With 12 NBA matchups scheduled for Saturday, December 21, bettors have a lot of action to consider on DraftKings Sportsbook. Here are my top betting picks for today’s NBA card.
Here’s a look at the full schedule for today’s games:
Lakers at Kings, 6 p.m. EST
Heat at Magic, 7 p.m. EST
Grizzlies at Hawks, 7:30 p.m. EST
Jazz at Nets, 7:30 p.m. EST
76ers at Cavaliers, 8 p.m. EST
Celtics at Bulls, 8 p.m. EST
Wizards at Bucks, 8 p.m. EST
Warriors at Timberwolves, 8 p.m. EST
Knicks at Pelicans, 8 p.m. EST
Clippers at Mavericks, 8:30 p.m. EST
Trail Blazers at Spurs, 8:30 p.m. EST
Pistons at Suns, 9 p.m. EST
Hawks +1 (-112)
With Ja Morant out for this game, the Grizzlies will face a significant challenge on the road against the Hawks. Memphis had been operating with one of the top offenses in the league, particularly after its record-setting performance against Golden State. The Hawks can potentially exploit Memphis’ struggles with defending the three-point line and the team’s lack of depth with Morant sidelined. It doesn’t help the Grizzlies’ outlook that Marcus Smart is also questionable on the injury report. Atlanta has been playing well recently, and with its ability to score in bunches led by Trae Young, expect it to cover the +1 spread at home.
Knicks -8 (-108)
New York has been firing on all cylinders, especially with Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns combining for massive offensive outputs. On the other hand, the Pelicans have been struggling with injuries and have dropped 20 of their last 22 games. The Knicks have been effective against weaker opponents, and their recent dominance makes them strong favorites here. The Pelicans are missing key players like Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram, which disadvantages them. Expect the Knicks to cover the -8 spread comfortably in this one.
Timberwolves -3 (-110)
After a tough loss to the Knicks, the Timberwolves are looking to bounce back in this matchup with the Warriors, who have struggled with consistency. Minnesota has shown it can compete with top teams, especially with Anthony Edwards leading the charge. The Warriors are on a losing streak and have struggled to execute, especially on defense. With Stephen Curry and Draymond Green struggling in their recent loss to Memphis, the Warriors will be motivated to bounce back, but they are in the middle of a prolonged rough stretch. Now, they’re going to have to get used to integrating Dennis Schroder into the mix. Expect the Timberwolves to cover the -3 spread and bounce back from their defeat.
Suns -6 (-110)
Phoenix will be without Devin Booker due to injury, but it still has plenty of firepower, with Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal leading the offense. The Pistons have had a tough time on defense, and with Phoenix’s scoring depth, it’s unlikely they’ll be able to keep up. Detroit has had recent issues defending the perimeter, and with the Suns’ ability to stretch the floor, they should take advantage. Despite missing Booker, Phoenix has enough talent to cover the -6 spread against a struggling Pistons team. Any time a team has Durant, he will elevate the team in a way that can get the job done on a nightly basis. It’s hard to bet against him against a non-elite Eastern Conference opponent.
Mavericks -3.5 (-112)
The Mavericks will look to rebound from a disappointing 118-95 loss to the Clippers in the first of back-to-back games. Dallas was without both Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, but with Irving expected to return and Doncic still out, the Mavs will need a team effort to bounce back. Los Angeles has been playing well, but it remains without Kawhi Leonard, and Norman Powell has been its primary scoring option, averaging a team-best 23.7 points. He scored 29 in Thursday’s matchup, while James Harden’s 24 points and seven assists accompanied by Ivica Zubac’s 21 points, 15 rebounds and five assists only helped. With Irving back in the lineup, the Mavs have a solid chance to cover the spread at home, as they have a 5-1 record in games Irving plays without Doncic this season.
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All odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.
I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is grant-afseth) and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and do not constitute a representation that any particular strategy will guarantee success. All customers should use their own skills and judgment in building lineups. I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.
