NBA · Game Review

NBA game reviews – 2025-12-02

NBA Daily Review: Big Scores, Massive Performances, and Plenty for Bettors to Chew On

It was a packed NBA slate with offence flowing right across the board. From nail-biters like Atlanta vs Detroit to absolute shootouts in Milwaukee, Chicago and Miami, punters had no shortage of angles to work with – whether you were into sides, totals, or player props.

Below is a game-by-game breakdown of all the listed matchups, using only the official scoring and stat records provided. We’ll touch on final scores, key performers, momentum swings by quarter, and what it all might mean for your future betting decisions – especially if you’re using an odds comparison tool to squeeze the best value out of these kinds of games.

Atlanta Hawks vs Detroit Pistons

Detroit edged out Atlanta in one of the tightest games of the day, taking a 99–98 win at home. The Pistons led 50–49 at half-time and both sides put up 49 points apiece in the second half, underlining just how close this contest stayed right to the final buzzer.

Scoring was remarkably balanced by quarter: Atlanta led 27–25 after the first, but Detroit outscored the Hawks in both the second (25–22) and third (24–19) terms. Atlanta’s late push in the fourth (30–25) wasn’t quite enough to steal it.

On the Pistons’ side, Cade Cunningham was a complete stat-sheet stuffer. He finished with:

  • 18 points
  • 8 rebounds
  • 8 assists
  • 6 steals and 3 blocks (9 combined steals+blocks)
  • 15 total turnovers + steals + blocks
  • 34 PRA (points + rebounds + assists)

That’s elite two-way production – and it came with 6 turnovers, which matters if you’re playing turnovers or TOS+stocks props.

Jalen Duren was massive inside with 21 points, 11 rebounds and 32 PR / 32 PRA, while Ron Holland chipped in 17 points and 6 boards (23 PR / 23 PRA). Detroit also got solid all-round numbers from Isaiah Stewart (6 pts, 10 reb, 10 RA and 5 blocks as part of 5 steals+blocks) and Franz Thompson–style impact from Ausar Thompson with 8 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist and 3 steals+blocks.

For Atlanta, the away side spread the load. Jalen Johnson delivered one of the standout fantasy and betting stat-lines of the entire day with:

  • 29 points
  • 13 rebounds
  • 7 assists
  • 4 threes
  • 42 PR and a huge 49 PRA

Around him, Nickeil Alexander-Walker (26 points, 6 threes, 29 PR, 30 PRA) and Onyeka Okongwu (20 points, 6 boards, 4 blocks, 26 PR, 30 PRA, 7 TOS+stocks) both cashed plenty of prop angles. Rookie Zaccharie Risacher showed flashes with 4 points, 5 rebounds, 5 PR and 5 TOS+stocks.

For bettors, this was a classic example of a tight spread game where player props – especially PRA, PR and defensive stocks – offered cleaner reads than the result itself. Late-game swings almost flipped the moneyline, but the volume-based stat guys on both sides still got there.

Milwaukee Bucks vs Washington Wizards

In one of the highest-scoring games of the day, Washington outgunned Milwaukee 129–126 at home. The Bucks led 66–58 at half-time, but the Wizards roared back with a 71–60 second half, powered by a huge fourth quarter (38–32).

The fantasy and betting spotlight was firmly on the Washington backcourt and frontcourt combo:

  • CJ McCollum: 28 points, 4 threes, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, 32 PR and 37 PRA.
  • Marvin Bagley III: 22 points, 9 rebounds, 1 assist, 31 PR and 32 PRA.
  • Cam Whitmore: 17 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 22 PR and 23 PRA.
  • Khris Middleton (now in Washington colours here): 15 pts, 4 reb, 6 ast, 19 PR and 25 PRA.

Washington’s role players also filled key markets: Justin Champagnie hit 10 points and 8 boards (18 PR, 20 PRA), while Bilal Coulibaly brought defence and energy (7 pts, 5 reb, 2 ast, 12 PR and 4 steals+blocks).

