Tonight’s Best NBA Tips – Sunday, 28th December

GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS @ TORONTO RAPTORS

Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON
Odds: GS $1.56 / TOR $2.50

TEAM TRENDS

• Raptors have failed to cover the spread in each of their last 7 home games
• Raptors have lost each of their last 6 games vs Western teams with a winning record
• 7 of the Warriors’ last 8 games vs Eastern teams have gone UNDER
• Warriors have won the 1st half in 7 of their last 8 games

WIN/LOSS

SEASON POINTS +/-

PICKS ATS

The Golden State Warriors visit Toronto on Sunday afternoon as the Raptors look to snap a five-game home losing streak. Toronto has been solid overall this season but has struggled at home, sitting at 8–7, while Golden State continues to search for consistency away from Chase Center with a 6–11 road record.

The Raptors rely heavily on ball movement, ranking fifth in the NBA in assists per game, and score slightly more per night than Golden State typically allows. However, recent form has dipped, with Toronto going 3–7 over its last 10 games and scoring just over 104 points per contest during that stretch. Defense has been steadier, holding opponents to 111.0 points per game.

Golden State brings one of the league’s stronger defensive profiles, ranking fourth in points allowed and holding opponents to 46.2% shooting. The Warriors are an even 5–5 over their last 10 games and have been more efficient offensively than Toronto lately, averaging 114.6 points per game in that span.

INJURIES: Raptors: Jakob Poeltl: day to day (back), RJ Barrett: out (knee), Collin Murray-Boyles: day to day (illness).

INJURIES: Warriors: LJ Cryer: day to day (back), Seth Curry: day to day (thigh).

PICK – UNDER 224.5 TOTAL POINTS

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PHILADELPHIA 76ERS @ OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER

Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK
Odds: PHI $7.00 / OKC $1.11

TEAM TRENDS

• 76ers have covered the spread in each of their last 8 games when playing with a rest disadvantage
• Thunder have won each of their last 17 games on the first leg of a back-to-back
• 7 of the 76ers’ last 8 road games vs Western Conference teams have gone OVER
• Thunder have won the 1st half in 12 of their last 13 home games

WIN/LOSS

SEASON POINTS +/-

PICKS ATS

The Philadelphia 76ers visit Oklahoma City on Sunday afternoon for a non-conference matchup against the NBA-leading Thunder. Oklahoma City has been dominant at home with a 14–2 record, while Philadelphia has held its own on the road at 7–5.

The Thunder continue to balance elite defense with efficient scoring, averaging 13.7 made three-pointers per game and holding opponents under 109 points over their last 10 contests. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander remains the focal point, while Oklahoma City has won six of its last 10 overall.

Philadelphia enters in solid form at 6–4 over its last 10 games, leaning heavily on Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid for scoring. The 76ers average 116.1 points per game on the season but have struggled with shooting efficiency recently. This matchup pits one of the league’s best home teams against a Philadelphia squad capable of keeping pace offensively.

INJURIES: Thunder: Ajay Mitchell: day to day (concussion), Nikola Topic: out (groin), Thomas Sorber: out for season (knee), Ousmane Dieng: day to day (calf), Jaylin Williams: day to day (foot).

INJURIES: 76ers: Trendon Watford: day to day (thigh), Kelly Oubre Jr.: out (knee).

PICK – PHILADELPHIA +14.5

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MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES @ WASHINGTON WIZARDS

Capital One Arena, Washington, DC
Odds: MEM $1.39 / WSH $3.10

TEAM TRENDS

• Grizzlies have covered the spread in each of their last 6 road games vs losing-record teams
• Wizards have lost each of their last 9 games after winning as underdogs
• 7 of the Wizards’ last 8 home games have gone OVER

WIN/LOSS

SEASON POINTS +/-

PICKS ATS

The Memphis Grizzlies visit Washington on Sunday night for an interconference matchup, with both teams looking to build momentum. Memphis has been solid on the road at 8–8 and enters in better recent form, while Washington has struggled at home with a 3–10 record.

The Grizzlies continue to move the ball well, ranking sixth in the league in assists, and are coming off a strong 6–4 stretch over their last 10 games while averaging nearly 120 points per contest. Washington has had issues defensively all season and is allowing over 122 points per game across its last 10, despite shooting the ball at a respectable rate.

This is the second meeting of the season between the teams. The Wizards won the first matchup 130–122 on December 21, led by CJ McCollum’s 28 points, while Santi Aldama erupted for 37 in the loss. Memphis will be aiming for a different outcome this time around.

INJURIES: Wizards: Corey Kispert: day to day (hamstring), Cam Whitmore: out (shoulder).

INJURIES: Grizzlies: John Konchar: out (thumb), Scotty Pippen Jr.: out (toe), Zach Edey: out (ankle), Ty Jerome: out (calf), Brandon Clarke: out (calf), Vince Williams Jr.: day to day (knee).

