NBA Predictions As we speak: Finest Bets and Participant Props

The 2024-25 NBA season is in full swing. You’ll want to try the superb work of Jonathan von Tobelwho can be writing in-depth NBA options for us this yr. Strive listening to the numbers recreation each morning Kelly Bedlon He usually dishes out his favourite NBA picks. However I will be giving the very best bets and props to gamers within the NBA right here each time doable, and I am going to additionally sometimes write options about massive information shaking up the league. So, remember to try my work all through the season. With that out of the best way, let’s go over among the greatest NBA bets and NBA participant provides for Sunday, December twenty second. Additionally remember to try the Alternatives web page (linked under) earlier than beginning the video games. I generally add pictures all through the day.

MORE: Check out our Pro Picks page to see everything our experts have on December 22

As we speak’s NBA Finest Bets – December 22

Houston Rockets & Toronto Raptors – 6:00 PM EST

I am totally conscious of the truth that the Raptors are a nasty staff. They’re now 7-21 on the season, have misplaced loads of shut video games and have had among the worst damage conditions within the league up to now. Nonetheless, books proceed to position large spreads on their video games and proceed to cowl them. Toronto is 18-9-1 towards the unfold this season, and that features a 10-4-1 mark in house video games. The Raptors additionally go 9-3 ATS when going through Western Convention opponents.

There are dangerous groups on this league that collapse on the drop of a hat, and people are the groups which have depressing head-to-head and ATS information. However there are additionally groups that compete and play the proper manner, and that’s Toronto. The Raptors could also be dropping, however they play laborious each night time they usually will not let up. With that in thoughts, I am a little bit shocked that quantity is so excessive towards a Rockets staff that’s simply 2-4 ATS of their final six video games. Houston can also be lacking Tarry Eason, who brings power, tenacity and elite protection off the bench.

It simply so occurs that the Raptors now have Scottie Barnes again, and it is not loopy to suppose he’ll be the very best participant on the ground on this recreation. On the very least, he is near Barnes and Alberin Singon. And Barnes is not fully with out assist for the time being. Certain, Jakob Poeltl and Immanuel Quickley are out, and Davion Mitchell is questionable. However RJ Barrett has been good all yr, and the Raptors have a number of different gamers who can step up and play effectively in a spot like this.

Houston will possible discover a strategy to win this recreation outright, because the Rockets have an incredible protection and have realized how one can win shut video games collectively this yr. However do not be shocked if Toronto will get feisty by three quarters and makes Houston sweat.

Betting: Raptors +8.5 (-114 – 2 items)

Indiana Pacers & Sacramento Kings – 6:00 PM ET

The Pacers have received three straight video games and 4 of their final 5. Additionally they had two days off since their win over the Suns in Phoenix. In the meantime, the Kings play the second night time of a back-to-back and the third recreation in 4 nights. It is a large aid for Indiana, and the Pacers are a greater basketball staff than the Kings anyway.

Indiana has had its struggles offensively this season, however the staff’s offensive score has returned to 117.6 over its final 5 video games. The Pacers seem like the staff they had been destined to complete final season, and that makes them laborious to cross up at an additional worth tonight. Indiana ought to be capable to choose aside a Sacramento staff that’s actually struggling defensively. We have simply seen Los Angeles do precisely that in back-to-back video games. The Pacers simply want to hold up defensively, however they have been a little bit higher on that facet of the ground recently. The Kings are additionally coping with some off-field drama, as Wealthy Paul seems to have put some strain on the Kings entrance workplace to enhance De Aaron Fox’s particular person scenario.

One other factor to level out when trying on the relaxation is that Indiana outscored its opponents by 11.4 factors per recreation when enjoying simply the second recreation in seven days below Rick Carlisle. The Pacers are 10-1 in these video games.

Betting: Pacers ML (+115 – 1.5 items)

Props to NBA Participant of the Day – December 22

Denver Nuggets & New Orleans Pelicans – 7:00 PM ET

Primarily based on weights listed on ESPN, Nikola Jokic has 49 kilos on rookie Yves Messi. There are one million the explanation why your favourite MVP may dominate this recreation, however this can be a massive one. He’ll be capable to transfer Messi anytime he needs, probably placing the 20-year-old in massive bother sooner or later. Nonetheless, Messi is a strong shot blocker. In actual fact, the rookie ranks sixteenth within the NBA in block price (4.1%), which is why it is attention-grabbing that he’ll come away with over-the-money odds to complete with a minimum of two blocks this night. Though Jokic may have his manner with Messi, the teen can be across the ball rather a lot. And primarily based on his superiority in each athleticism and top, it is laborious to think about Messi not choosing up some blocks on this recreation. Along with having loads of alternatives to dam Jokic’s pictures, he may also be capable to do his standard job as a weak-side shot blocker. Denver has some gamers who might be responsible of aimlessly attacking the rim. With out mentioning names, however one in all them is Russell Westbrook.

Wager: Messi on 1.5 blocks (+135)

Promotions/Teasers/Just lately Added Performs/In-Season Futures

Nothing but.

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2024-25 NBA document: 124-116 (+6.19 items)