Milwaukee’s offence was no slouch either, dropping 126 points on the road. The statistical headliners:

  • Kevin Porter: 30 pts, 4 reb, 5 ast, 34 PR and 39 PRA with 5 made threes.
  • Giannis Antetokounmpo: 26 pts, 7 reb, 4 ast, 33 PR and 37 PRA, plus 2 steals+blocks.
  • AJ Green: 13 pts, 5 reb, 5 ast, 18 PR and 23 PRA with 4 triples.
  • Bobby Portis: 12 pts, 4 reb, 1 ast, 16 PR and 17 PRA.

Ryan Rollins impressed as well with 14 points, 2 rebounds, 5 assists, 16 PR and 21 PRA, while Myles Turner chipped in 9 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists (12 PR / 15 PRA).

For punters, this was a dream over game: 255 total points, both teams clearing 58 in the first half and the Wizards hammering home 71 after the break. Player three-pointers (Kevin Porter’s 5, McCollum’s 4, and plenty of other lads hitting multiple from deep) would have been a particularly interesting market to attack with an odds comparison tool.

Cleveland Cavaliers vs Indiana Pacers

Cleveland put together one of the most explosive offensive performances of the day, taking down Indiana 135–119 on the road. The Cavs led 66–54 at half-time and never really lost control, outscoring the Pacers by 12 across the four quarters.

The clear standout here was Donovan Mitchell. His stat line from the JSON jumps off the page:

  • 43 points
  • 9 rebounds
  • 6 assists
  • 52 PR and a monstrous 58 PRA
  • 4 made threes

That’s the sort of performance that can single-handedly cash points, PR, PRA and three-pointer overs. He did it with 3 turnovers and 3 TOS+stocks, but when you’re dropping 43 in a 16-point win, that’s a trade-off any side will cop.

Cleveland wasn’t just a one-man band. Jaylon Tyson delivered a huge 27 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists (38 PR, 42 PRA), while De’Andre Hunter added 13 points, 3 rebounds and 4 assists (16 PR / 20 PRA). Evan Mobley quietly posted 13 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 18 PR and 23 PRA with 2 blocks, underpinning Cleveland’s frontcourt dominance.

NaeQwan Tomlin and Thomas Bryant rounded things out with efficient supporting roles – Tomlin with 6 points, 6 rebounds (12 PR) and 4 blocks as part of 7 TOS+stocks; Bryant with 6 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists and 8 PRA.

Indiana still had some big-time stat lines despite the loss:

  • Pascal Siakam: 26 pts, 7 reb, 2 ast, 33 PR and 35 PRA.
  • Andrew Nembhard: 21 pts, 4 reb, 6 ast, 25 PR and 31 PRA.
  • Garrison Mathews: 15 pts, 1 reb, 1 ast, 16 PR and 17 PRA with 3 threes.
  • Jay Huff: 15 pts, 3 reb, 1 ast, 18 PR and 19 PRA, plus 3 blocks.

This was a classic case of a star player (Mitchell) blowing past his markets and dragging multiple overs with him – team total, game total, and a host of individual scoring and PRA lines. If you’d shopped around with an odds comparison tool for Donovan’s points and PRA, you’d have been well rewarded.

Chicago Bulls vs Orlando Magic

In Chicago, Orlando snuck out a 125–120 home win in another high-scoring thriller. Scores were locked 53–53 at half-time before Orlando edged the second half 72–67, helped by a huge 40-point fourth quarter.

Offensively, Orlando was outstanding. The two main engines:

  • Desmond Bane: 37 pts, 6 reb, 5 ast, 43 PR and a massive 48 PRA with 3 made threes.
  • Franz Wagner: 25 pts, 6 reb, 2 ast, 31 PR and 33 PRA.

Anthony Black had one of the most complete lines on the floor – 22 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 31 PR and 34 PRA, along with 2 threes and 2 blocks. Wendell Carter Jr. added 17 points, 6 rebounds and 1 assist (23 PR / 24 PRA), while Goga Bitadze was quietly effective with 8 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 13 PR and 16 PRA – plus 4 blocks and 5 steals+blocks overall.

From the Bulls’ perspective, there were plenty of productive stat lines despite the defeat:

  • Josh Giddey: 22 pts, 9 reb, 6 ast, 31 PR and 37 PRA with 3 made threes.
  • Nikola Vučević: 20 pts, 11 reb, 5 ast, 31 PR and 36 PRA.
  • Matas Buzelis: 21 pts, 6 reb, 4 ast, 27 PR and 31 PRA, hitting 2 threes.
  • Ayo Dosunmu: 18 pts, 3 reb, 7 ast, 21 PR and 28 PRA, including 4 made threes.
  • Tre Jones: 20 pts, 1 reb, 3 ast, 21 PR and 24 PRA with 2 threes.

