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NBA Best Bets Today: Top Betting Predictions for Friday Dec. 5th | Deadspin.com

NBA Best Bets Today: Top Betting Predictions for Friday Dec. 5th | Deadspin.com

Dec 3, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Ryan Nembhard (9) controls the ball as Miami Heat guard Davion Mitchell (45) defends during the first half at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Winning an NBA bet or two can be a great way to boost your Christmas shopping bankroll, and with 12 games on Friday night, there are plenty of markets for fans to choose from. 

To give you a helping hand, we’ve identified three as our Best NBA Bets of the Day.

Of course, with 12 games and a couple of hundred markets per game, there are more than just three good bets available. These are just the three we like most.

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Boston Celtics

Typically, a clash between these two storied rivals is almost predestined to be a great game. However, neither team will be anywhere close to full strength. The Lakers will be without Luka Doncic and Marcus Smart, and the Celtics will be down Jayson Tatum and could be without Jaylen Brown as well.

Brown is considered questionable after missing Thursday’s game due to illness.

Our Pick: Lakers +7 at -114 (FanDuel)

There is a strong chance that the Celtics will have Jaylen Brown back, but the Lakers will be down two of their best players. However, Austin Reeves has already proven he can step up and fill the void, but he will not have to do it alone, with DeAndre Ayton and LeBron James chipping in.

I wouldn’t be shocked to see the Lakers win, but out of respect for the Celtics, I’ll take the Lakers and the points.

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San Antonio Spurs vs. Cleveland Cavaliers

The Spurs have been without the services of Stephon Castle and Victor Wembenyama for some time, but have managed to keep winning (seven of their last nine) despite their absence. Cleveland, however, is missing more than a couple of players: Darius Garland, Max Strus, Jarrett Allen, Sam Merrill, and Larry Nance Jr.

Cleveland started the season well, going 7-3, but has struggled since then, going 6-7 in their last 13 games. They are playing at home, where they have lost three of their previous five games, including their last game on Wednesday (vs. Portland, 122-110).

Our Pick: San Antonio +5 at -110 (FanDuel)

Donovan Mitchell is doing his best to carry the Cavs with so many guys hurt. But with the Spurs likely focused on slowing him down, Cleveland will need someone to step up. I’m not confident in anyone having what it takes.

Cleveland is still a good team, but the Spurs are playing better basketball right now and will make a game of it.

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Dallas Mavericks vs. Oklahoma City Thunder

The Thunder are 21-1; the Mavericks are 8-15; if that’s all you need to hear to get behind the Thunder, that’s understandable. But the Mavericks have been playing solid ball lately, winning their last three and playing solid defense.

The Thunder are dealing with a long list of injuries, but they still have Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and have only lost once this season.

Our Pick: Mavericks +15.5

Oklahoma City should win this game; they’ve been dealing with injuries all year long. This game will be no different. However, while they have been dominating on the court and winning games, they aren’t covering with any regularity.

They have gone 5-5 ATS at home and 3-9 ATS in their last nine, all double-digit spreads.

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#NBA #Bets #Today #Top #Betting #Predictions #Friday #Dec #5th #Deadspin.com

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – JUNE 22: Aliyah Boston #7 holds Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever back during the second half against the Phoenix Mercury at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on June 22, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The WNBA has officially announced the players who will start the 2026 All-Star Game.

The final list includes four guards: Kelsey Mitchell (Indiana Fever), Caitlin Clark (Fever), Paige Bueckers (Dallas Wings), and Olivia Miles (Minnesota Lynx)

Plus, six frontcourt players: A’ja Wilson (Las Vegas Aces), Aliyah Boston (Fever), Breanna Stewart (New York Liberty), Jessica Shepard (Wings), Gabby Williams (Golden State Valkyries, and Natasha Howard (Lynx)

Starters for the All-Star game are determined using a weighted system in which fan votes account for 50%, current players for 25%, and a media panel for 25%. Ballots featured four guards and six frontcourt players.

