There are ten video games on the NBA slate tonight, starting at 7 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. ET. Whereas the Celtics barely defeated the Detroit Pistons in extra time, can they keep undefeated at house tonight? With Joel Embiid out for the 76ers, can Philadelphia seize the win in opposition to Houston on the street? On this article, I’m choosing my favourite NBA performs of the day. You’ll be able to guess them single, or group right into a parlay, your alternative. I selected to take every particular person straight bets and positioned 1 unit on every. Right here you will discover the NBA betting odds, stats, developments, participant prop bets, and predictions for Friday, Dec. 29
🏀HUGE NBA Slate at this time!
What’s your favourite matchup?
Knicks @ Magic (-1.5)Nets (-6) @ WizardsBucks (-6) @ Cavaliers Kings @ Hawks (-1)Raptors @ Celtics (-8)76ers (-1.5) @ RocketsThunder @ Nuggets (-2.5)Hornets @ Suns (-15.5)Spurs @ Path Blazers (-5.5)Grizzlies @… pic.twitter.com/6oHslvMEhm
— Ballislife Bets (@BallislifeBets) December 29, 2023
*Odds courtesy of DraftKings SportsbookKnicks (-1) (-115) @ Magic (-105): O/U 226Nets (-6) (-238) @ Wizards (+195): O/U 241.5Kings (-1) @ Hawks (-110): O/U 252Bucks (-6) (-238) @ Cavaliers (+195): O/U 239.5Raptors (+195) @ Celtics (-6)(-238): O/U 224.576ers (-1.5)(-118) @ Rockets (-102): O/U 224Thunder (+100) @ Nuggets (-1.5) (-120): O/U 236.5Hornets (+800) @ Suns (-16)(-1350): O/U 232Spurs (+190) @ Path Blazers (-230) (-5.5): O/U 233Grizzlies (+210) @ Clippers (-6)(-258): O/U 225.5
Wager #1: Toronto Raptors +6 vs. Celtics
The Boston Celtics (24-6, 15-0 house) will host the Toronto Raptors (12-18, 4-9 away) at house tonight. The one undefeated group at house, the Celtics are coming off an exciting 128-122 extra time victory in opposition to the Pistons. Whereas Boston has a 3-1 win/loss document coming off back-to-back video games, I selected to remain away from the cash line tonight.
Tonight, Boston are the clear minimize favorites, with a 65.8 p.c likelihood to win, in line with ESPN Analytics. Nevertheless, there may be a lot uncertainty within the lineup, with Jrue Vacation, Jaylen Brown, and Jayson Tatum all listed as questionable. Even worse, Boston will probably be with out Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford, as Horford would not play in back-to backs.
Whereas the Raptors are pretty wholesome, they’re 14-16-0 in opposition to the unfold, through which they’ve a 4-9 win/loss document on the street. 3-7 of their final ten video games, they not too long ago coated the favored -6.5 unfold in opposition to the Wizards. Apart from that, they have not been in a position to cowl any unfold since Dec. 18 versus the Charlotte Hornets. Solely 2-3 of their final 5 matchups, Toronto had some robust seems to be in opposition to Philadelphia and Denver. Respectively, they misplaced to the 76ers by ten factors, and the Nuggets, 9 factors.
W in Washington 😤 pic.twitter.com/bHYZkWftKZ
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) December 28, 2023
Total, the Celtics personal the Raptors, standing at 8-2 in opposition to them within the final ten conferences. Their first matchup, Boston smoked Toronto, 117-94 at house, which I used to be in attendance. Their second matchup, the Raptors saved the sport inside three factors at house. It is essential to notice, the Celtics beginning 5 was totally wholesome for that recreation.
For the Celtics, they’re 9-1 of their final ten video games, together with 4 consecutive wins. Nevertheless, they barely snuck out a win versus the Pistons, and are banged up. 15-13-2 in opposition to the unfold, the Celtics sarcastically common essentially the most factors off zero days relaxation, at 126.8. Boston has already confronted a number of exams with varied gamers out of the lineup. With Horford and Porzingis out tonight, Lamar Stevens will get the check at Middle. If there are extra accidents, I would not be as reluctant to take Toronto cash line.
