in Friday’s game.

Toronto has struggled to shoot this season, averaging 44.6% (27th) from the field. It has only knocked down 33.1% of its shots from behind the arc, ranking 25th in 3-point shooting percentage in the league. The Raptors also have the 18th-lowest free-throw shooting percentage in the NBA. The Raptors are averaging 110.7 points per game while allowing 109.3. Otto Porter Jr. (toe) and Precious Achiuwa (ankle) are the only two Raptors listed on the injury report, and they will sit on Friday.

Brooklyn, on the other hand, has shown that it can score from anywhere on the floor, ranking third in field goal percentage and eighth in 3-point percentage. It will be key for Toronto’s defense to lock down the perimeter and force the Nets to beat them from inside the arc. Yuta Watanabe (hamstring) and Ben Simmons (knee) are both out for tonight’s game. The Nets are averaging 111.6 points per game while allowing 110.6 points to opponents.

This is a battle between two of the slowest teams in the league, with Toronto ranking 24th in pace and Brooklyn a tad slower at 25th. Brooklyn is 9-14 over/under on the season with an average margin of -3.5 points to their closing line. The under is also 6-1 in the Nets’ last seven home games. The Raptors are 11-10 over/under on the season and are averaging 216.6 total points in their last five games. Brooklyn’s last five matchups are averaging 218.8 total points. Look for this game to play out in similar fashion to the first two outings, and take the under 224 points in tonight’s showdown.

Best NBA Bet for Raptors-Nets: Game Total UNDER 224 Points

Heat-Celtics Bets

The Miami Heat will have a tough test on Friday, facing off with Boston for a second straight game inside TD Garden. The Celtics rank first in offensive rating by a wide margin (121.5), 5 points above the second-place Suns. Boston has scored at least 120-plus points in each of its last six games. These two teams just faced off on Wednesday, with the Celtics defeating the Heat 134-121. Boston will look to repeat Wednesday’s performance and improve to 3-0 on the season against Miami. The total is set at 225.5 points for Friday.

The Celtics have been the hottest team in the NBA, with an 18-4 record and winning 14 of their last 15 games. Jayson Tatum is playing at an MVP level, leading the team in scoring with 31.6 points per game. Jaylen Brown cannot go unrecognized, as he is second on the team in scoring with a career-high 26.1 points per game. This team is full of shooters, ranking first in team field goal percentage, 3-point percentage and 3-pointers made. These shooting numbers equate to 121.9 points per game – first in the league. Boston’s defense is allowing 113.3 points per game.

The Heat injury report has been a fun one to keep up with all season. It feels like their entire roster has an injury designation night in and night out. However, the team is finally starting to turn the tide and get healthy. Tyler Herro, Gabe Vincent, Duncan Robinson, Haywood Highsmith and Max Strus are all listed as probable. Jimmy Butler and Nikola Jovic are questionable. Butler has missed the past seven games with a knee injury and will have a chance to play on Friday. His minutes and availability will be clearer closer to game time. Miami is averaging 109 points per game and allowing 110.

Boston has gone over the full game total in 61.9% of its games this season. It has exceeded 225 combined points in 17 of 22 games. No one has an answer for Tatum. He is second in the league in points per game and is coming off a 49-point performance against this Heat squad. Miami is playing in its seventh road game in a nine-game stretch and will need a big turnaround on Friday to slow down the top offense in the association. There is no reason to fade the Celtics offense until its shooting comes back down to earth. Have confidence in taking the over in what should be another exciting Eastern Conference battle on Friday.

Best NBA Bet for Heat-Celtics: Game Total OVER 225.5 Points

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