With both teams clearing 120 and multiple players smashing 30+ PRA, this was a goldmine for overs bettors. First-half total backers got a push (53–53), but the second half exploded, particularly in the fourth. Again, this is the sort of spot where line shopping on player PRA and three-pointer markets can make a serious difference to your long-term edge.

Los Angeles Clippers vs Miami Heat

Miami absolutely lit it up at home, smashing the Clippers 140–123 in another offence-first contest. The Heat were up 76–56 at the half thanks to a 35–24 first term and 41–32 second, and despite a 41-point fourth quarter from LA, the margin never really felt under threat.

Miami spread the scoring around brilliantly. Key stat lines include:

  • Norman Powell: 30 pts, 3 reb, 3 ast, 33 PR and 36 PRA, drilling 6 threes.
  • Bam Adebayo: 27 pts, 14 reb, 3 ast, 41 PR and 44 PRA, plus 5 threes and 4 steals+blocks.
  • Andrew Wiggins: 22 pts, 9 reb, 3 ast, 31 PR and 34 PRA with 2 made threes.
  • Tyler Herro: 22 pts, 3 reb, 2 ast, 25 PR and 27 PRA, including 4 triples.
  • Davion Mitchell: 16 pts, 3 reb, 12 ast, 19 PR and 31 PRA, plus 4 threes.

Even the role players chipped in: Simone Fontecchio (7 pts, 4 reb, 2 ast, 11 PR / 13 PRA), Dru Smith (7 pts, 0 reb, 2 ast, 7 PR / 9 PRA) and Kel’el Ware (0 pts but 9 reb, 0 ast, 9 PR / 9 RA) all helped round out a dominant team performance.

For the Clippers, the numbers were still strong despite the loss:

  • Kawhi Leonard: 36 pts, 7 reb, 2 ast, 43 PR and 45 PRA with 3 steals and 3 threes.
  • Ivica Zubac: 16 pts, 13 reb, 2 ast, 29 PR and 31 PRA.
  • Kris Dunn: 12 pts, 4 reb, 5 ast, 16 PR and 21 PRA.
  • John Collins: 10 pts, 6 reb, 2 ast, 16 PR and 18 PRA.
  • Klay Thompson: 15 pts, 5 reb, 1 ast, 20 PR and 21 PRA with 3 threes.
  • Ryan Nembhard: 28 pts, 3 reb, 10 ast, 31 PR and 41 PRA, nailing 4 triples.

Betting-wise, this game screamed overs from early on – 76 by half-time from Miami alone and 263 total points. Player three-point markets were especially juicy, with multiple players on both sides hitting 3+ threes. Using an odds comparison tool here to find the best prices on Powell, Herro, Nembhard and Leonard from deep would have been a smart play.

Charlotte Hornets vs Brooklyn Nets

Brooklyn (listed as the home side in the stats) comfortably handled Charlotte 116–103. Scores were deadlocked at 59–59 at the half, but the Nets pulled away after the break, winning the second half 57–44 and controlling both the third and fourth quarters.

Michael Porter Jr. delivered a monster outing for the home side:

  • 35 points
  • 7 rebounds
  • 4 assists
  • 7 made threes
  • 42 PR and 46 PRA

Alongside him, Nic Claxton put up a strong all-round line of 13 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists (24 PR / 30 PRA), while Noah Clowney added 18 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists and 20 PR / 24 PRA. Danny Wolf (10 pts, 7 reb, 1 ast, 17 PR / 18 PRA) and Drake Powell (10 pts, 1 reb, 4 ast, 11 PR / 15 PRA) added scoring depth.

On the Hornets’ side, there was a balanced but less explosive spread of production:

  • Kon Knueppel: 18 pts, 6 reb, 4 ast, 24 PR and 28 PRA with 4 threes.
  • LaMelo Ball: 12 pts, 5 reb, 14 ast, 17 PR and 31 PRA, plus 2 threes and 5 steals+blocks (TOS+stocks).
  • Collin Sexton: 15 pts, 6 reb, 2 ast, 21 PR and 23 PRA.
  • Moussa Diabate: 10 pts, 6 reb, 1 ast, 16 PR and 17 PRA, with 3 steals+blocks.
  • Tidjane Salaun: 10 pts, 4 reb, 0 ast, 14 PR and 14 PRA.