PICK – OVER 239.5 TOTAL POINTS

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BOSTON CELTICS @ PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS

Moda Center, Portland, OR
Odds: BOS $1.41 / POR $3.00

TEAM TRENDS

• Celtics have covered the spread in 7 of their last 8 road games
• Celtics have won each of their last 6 games vs the Trail Blazers
• Trail Blazers’ last 4 games have gone UNDER
• Celtics have won the 1st half in each of their last 8 games vs the Trail Blazers

WIN/LOSS

SEASON POINTS +/-

PICKS ATS

The Boston Celtics visit Portland on Sunday night as the Trail Blazers look to snap a three-game home losing streak. Boston has been strong on the road this season at 9–6 and enters in excellent form, while Portland has struggled at home with a 5–9 record.

The Trail Blazers lean on pace and transition scoring, ranking sixth in the West in fast-break points, but defensive issues have been costly. Portland is allowing 119.0 points per game over its last 10 contests and has gone 4–6 during that stretch. Offensively, the Blazers score at a rate well above what Boston typically allows, setting up an interesting contrast.

Boston continues to trend upward, going 8–2 over its last 10 games while averaging more than 120 points per game and holding opponents near 109. The Celtics have also taken care of business defensively and efficiently, shooting nearly 50% from the field during their recent run.

INJURIES: Trail Blazers: Scoot Henderson: out (hamstring), Matisse Thybulle: out (thumb), Jrue Holiday: out (calf), Blake Wesley: out (foot), Jerami Grant: out (achilles), Damian Lillard: out for season (achilles).

INJURIES: Celtics: Jayson Tatum: out (achilles), Chris Boucher: day to day (personal).

PICK – BOSTON -6.5

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DETROIT PISTONS @ LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS

Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
Odds: DET $1.62 / LAC $2.35

TEAM TRENDS

• Clippers have won each of their last 6 home games vs the Pistons
• 4 of the Clippers’ last 5 home games have gone UNDER
• Pistons have won the 1st half in each of their last 4 games
• Clippers have covered the spread in 8 of their last 9 home games vs Eastern teams with a winning record

WIN/LOSS

SEASON POINTS +/-

PICKS ATS

The Detroit Pistons visit Los Angeles on Sunday night as the Clippers look to extend a three-game winning streak. Detroit enters with the best record in the Eastern Conference and has been strong on the road at 11–5, while Los Angeles continues to struggle at home with a 5–8 mark.

The Clippers have relied on scoring from James Harden but have had difficulty closing tight games, owning a 1–6 record in contests decided by three points or fewer. Offensively, Los Angeles averages 111.5 points per game, slightly below what Detroit typically allows, and defensive lapses have remained an issue.

Detroit continues to play efficient, balanced basketball. The Pistons move the ball well, ranking among the East leaders in assists, and are 7–3 over their last 10 games while averaging 121.0 points per contest. Cade Cunningham remains the engine of the offense, with Detroit also holding a clear edge in recent form and consistency.

INJURIES: Clippers: Bradley Beal: out for season (hip), Derrick Jones Jr.: out (knee), Ivica Zubac: out (ankle).

INJURIES: Pistons: None listed.

PICK – DETROIT / OVER 224.5 TOTAL POINTS

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SACRAMENTO KINGS @ LOS ANGELES LAKERS

Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
Odds: SAC $5.50 / LAL $1.16

TEAM TRENDS

• 11 of the Lakers’ last 12 home games have gone OVER
• Kings have lost 16 of their last 17 road games when playing with a rest disadvantage
• Lakers have lost the 1st half in each of their last 5 games as favourites
• Underdogs have covered the spread in 7 of the last 8 Kings–Lakers games

WIN/LOSS

SEASON POINTS +/-

PICKS ATS

The Los Angeles Lakers host the Sacramento Kings on Sunday night looking to snap a three-game losing streak. Los Angeles remains firmly in the Western Conference playoff picture, while Sacramento continues to struggle near the bottom of the standings.

The Lakers have been more reliable defensively, ranking among the better teams in the West at limiting opponent scoring, and they average nearly 117 points per game. Sacramento relies heavily on pace and transition scoring, ranking fifth in the conference in fast-break points, but defensive issues persist, with the Kings allowing 122.0 points per game this season.

This is the second meeting between the teams this season. The Lakers took the first matchup 127–120 on October 27, highlighted by a massive 51-point performance from Austin Reaves. Recent form has been uneven for both sides, though Los Angeles holds clear advantages in record, defense, and overall consistency.

INJURIES: Lakers: Jaxson Hayes: day to day (ankle), Gabe Vincent: out (back), Drew Timme: day to day (concussion), Austin Reaves: out (calf).

INJURIES: Kings: Drew Eubanks: out (thumb), Zach LaVine: out (ankle), Devin Carter: day to day (ankle), Keegan Murray: out (calf), Domantas Sabonis: out (knee).

PICK – OVER 233.5 TOTAL POINTS

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