NBA Predictions As we speak: Finest Bets and Participant Props

The 2024-25 NBA season is in full swing. I will be providing my greatest bets and props to the gamers right here within the NBA at any time when potential, and I will additionally often write options about massive information shaking up the league. So, make sure you try my work all through the season. With that, let’s get into a few of the greatest NBA bets and NBA participant provides for Tuesday, December thirty first. Additionally make sure you 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 31

Finest NBA Bets As we speak – December 31

Minnesota Timberwolves & Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder – 8:00 PM ET

That whole went from 215.5 to 217, however I like Underneath. This season, Oklahoma Metropolis is first within the league in adjusted defensive ranking (105.0) and Minnesota is fourth (108.7). Additionally, whereas the Thunder could need to play at a quicker tempo, the Timberwolves do not need to in any respect. So, regardless that Oklahoma ranks ninth within the league in possessions per 48 minutes (100.5), Minnesota has fallen to twenty fourth within the league (98.1). Nonetheless, if the Timberwolves win out in relation to model of play, this might be a half-court recreation with each groups drilling defensively. It is value noting that Minnesota has been profitable the stylistic battle lots recently. The Underneath is 10-4 within the Timberwolves’ final 14 video games performed. They’re additionally 7-4 within the Thunder’s final 11 video games performed, so it is not as in the event that they usually get entangled in high-scoring affairs.

It is also value noting that the Underneath is 4-3 within the Timberwolves’ seven video games performed in opposition to opponents with a profitable proportion of 70.0% or increased over the previous two seasons. They’re additionally 3-1 within the 4 video games they’ve performed in opposition to groups permitting a taking pictures proportion of 43.0% or much less in that span. In the meantime, the Underneath is 11-6 in video games performed for the Thunder with a complete of 210-219.5 for the reason that begin of final 12 months. So, when Oklahoma Metropolis’s video games are anticipated to be low scoring, they have an inclination to play out that method.

Nonetheless, I have to word that this can be a smaller play for me, and I do not prefer it as a lot in relation to sides or totals tonight. However if you happen to scroll down a little bit bit, I’ve made a fairly large funding that I like within the two late video games.

Wager: Underneath 217 (-110)

Props to NBA Participant of the Day – December thirty first

Milwaukee Bucks & Indiana Pacers – 3:00 PM EST

Damian Lillard has six video games with at the least 27 factors in his final 11 video games performed. The 34-year-old now faces a Pacers crew that ranks simply twenty fourth within the league in adjusted defensive ranking (115.0). Indiana additionally occurs to be enjoying on the eighth-fastest tempo within the league (100.9). Nonetheless, this might be an up and down recreation, and one the place Lillard ought to be capable to assault persistently in good video games. With no wholesome Aaron Nesmith, I am unsure there is a single level guard defender within the Pacers’ rotation that opponents are afraid to face. Andrew Nembhard can be the nearer.

It is also exhausting to disregard that Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton are questionable for this matchup. If both of them misses, the Bucks will count on extra from Lillard offensively. That may make this an excellent play. However I like his probabilities of beating each of them within the lineup. If not, I would not take it.

Wager: Lillard Over 25.5 Factors (-105)

Promotions/Teasers/Lately Added Performs/In-Season Futures

Parlay: Suns ML vs. Grizzlies & Lakers Alt Unfold +7.5 vs. Cavaliers (+144 – 1.5 items) – It seems to be just like the Suns will get Devin Booker and Grayson Allen again tonight. That is some much-needed offensive firepower for a Phoenix crew that has been defending a little bit higher recently. Memphis might be with out Ja Morant, Marcus Good, Jake Laravia, Vince Williams Jr., Zach Edey, Santi Aldama, Brandon Clarke and JJ Jackson tonight. There are a lot of gamers that the Grizzlies can often depend on in rotation minutes. Nonetheless, the Suns ought to actually win tonight. Possibly it will not be straightforward. That was by no means the case with Phoenix. The crew lacks an id proper now, and that is not one thing Memphis is coping with — even with so many gamers lacking. But when the Suns cannot win this recreation, you possibly can most likely count on to listen to some massive commerce rumors quickly.

In Recreation 2, I will take an alternate hand to go over two key numbers in a recreation I feel the Lakers can win outright. Los Angeles is beginning to play higher defensively, and Cleveland is on the second night time of a back-to-back. The Lakers also needs to have a little bit further vitality with Dorian Finney-Smith making his debut this night. I am very proud of how LA will look shifting ahead, and I feel the crew will make a pleasant little assertion tonight. The explanation I selected the alternate quantity is as a result of I’ve a substantial amount of respect for Cleveland. If the Lakers are a little bit off their defensive rotations, the Cavaliers will make them pay.

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2024-25 NBA report: 141-136-1 (+6.52 items)