NBA November 30th Picks & Predictions: Sunday Basketball Best Bets

Sunday’s NBA slate features eight games and includes the reigning NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder, winners of 11 straight.

A few clubs whose winning streaks aren’t so long also are in action. The Los Angeles Lakers (six games) and New York Knicks (three) now have the second and third longest streaks in the league.

Let’s look to get a few winners out of these best bets.

BOSTON CELTICS AT CLEVELAND CAVALIERS, 6 p.m. ET

So much for those low back spasms, Jaylen Brown.

Initially listed as questionable for Saturday’s game at Minnesota, Brown worked through any lingering effects to match his season high with 41 points while swishing a season-best 17 field goals, including five treys.

He was similarly sharp during an Oct. 29 win at Cleveland, going 4-for-9 from deep en route to scoring 30 points.

The Cavs allowed 16 treys during Friday’s loss to Atlanta. Brown should contribute to a barrage on Sunday but may not be so splashy on the second leg of a back-to-back.

Jaylen Brown 2+ 3-pointers (-200 with BetMGM)

ATLANTA HAWKS AT PHILADELPHIA 76ers, 6 p.m. ET

Jalen Johnson is off to a solid start in the Hawks’ frontcourt, averaging a career-best 21.9 points and 7.3 assists to go with 9.6 rebounds, just shy of his personal standard set last season.

Things haven’t been so sunny in eight career games versus the Sixers, however, as the forward has averaged 8.8 points, 5.6 boards and 2.4 assists. That has come in just 20.3 minutes, however, which hardly suits the Johnson of this latest surge.

Over the past 10 games, Johnson is contributing an average of 22.9 points, 10.6 rebounds and 9.2 assists over 35.8, staying productive and out of foul trouble.

Although Philly righted the ship with Friday’s victory against three-win Brooklyn, the hosts allowed 127 and 144 points in its past two games, losses to Miami and Orlando. The Hawks – and Johnson – are primed for a big night in this one.

Jalen Johnson over 42.5 points, rebounds and assists (-114 with FanDuel)

OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER at PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS, 6 p.m. ET

Quick, what do leftover turkey and revenge have in common?

Both are dishes that are best served cold.

The defending champion Thunder hope to attest to the latter as the holiday weekend closes with an opportunity to avenge their lone loss this season. OKC comes to Moda Center at 19-1, the fifth team in NBA history to race to a start that good or better. The Thunder were 8-0 on Nov. 5 when they squandered a 22-point lead in a 121-119 loss in the same building.

Portland is 3-8 since that night, including losses in each of its three home games. The Thunder, meanwhile, have been scorching, and on Saturday welcomed the season debut of Jalen Williams (wrist).

While the swingman still is getting a feel for his shot, Gilgeous-Alexander has rolled. He has scored at least 30 points in 17 games, including 37 in the Nov. 5 matchup. Expect a repeat effort Sunday with a different team result on the side.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 30+ points and Thunder -12.5 (+200 with BetMGM as two-leg parlay)