With eight NBA matchups scheduled for Friday, December 27, bettors have a busy night with intriguing opportunities 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:
Knicks at Magic, 7 p.m. EST
Pacers at Celtics, 7:30 p.m. EST
Spurs at Nets, 7:30 p.m. EST
Timberwolves at Rockets, 8 p.m. EST
Grizzlies at Pelicans, 8 p.m. EST
Cavaliers at Nuggets, 9 p.m. EST
Mavericks at Suns, 9 p.m. EST
Warriors at Clippers, 10 p.m. EST
Rockets -1 (-108)
The Rockets have turned a corner lately, extending their win streak to four games, including an impressive 128-111 victory over the Pelicans. The offense has been clicking, even without key contributors Dillon Brooks and Tari Eason. Houston has found their rhythm, particularly on offense, shooting 48.1% during the streak. Jalen Green and Fred VanVleet are playing some of their best basketball, combining for 55 points in the win over New Orleans. The Timberwolves, however, have not found consistency this season. They snapped a three-game losing streak with a win over Dallas, but Minnesota’s offense still struggles to click. With Houston playing solid defense and their offense in a groove, look for the Rockets to cover the -1 spread at home.
Suns -1.5 (-112)
The Mavericks will be without Luka Doncic, who suffered a calf strain on Christmas Day. On the other hand, Phoenix has come to life with a two-game win streak, highlighted by a 110-100 victory over the Nuggets. Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal scored 27 points in that win, showing just how potent the Suns can be even without Devin Booker in the lineup. Despite the Suns’ injury issues, their defensive game has tightened up, and with Doncic out, Dallas will struggle to keep pace. The Suns are 2-0 against the Mavericks this season, and with their depth and offensive firepower, they should cover the -1.5 spread at home.
Clippers -4.5 (-112)
With Stephen Curry sidelined for Golden State, the Clippers are favored to cover the -4.5 spread. The Warriors have shown resilience in recent games, with Curry’s 38-point performance on Christmas nearly sparking a late comeback. However, without Curry, Golden State lacks the offensive spark it desperately needs, and the Clippers should take advantage of this. Despite still being without Kawhi Leonard, the Clippers have demonstrated the ability to defend effectively without Leonard. As long as James Harden and Norman Powell perform to expectation, Los Angeles has a strong outlook. The Warriors’ struggles and lack of reliable depth without Curry make the Clippers a solid pick to cover the -4.5 spread.
Nuggets +3 (-115)
Denver has been strong recently, with Nikola Jokic continuing his MVP-caliber play. While Cleveland has impressed with a five-game win streak, the Nuggets have been able to compete with the best, even on the road. Jokic’s ability to impact every area of the game will be the key to Denver staying competitive, and with the Cavaliers dealing with injuries to key players like Dean Wade and Isaac Okoro, they may struggle to keep up. The Nuggets have also been getting contributions from Jamal Murray, and despite his injury issues, he’s been solid. With Jokić leading the charge, take Denver to cover the +3 spread.
Knicks -7 (-105)
The Knicks have been one of the hottest teams lately, winning 15 of their last 19 games, including nine of 11 this month. They’ve already beaten Orlando twice in December, including a 100-91 win in Orlando just two weeks ago. Mikal Bridges has been playing at an elite level, averaging 22.7 points in December while shooting an efficient 57.7% from the field. Orlando has struggled, especially without Franz Wagner, and is coming off a loss to the Heat, involving a late-game collapse. With the Knicks playing as well as they are, take them to cover the -7 spread on the road against the Magic.
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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 skill 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.