Brooklyn’s perimeter shooting – led by Porter Jr.’s seven threes – was the clear dividing line in this one. For punters, that kind of shooting spike can be the difference between a tight game and a comfortable margin cover. Again, this is where tracking player form and shopping for the best three-point and PRA lines becomes crucial.

Houston Rockets vs Utah Jazz

Utah protected home court in another high-scoring contest, beating Houston 133–125. The Jazz took control in the second quarter (37–25) to build an 11-point half-time lead (68–57) and did just enough to hold off Houston’s late push.

Utah’s offence was incredibly balanced with several big lines:

  • Lauri Markkanen: 29 pts, 8 reb, 0 ast, 37 PR and 37 PRA, with 2 threes and 1 steal.
  • Keyonte George: 28 pts, 4 reb, 8 ast, 32 PR and a huge 40 PRA, hitting 2 threes.
  • Jusuf Nurkić: 18 pts, 9 reb, 2 ast, 27 PR and 29 PRA.
  • Kyle Filipowski: 12 pts, 7 reb, 3 ast, 19 PR and 22 PRA with 2 threes.
  • Ace Bailey: 13 pts, 3 reb, 3 ast, 16 PR and 19 PRA, plus 3 blocks as part of 5 steals+blocks.

Svi Mykhailiuk (10 pts, 6 reb, 5 ast, 16 PR / 21 PRA) and Walter Clayton Jr (8 pts, 5 reb, 6 ast, 13 PR / 19 PRA) also hit nicely across the box score.

Houston were right there from a fantasy and betting perspective, even in defeat:

  • Alperen Şengün: 31 pts, 8 reb, 14 ast, 39 PR and a monster 53 PRA, plus 1 three and 7 steals+blocks (10 TOS+stocks).
  • Kevin Durant: 32 pts, 9 reb, 5 ast, 41 PR and 46 PRA with 2 threes.
  • Amen Thompson: 23 pts, 8 reb, 3 ast, 31 PR and 34 PRA.
  • Jabari Smith: 12 pts, 7 reb, 1 ast, 19 PR and 20 PRA.
  • Aaron Holiday: 10 pts, 2 reb, 2 ast, 12 PR and 14 PRA with 3 threes.

This clash was tailor-made for overs and stat-based markets: 258 total points, multiple players clearing 40 PRA, and elite playmaking from Şengün (14 assists) and Durant. For serious bettors, it’s a reminder that even in a loss, high-usage stars on the road can blow past their individual lines – especially when pace is up and defences are a touch loose.

Dallas Mavericks vs Denver Nuggets

Denver (listed as the away side here) pulled off a 131–121 win over Dallas in another blockbuster scoring affair. The Nuggets trailed 41–27 after the first quarter, but a 42–27 second term flipped the game, giving them a 69–68 lead at half-time. They went on to win both the third and fourth quarters to close it out.

Nikola Jokić delivered a vintage all-round performance:

  • 29 points
  • 20 rebounds
  • 13 assists
  • 49 PR and a huge 62 PRA
  • 3 made threes

That’s a monster triple-double by any measure and a lock for anyone targeting PR, PRA or triple-double markets. He added 3 steals+blocks and 5 total TOS+stocks as well.

Denver got meaningful contributions from:

  • Spencer Jones: 28 pts, 5 reb, 0 ast, 33 PR and 33 PRA with 4 threes.
  • Peyton Watson: 15 pts, 5 reb, 3 ast, 20 PR and 23 PRA.
  • Tim Hardaway Jr.: 13 pts, 1 reb, 6 ast, 14 PR and 20 PRA.
  • Bruce Brown: 7 pts, 4 reb, 2 ast, 11 PR and 13 PRA.
  • Jamal Murray: 10 pts, 4 reb, 9 ast, 14 PR and 23 PRA with 2 threes.

For the Mavericks, Anthony Davis was huge statistically:

  • 32 points
  • 13 rebounds
  • 4 assists
  • 45 PR and 49 PRA with 2 threes and 3 steals+blocks.

