The 22-1 Oklahoma City Thunder have been so dominant this season that it’s not too early for the chasing pack to be jockeying for position on the other side of the playoff bracket.
That includes the Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Lakers, who join OKC as headliners for today’s slate, and my top NBA player props feature wagers on another Nikola Jokic playmaking clinic and more scoring magic from Austin Reaves.
Read on for my Top 3 NBA picks for the December 7 hoops action.
Best NBA player props today
| Player | Pick |  |
|---|---|---|
 Derrick White |
Over 9.5 assists + rebounds | +105 |
 Nikola Jokic |
Over 10.5 assists | -115 |
 Austin Reaves |
Over 22.5 points | -115 |
Prop #1: Derrick White Over 9.5 assists + rebounds
The Boston Celtics have quietly won five of their last six games, brushing off the idea that this would be a gap year for the 2024 champs.
While Jaylen Brown’s scoring has been key, Derrick White continues to be a glue guy for Boston, and I like this combo Over this afternoon against the Toronto Raptors.
White has gone past this number in four of his last six outings, including Friday’s win over the Lakers, and Toronto’s defense has slipped in recent contests against the Portland Trail Blazers and Charlotte Hornets.
His creative chops are more essential than ever for a Celtics team still adjusting without Jayson Tatum and Jrue Holiday, and he’s surrounded by willing shooters.
But White’s rebounding is the biggest trump card. Boston has leaned on a small-ball starting unit, and his willingness to crash the glass is critical for igniting the transition attack.
- Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
- Where to watch: NBCSB, SportsNet
Prop #2: Nikola Jokic Over 10.5 assists
What’s left to say about Nikola Jokic’s passing? He leads the league with 11 assists per game, and he’s dished 34 dimes across his past three outings.
The Charlotte Hornets have no shot at guarding Joker one-on-one here, so I’m banking on a flurry of double teams that pad his assist tally.
Though it hurts for the Denver Nuggets to be without Aaron Gordon and Christian Braun, Jokic still has Jamal Murray, his favorite pick and roll partner, and I see the Nuggets’ supporting cast knocking down enough open 3-pointers to cash this Over.
Jokic also racked up 17 assists in one of his two outings against Charlotte last season, and he’ll waste no time picking on the Hornets’ defensive weak spots. Look for another minutes workload in the mid 30s too.
- Time: 6:00 p.m. ET
- Where to watch: ALT, FanDuel Sports Network SE-Charlotte
Prop #3: Austin Reaves Over 22.5 points
Luka Doncic is back after missing Thursday’s win in Toronto, but I’m still loving the Austin Reaves props for tonight’s matchup with the Philadelphia 76ers.
Reaves ranks fifth in the league with 29.3 PPG, and he’s nailed this points prop Over in his eight of his past 10 games. Sharing the floor with Luka and LeBron James positions him to walk into a bunch of easy looks, so this line feels oddly low.
He’s also on a hot streak, making at least 50% of his shots in six straight contests and knocking down 3+ 3-pointers in five of those outings.
Joel Embiid is questionable for Philadelphia, and there’s no reason to expect a shutdown defensive performance from a 76ers team that’s allowing 116.3 PPG this year.
- Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
- Where to watch: SPECSN, NBCSP
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