In the final fan voting results, released last week, the top 10 vote-getters were as follows:

  1. Aliyah Boston – 683,996 votes
  2. Caitlin Clark – 670,510 votes
  3. A’ja Wilson – 659,057 votes
  4. Paige Bueckers – 640,026 votes
  5. Breanna Stewart – 566,161 votes
  6. Jessica Shepard – 477,066 votes
  7. Angel Reese – 470,748 votes
  8. Gabby Williams – 451,450 votes
  9. Kelsey Mitchell – 434,471 votes
  10. Olivia Miles – 397,080 votes

A breakdown in player and fan voting has yet to be released.

After the 10 starters are determined, the league’s 15 head coaches select 12 reserves (three guards, five frontcourt players, and four of any position). They are not able to select players from their own team.

As one of the official media voters, here was my ballot.

The Atlanta Dream are snubbed in the official results

The Atlanta Dream were the only Top 7 team in the standings not to have any All-Star starters. Allisha Gray, Rhyne Howard, and Angel Reese were all viable candidates to start in the All-Star game, and all three should be named reserves. Reese was the only top 10 vote-getter among fans to not be named an All-Star starter.

The Indiana Fever (11-8) were the only team to have three All-Star starters, while the Dallas Wings (11-8) and Minnesota Lynx (15-4) were each awarded two selections. The Aces, Valkyries, and Liberty each received one selection.

#WNBA #AllStar #starters #named #team #snubbed">WNBA All-Star starters have been named, and one team was snubbed  


	
	INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – JUNE 22: Aliyah Boston #7 holds Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever back during the second half against the Phoenix Mercury at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on June 22, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) | Getty Images	

The WNBA has officially announced the players who will start the 2026 All-Star Game. 

The final list includes four guards: Kelsey Mitchell (Indiana Fever), Caitlin Clark (Fever), Paige Bueckers (Dallas Wings), and Olivia Miles (Minnesota Lynx)

Plus, six frontcourt players: A’ja Wilson (Las Vegas Aces), Aliyah Boston (Fever), Breanna Stewart (New York Liberty), Jessica Shepard (Wings), Gabby Williams (Golden State Valkyries, and Natasha Howard (Lynx) 

Starters for the All-Star game are determined using a weighted system in which fan votes account for 50%, current players for 25%, and a media panel for 25%. Ballots featured four guards and six frontcourt players. 

In the final fan voting results, released last week, the top 10 vote-getters were as follows:


Aliyah Boston – 683,996 votes



Caitlin Clark – 670,510 votes



A’ja Wilson – 659,057 votes



Paige Bueckers – 640,026 votes



Breanna Stewart – 566,161 votes



Jessica Shepard – 477,066 votes



Angel Reese – 470,748 votes



Gabby Williams – 451,450 votes



Kelsey Mitchell – 434,471 votes



Olivia Miles – 397,080 votes


A breakdown in player and fan voting has yet to be released. 

After the 10 starters are determined, the league’s 15 head coaches select 12 reserves (three guards, five frontcourt players, and four of any position). They are not able to select players from their own team. 

As one of the official media voters, here was my ballot. 

The Atlanta Dream are snubbed in the official results

The Atlanta Dream were the only Top 7 team in the standings not to have any All-Star starters. Allisha Gray, Rhyne Howard, and Angel Reese were all viable candidates to start in the All-Star game, and all three should be named reserves. Reese was the only top 10 vote-getter among fans to not be named an All-Star starter. 