Offensively, these two groups aren’t on the identical wavelength when wholesome. Unable to generate enough offense, the Raptors rank 18th in offensive effectivity( 113.5), the place the Celtics rank 4th general (120.5). Whereas Toronto began off as among the finest defensive groups, they rank 14th in defensive effectivity, whereas Boston ranks close to the highest.
Coming off a 132-102 victory over the Washington Wizards is not definitely a press release, however the Raptors do maintain the momentum. After avoiding an embarassing loss yesterday, the Raptors ought to have the ability to make the most of the Celtics grueling schedule, together with their harm illnesses.
Head coach Darko Rajakovic has performed round with the beginning 5, taking Dennis Schroder out for Gary Trent Jr. It is essential to notice, Siakam, Anunoby, and Barnes are all coming over 20+ level video games.
Given the Raptors aren’t horrible defensively, I anticipate them to hold round with the Celtics tonight. I might be genuinely stunned if each Tatum, Brown, and Vacation all determined to suite up. Search for Toronto to capitalize tonight.
Wager #2: Trae Younger 10+ Assists vs. Kings
If there is a participant prop I really like tonight, It is Trae Younger to have over 10 assists. Averaging 28.1 factors and 11.3 assists per recreation, Younger will get the Sacramento Kings who allowed the twenty third most assists (27.2) within the NBA. Coming off 4 straight video games with 13 plus, is there any group that may cease Younger from meting out dimes as of proper now?
10 + assists is a prop that is hit 67 p.c this season, and in eight straight video games. When you’re betting on the NBA, the Hawks play at house, the place Younger is coming off a 15 and 13 whole help evening in opposition to the Detroit Pistons, and the Memphis Grizzlies. Whereas i’ve made the error of taking below Younger assists, it is exhausting to fade a participant who’s averaging 40 minutes within the final three video games, and hasn’t dished out lower than ten assists since Dec. 11 in opposition to the Nuggets.
Trae dimes up Bogi 🪙 pic.twitter.com/7opWnQRfYx
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) December 27, 2023
The return of Jalen Johnson has been a huge effect on the Hawks offensively. Sharing the backcourt with Dejounte Murray, Younger has the choice of hitting Bey and Bogdanovich, who’s been a confirmed sniper from downtown. Though DeAndre Hunter is out for tonights matchup, the Kings have not too long ago allowed Scoot Henderson, and Jrue Vacation to hit 10+ assists.
Surprisingly, the Hawks have the fifth finest offensive within the league, though they stand at 12-18. Whereas they rank center of the street in assists, it is the protection that is been a difficulty. At the moment, Younger leads the Hawks in factors scored and assists. In his first assembly with Sacramento this season, he final had seven and 6 assists in opposition to the Kings 2022, and early 2023.
Sure the Hawks are struggling, nevertheless, Younger has clearly proved his worth, particularly for the reason that group features considerably higher when he is on the court docket. Placing up historic numbers, it is exhausting to fade this prop, as I’ll proceed to trip the recent hand. Plus, the Kings are a multitude defensively. Since his prop line is decrease than his season common, I am taking Younger to have a giant evening tonight.
Wager #3: Bradley Beal 12.5+ Factors vs. Hornets
It is no secret the Phoenix Suns are struggling, and that is been primarily attributable to Bradley Beals harm historical past. A group that is constructed to “win now” with Booker, Beal, and Durant, search for Beal to make an instantaneous impression tonight in opposition to the Hornets. Usually, I do not guess on participant props, particularly getting back from harm. Nevertheless, Phoenix has a chief matchup with Charlotte, and with rising frustrations within the Valley, they are going to want him to step up tonight.
12.5 factors is a low whole, particularly for Beal who’s used to being the primary scorer. Though a small pattern measurement, Beal hit the over in 5 of the six matchups he is performed this season. A 86 p.c hit price throughout the 2022/2023 season, over 12.5 factors has hit in 11 of his final 15 video games.
Tonight, the Suns will face the Hornets who permit the twenty sixth most factors within the NBA (121). Even worse, they rank close to final in a number of statistical classes, together with rebound, assists, opponent three-point proportion, and discipline purpose proportion. With LaMelo Ball out with harm, the Hornets may also be with out Gordon Hayward tonight. On the street, that primarily leaves Brandon Miller or Terry Rozier with the duty of guarding Beal.