He had help from Ryan Nembhard (28 pts, 3 reb, 10 ast, 31 PR and 41 PRA, 4 threes), Cooper Flagg (24 pts, 8 reb, 2 ast, 32 PR and 34 PRA), and Klay Thompson (15 pts, 5 reb, 1 ast, 20 PR and 21 PRA with 3 threes). Naji Marshall also chipped in 9 pts, 7 reb, 6 ast (16 PR / 22 PRA).

This was another classic overs and prop spot: 252 total points, huge lines from Jokić and Davis, and no shortage of three-point makes (Davis, Nembhard, Thompson, Spencer Jones and Jokić all connecting from deep). Line shopping on star PRA and three-pointers would have been crucial here.

Phoenix Suns vs Los Angeles Lakers

Phoenix (the away side in the data) took down the Lakers 125–108. The Suns broke the game open in the second quarter with a 35–21 stretch, building a 66–52 half-time lead and comfortably managing the margin from there.

Statistically, this game was dominated by Phoenix’s depth and balance rather than a single 40+ performance. Key Suns lines:

  • Dillon Brooks: 33 pts, 2 reb, 2 ast, 35 PR and 37 PRA with 2 threes and 5 TOS+stocks.
  • Collin Gillespie: 28 pts, 4 reb, 5 ast, 32 PR and 37 PRA, drilling 8 threes.
  • Royce O’Neale: 6 pts, 7 reb, 11 ast, 13 PR and 24 PRA with 2 threes.
  • Mark Williams: 13 pts, 6 reb, 1 ast, 19 PR and 20 PRA.
  • Jordan Goodwin: 13 pts, 1 reb, 5 ast, 14 PR and 19 PRA, plus 3 threes.
  • Ryan Dunn: 6 pts, 8 reb, 1 ast, 14 PR and 15 PRA with strong defensive stocks.

For the Lakers, Luka Dončić was the clear focal point:

  • 38 points
  • 11 rebounds
  • 5 assists
  • 49 PR and 54 PRA with 3 threes

He did turn the ball over 9 times, which is relevant if you’re playing TOS or TOS+stocks markets. Austin Reaves added 16 pts, 4 reb, 3 ast (20 PR / 23 PRA with 3 threes), while Deandre Ayton had 12 pts, 9 reb, 1 ast (21 PR / 22 PRA). Dalton Knecht also contributed 13 points and 4 boards (17 PR / 18 PRA with 3 triples).

Phoenix’s three-point shooting was the decisive edge – 8 threes from Gillespie alone, plus supplemental triples from Brooks, O’Neale, Goodwin and Devin Booker (11 pts, 2 reb, 3 ast, 13 PR / 16 PRA with 1 three). For bettors, this was another example where backing perimeter shooting overs – particularly on role players – could have been very profitable with the right price.

Wrapping Up: What Bettors Can Take From a Huge Night of Hoops

Across the board, this slate was defined by pace, offence and big individual stat lines. We saw:

  • Multiple games pushing or clearing 250 total points (Bucks vs Wizards, Rockets vs Jazz, Mavs vs Nuggets).
  • Stars putting up massive PRA numbers – Donovan Mitchell (58), Nikola Jokić (62), Alperen Şengün (53), Kevin Durant (46), and several others.
  • Role players smashing three-point markets, like Collin Gillespie with 8 threes, Norman Powell with 6, and Michael Porter Jr. with 7.

For punters, the key lesson is clear: in a league where scoring can spike like this, the best edges often sit in player props and derivative markets rather than just sides and totals. PRA, PR, RA, steals+blocks, and three-pointers made all offered strong angles in almost every matchup above.

That’s exactly where a quality odds comparison tool becomes essential. When you’re backing someone like Jokić for PRA, or trying to hit an over on a shooter such as Porter Jr. or Gillespie from deep, getting an extra half-point on a line or a few cents better on a price can be the difference between long-term profit and breaking even.

Before your next NBA bet – whether it’s a high-scoring shootout or a grind-it-out defensive clash – make sure you’re comparing prices across the bookies instead of taking the first number you see. Use our odds comparison tool to find the best lines on sides, totals and player markets, and turn nights like this one into a genuine edge rather than just a sweat.