The Indiana Fever (11-8) were the only team to have three All-Star starters, while the Dallas Wings (11-8) and Minnesota Lynx (15-4) were each awarded two selections. The Aces, Valkyries, and Liberty each received one selection.   #WNBA #AllStar #starters #named #team #snubbed

released last week, the top 10 vote-getters were as follows:

  1. Aliyah Boston – 683,996 votes
  2. Caitlin Clark – 670,510 votes
  3. A’ja Wilson – 659,057 votes
  4. Paige Bueckers – 640,026 votes
  5. Breanna Stewart – 566,161 votes
  6. Jessica Shepard – 477,066 votes
  7. Angel Reese – 470,748 votes
  8. Gabby Williams – 451,450 votes
  9. Kelsey Mitchell – 434,471 votes
  10. Olivia Miles – 397,080 votes

A breakdown in player and fan voting has yet to be released.

After the 10 starters are determined, the league’s 15 head coaches select 12 reserves (three guards, five frontcourt players, and four of any position). They are not able to select players from their own team.

As one of the official media voters, here was my ballot.

The Atlanta Dream are snubbed in the official results

The Atlanta Dream were the only Top 7 team in the standings not to have any All-Star starters. Allisha Gray, Rhyne Howard, and Angel Reese were all viable candidates to start in the All-Star game, and all three should be named reserves. Reese was the only top 10 vote-getter among fans to not be named an All-Star starter.

The Indiana Fever (11-8) were the only team to have three All-Star starters, while the Dallas Wings (11-8) and Minnesota Lynx (15-4) were each awarded two selections. The Aces, Valkyries, and Liberty each received one selection.

#WNBA #AllStar #starters #named #team #snubbed">WNBA All-Star starters have been named, and one team was snubbed
WNBA All-Star starters have been named, and one team was snubbed  


	
	INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – JUNE 22: Aliyah Boston #7 holds Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever back during the second half against the Phoenix Mercury at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on June 22, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) | Getty Images	

The WNBA has officially announced the players who will start the 2026 All-Star Game. 

The final list includes four guards: Kelsey Mitchell (Indiana Fever), Caitlin Clark (Fever), Paige Bueckers (Dallas Wings), and Olivia Miles (Minnesota Lynx)

Plus, six frontcourt players: A’ja Wilson (Las Vegas Aces), Aliyah Boston (Fever), Breanna Stewart (New York Liberty), Jessica Shepard (Wings), Gabby Williams (Golden State Valkyries, and Natasha Howard (Lynx) 

Starters for the All-Star game are determined using a weighted system in which fan votes account for 50%, current players for 25%, and a media panel for 25%. Ballots featured four guards and six frontcourt players. 

In the final fan voting results, released last week, the top 10 vote-getters were as follows:


Aliyah Boston – 683,996 votes



Caitlin Clark – 670,510 votes



A’ja Wilson – 659,057 votes



Paige Bueckers – 640,026 votes



Breanna Stewart – 566,161 votes



Jessica Shepard – 477,066 votes



Angel Reese – 470,748 votes



Gabby Williams – 451,450 votes



Kelsey Mitchell – 434,471 votes



Olivia Miles – 397,080 votes


A breakdown in player and fan voting has yet to be released. 

After the 10 starters are determined, the league’s 15 head coaches select 12 reserves (three guards, five frontcourt players, and four of any position). They are not able to select players from their own team. 

As one of the official media voters, here was my ballot. 

The Atlanta Dream are snubbed in the official results

The Atlanta Dream were the only Top 7 team in the standings not to have any All-Star starters. Allisha Gray, Rhyne Howard, and Angel Reese were all viable candidates to start in the All-Star game, and all three should be named reserves. Reese was the only top 10 vote-getter among fans to not be named an All-Star starter. 

The Indiana Fever (11-8) were the only team to have three All-Star starters, while the Dallas Wings (11-8) and Minnesota Lynx (15-4) were each awarded two selections. The Aces, Valkyries, and Liberty each received one selection.   #WNBA #AllStar #starters #named #team #snubbed
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – JUNE 22: Aliyah Boston #7 holds Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever back during the second half against the Phoenix Mercury at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on June 22, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The WNBA has officially announced the players who will start the 2026 All-Star Game.

