Date: Friday, December 5, 2025
The Vibe: High risk, high reward, and some very specific reads on player psychology.
Good morning, hoop heads! We’ve got a slate of games kicking off at 2:00 AM that smells like opportunity. If you’re up late (or waking up early) to sweat these lines, you need to look past the spreadsheets. Today isn’t about stats; it’s about motivation, locker room vibes, and who actually wants to be there.
Here is my no-nonsense guide to the Friday morning slate. Let’s make some money.
1. Golden State Warriors @ Philadelphia 76ers
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Time: 2:00 AM
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TV: NBA TV
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The Line: PHI -4.5 | O/U: 223.5
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The Pick: Golden State Warriors (+4.5)
Look, the Sixers are tough at home, I get it. But there is one rule in the NBA that has paid my rent for years: Never bet against an angry Jimmy Butler.
The reports coming out of the Warriors’ camp are that Jimmy is fuming. We don’t know exactly what set him off this time—maybe it’s a lack of touches, maybe it’s the media noise—but when Butler is in “scorched earth” mode, he doesn’t lose. He drags his team to wins. I’m expecting him to take this personally, especially going back to Philly. Grab the points, but honestly? I like them to win outright.
👉 Check the latest Warriors injury report here
2. Boston Celtics @ Washington Wizards
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Time: 2:00 AM
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Ticket Deal: Tickets as low as $30
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The Line: BOS -9.5 | O/U: 227.5
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The Pick: Boston Celtics (-9.5)
Don’t overthink this one. Sometimes the obvious play is the right play. Boston is playing championship-level basketball, moving the ball, and defending. Meanwhile, Washington… well, they are doing exactly what we expected Washington to do. They are just taking up space on the schedule right now.
The talent gap here is the size of the Grand Canyon. Boston should cover this 9.5 spread by halftime.
3. Utah Jazz @ Brooklyn Nets
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Time: 2:30 AM
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Ticket Deal: Tickets as low as $11 (Ouch)
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The Line: UTAH -4.5 | O/U: 231.5
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The Pick: Brooklyn Nets (+4.5)
This line is a trap. You see Utah as a favorite and think, “Safe bet,” right? Wrong. Utah is slowly, quietly starting to pull the plug on the season. The “tank” is creeping in.
On the other side, Brooklyn is scrappy. I know the public is down on them, but in a game between two struggling teams, I’m fading the team that has incentive to lose. Give me the Nets at home to keep it close or win outright against a Jazz team that is already looking at draft boards.
4. Los Angeles Lakers @ Toronto Raptors
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Time: 2:30 AM
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The Line: TOR -1.5 | O/U: 228.5
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The Pick: Toronto Raptors (-1.5)
I watched the Lakers’ last game, and I have to be honest: LeBron James looked checked out. His focus wasn’t there, the body language was heavy, and when the King is drifting, the Lakers crumble.
Toronto, on the other hand, is much better than the credit they’re getting. They are disciplined, they defend home court, and they catch the Lakers on a cold night. With the line basically a pick’em, I’m taking the team that is actually locked in. North over West.
👉 See the current Eastern Conference Standings
5. Minnesota Timberwolves @ New Orleans Pelicans
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Time: 3:00 AM
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The Line: MIN -11.5 | O/U: 233.5
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The Pick: New Orleans Pelicans (+11.5)
Wait, hear me out.
I know what the paper says. Minnesota is the better team. But the narrative shifted the moment Zion Williamson got hurt. Everyone thinks New Orleans is dead, but I actually think this helps them tonight. Zion is an incredible talent, but let’s be real—he was becoming a bad influence in that locker room. The vibes were off.
Now that he’s out, the young guys are loose. Specifically, keep an eye on Derik Queen. The rookie has been playing with a massive chip on his shoulder and the team looks more cohesive without the drama. They might not win, but 11.5 points is way too many to give a young, hungry team that just felt a weight lift off their shoulders.
📝 The Final Slip
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GSW +4.5 (The “Angry Jimmy” Lock)
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BOS -9.5
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BKN +4.5
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TOR -1.5
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NO +11.5
Good luck, and remember: bet with your head, not over it. See you at tip-off!
Disclaimer: All odds are subject to change. Please gamble responsibly.
