With six NBA matchups scheduled for Tuesday, December 31, bettors have exciting opportunities 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:
Raptors at Celtics, 3 p.m. EST
Bucks at Pacers, 3 p.m. EST
Clippers at Spurs, 7 p.m. EST
Timberwolves at Thunder, 8 p.m. EST
Grizzlies at Suns, 9 p.m. EST
Cavaliers at Lakers, 9 p.m. EST
Clippers +4.5 (-115)
Despite missing Kawhi Leonard, the Clippers have been effective, particularly with Norman Powell stepping up as the primary scorer. Los Angeles is in good form coming off a hard-fought victory against New Orleans, in which Powell scored 35 points. San Antonio, led by Victor Wembanyama, is improving but has struggled with late-game execution. While Wembanyama remains a dynamic force to be reckoned with, the Clippers’ impactful defensive identity and depth of scorers should give them the edge to cover the +4.5 spread.
Thunder -7 (-112)
The Thunder are riding an 11-game winning streak, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander playing at an MVP level, averaging 32.8 points per game. Ajay Mitchell’s recent performances have further bolstered the team’s depth, and with Mitchell’s ability to contribute on both ends, the Thunder’s offense and defense are clicking. Oklahoma City’s high-scoring offense should overpower Minnesota, especially with the Timberwolves struggling to find consistent scoring from players outside Anthony Edwards. Oklahoma City should cover the -7 spread comfortably in this matchup.
Cavaliers -4 (-108)
Cleveland enters Tuesday’s game on a seven-game winning streak, dominating offensively and defensively. Their victory against Golden State showed just how efficient they can be, limiting their opponent to just 33% shooting. Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, and Evan Mobley have been leading the charge for the Cavaliers. Their balanced offense is tough to stop. The Los Angeles Lakers, despite recent wins, face uncertainty, with LeBron James and Anthony Davis often listed as questionable lately. Cleveland’s depth should be enough for them to cover the -4 spread on the road.
Bucks -1.5 (-108)
Milwaukee heads into this matchup with a chance to bounce back after two consecutive losses. Giannis Antetokounmpo’s potential return from illness is crucial as he remains questionable. However, despite the Bucks missing him in their previous games, the team remains competitive. Damian Lillard’s strong play has kept them afloat, and Milwaukee has the experience to get the job done against Indiana, who is coming off a solid win over Boston. Tyrese Haliburton’s leadership for the Pacers should keep it competitive at least, but the Bucks’ firepower, if Antetokounmpo plays, should help Milwaukee cover the -1.5 spread.
Raptors +16.5 (-108)
The Raptors have struggled this season, but they’ll look to cover a hefty spread against the Celtics on Tuesday. Despite a 10-game losing streak and poor performance on the road, Toronto will be bolstered by the return of Jakob Poeltl and Bruce Brown to the lineup. The Celtics are dealing with injuries to key players like Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis, which has affected their consistency. Toronto has played a lot of teams competitively despite its poor record this season, making covering the +16.5 spread is a realistic scenario.
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All odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook, lines and odds subject to change.
I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user 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.