The final list includes four guards: Kelsey Mitchell (Indiana Fever), Caitlin Clark (Fever), Paige Bueckers (Dallas Wings), and Olivia Miles (Minnesota Lynx)

Plus, six frontcourt players: A’ja Wilson (Las Vegas Aces), Aliyah Boston (Fever), Breanna Stewart (New York Liberty), Jessica Shepard (Wings), Gabby Williams (Golden State Valkyries, and Natasha Howard (Lynx)

Starters for the All-Star game are determined using a weighted system in which fan votes account for 50%, current players for 25%, and a media panel for 25%. Ballots featured four guards and six frontcourt players.

In the final fan voting results, released last week, the top 10 vote-getters were as follows:

  1. Aliyah Boston – 683,996 votes
  2. Caitlin Clark – 670,510 votes
  3. A’ja Wilson – 659,057 votes
  4. Paige Bueckers – 640,026 votes
  5. Breanna Stewart – 566,161 votes
  6. Jessica Shepard – 477,066 votes
  7. Angel Reese – 470,748 votes
  8. Gabby Williams – 451,450 votes
  9. Kelsey Mitchell – 434,471 votes
  10. Olivia Miles – 397,080 votes

A breakdown in player and fan voting has yet to be released.

After the 10 starters are determined, the league’s 15 head coaches select 12 reserves (three guards, five frontcourt players, and four of any position). They are not able to select players from their own team.

As one of the official media voters, here was my ballot.

The Atlanta Dream are snubbed in the official results

The Atlanta Dream were the only Top 7 team in the standings not to have any All-Star starters. Allisha Gray, Rhyne Howard, and Angel Reese were all viable candidates to start in the All-Star game, and all three should be named reserves. Reese was the only top 10 vote-getter among fans to not be named an All-Star starter.

The Indiana Fever (11-8) were the only team to have three All-Star starters, while the Dallas Wings (11-8) and Minnesota Lynx (15-4) were each awarded two selections. The Aces, Valkyries, and Liberty each received one selection.

#WNBA #AllStar #starters #named #team #snubbed

Archery world champion Mariana Bernal of Mexico was banned for three years, the International Testing Agency said on Thursday, after testing positive for an anabolic steroid three weeks after winning a team gold medal against the U.S.

The 23-year-old Bernal did not challenge the doping offence and is banned until after the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. She also was stripped of her 2025 World Cup Finals title.

The ITA said she had one year cut from a routine four-year ban “due to her early admission” of the doping.

Bernal tested positive for nandrolone in an out-of-competition test in September last year, the agency said.

Three weeks earlier she helped Mexico beat the U.S. in the final to win gold in the women’s team compound event at the World Championships held in Gwangju, South Korea.

The ITA said Bernal is stripped of her results from the date of the sample. She keeps her world title but loses the World Cup Finals win from last October, when she had beaten teammate and individual world champion Andrea Becerra in Nanjing, China.

Published on Jul 02, 2026

#World #Champion #archer #Bernal #banned #years #steroid #doping">World Champion archer Bernal banned for three years after steroid doping  Archery world champion Mariana Bernal of Mexico was banned for three years, the International Testing Agency said on Thursday, after testing positive for an anabolic steroid three weeks after winning a team gold medal against the U.S.The 23-year-old Bernal did not challenge the doping offence and is banned until after the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. She also was stripped of her 2025 World Cup Finals title.The ITA said she had one year cut from a routine four-year ban “due to her early admission” of the doping.Bernal tested positive for nandrolone in an out-of-competition test in September last year, the agency said.Three weeks earlier she helped Mexico beat the U.S. in the final to win gold in the women’s team compound event at the World Championships held in Gwangju, South Korea.The ITA said Bernal is stripped of her results from the date of the sample. She keeps her world title but loses the World Cup Finals win from last October, when she had beaten teammate and individual world champion Andrea Becerra in Nanjing, China.Published on Jul 02, 2026  #World #Champion #archer #Bernal #banned #years #steroid #doping

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