INJURY UPDATE: Bradley Beal is obtainable for tonight’s recreation. pic.twitter.com/A1x3HQ86nT
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) December 29, 2023
In his final three outings in opposition to Charlotte, the newly acquired guard scored 26, 33, and 17 factors, all again final season, and as a member of the Washington Wizards. Sure, he’ll should share the scoring with Durant and Booker. Nevertheless, with a number of minimal participant signed, Beal ought to take the beginning place of Grayson Allen or Eric Gordon. Apart from that, Phoenix ranks twenty sixth in bench factors with 29.4 per recreation.
Whereas it is unclear if he will probably be on a minute restriction, Charlotte most not too long ago allowed Bennedict Mathurin, Gary Trent Jr. Duncan Robinson, Coby White, and Cam Thomas to all rating over 12.5 factors. Whereas Beal was harm in opposition to the Knicks on Dec.15, he did rating six factors in 5 minutes.
7-9 at house, the Suns will look to bounce again in entrance of their house followers at FootPrint Middle. In 5 video games at house, Beal hit over this prop in 4 of 5 video games, together with 24 factors in opposition to the Los Angeles Lakers.
In six common season matchups, the guard is averaging 14.7 factors, on 42.9 p.c three-point and 44.9 discipline purpose taking pictures. After going by means of a tricky 3-9 stretch, the Suns are coming off a formidable 129-113 victory over the Rockets. Though the massive three have solely performed 25 minutes collectively this season, I am all on the Beal practice tonight versus a weak protection riddled with accidents.
Wager #4: Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder +1.5 vs. Nuggets
Barely a dangerous play tonight, I really like the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder to cowl the unfold tonight in opposition to the Denver Nuggets. 20-9 on the season, the Thunder are 8-4 on the street, whereas the Nuggets are 13-2 at house. Two of one of the best groups within the west, Oklahoma Metropolis presently stands a recreation behind Denver for the No. 3 seed. With such a younger, gifted core, the Thunder lead the Western Convention with a +7.7 level differential, and rank sixth in offensive ranking (118.8).
Do not be alarmed, the Thunder are the actual deal. With Chet Holmgren favored to win Rookie of the Yr, the group performs at a quick tempo, and just like the Nuggets, are on the prime by way of assists/turnover ratio. Defensively, they rank sixth in defensive ranking, holding opponents to 113.6 factors per recreation. Offensively, each the Thunder and Nuggets averaging close to the identical three-point proportion, and Oklahoma Metropolis ranks third general in discipline purpose proportion (49.7).
The Thunder are the most-bet ATS group by deal with for tonight’s NBA slate.
OKC is presently +2.5 for tonight’s matchup in opposition to the Nuggets in Denver 👀 pic.twitter.com/9QLivxinov
— DraftKings Sportsbook (@DKSportsbook) December 29, 2023
To me, these groups are pretty comparable on paper, besides the very fact Denver has NBA Championship expertise. Using a six recreation win streak, the Nuggets are coming off a 37 level win in opposition to the Memphis Grizzlies, and could have a back-to-back recreation tonight. Very like the Boston Celtics, the Denver Nuggets have a 5-1 document when coming off zero days relaxation, and Nikola Jokic is coming off a triple double in opposition to Memphis.
Whereas Denver is enjoying unimaginable, so are the Thunder. 20-9 in opposition to the unfold, the Thunder are 7-3 of their final ten video games. What’s extra spectacular, this group had exhausting fought victories over the Knicks, Timberwolves, Clippers, and Warriors. Of their final matchup, the Thunder coated the +5.5 unfold, the defeated the Nuggets 118-117.
It is price a shot to sprinkle somewhat bit on the Thunder, who’re clearly profitable video games versus groups over .500, and already beat the Nuggets as soon as. They’re a greater taking pictures group and may completely hold in there defensively. They’re 5-1 in opposition to the unfold of their final six video games. When you’re betting on the NBA, I might ever decide Thunder cash line as a straight guess.
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Sara Jane Gamelli is a full-time Sportswriter at Ballislife, and Sports activities Content material Creator on Twitch and TikTok. She has a give attention to the NBA, WNBA, NCAA Basketball, and the NFL. Sara Jane presently resides in Connecticut/NYC space together with her Cat and Canine. SJ has her undergraduate diploma from the College of Connecticut in Economics, with a minor in enterprise administration.
