Tonight’s Best NBA Picks – Fri, 26th December

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MIAMI HEAT @ ATLANTA HAWKS

State Farm Arena, Atlanta, GA

TEAM TRENDS

• Hawks have lost each of their last 4 games
• 5 of the last 6 Heat–Hawks games have gone OVER
• Heat have covered the spread in each of their last 3 games vs the Hawks

PICKS ATS

The Miami Heat travel to Atlanta on Friday night as the Hawks look to snap a three-game home losing streak. Both teams sit next to each other in the Eastern Conference standings, making this a key matchup for positioning.

Atlanta has struggled against conference opponents and teams above .500, while Miami has been inconsistent in East play as well. The Hawks hold a slight scoring edge, averaging just under 119 points per game, while the Heat rely more on defensive structure but have dipped in form recently.

Neither team comes in playing its best basketball, as both have gone 2–8 over their last 10 games. Atlanta has had trouble slowing opponents, while Miami has seen its offense stall during that stretch.

Injuries

Atlanta: Dyson Daniels (day to day, hip), Kristaps Porzingis (out, reconditioning), N’Faly Dante (out for season, knee), Mouhamed Gueye (day to day, shoulder).

Miami: Nikola Jovic (out, elbow), Tyler Herro (day to day, toe), Pelle Larsson (day to day, ankle).

PICK – MIAMI +3.5

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CHARLOTTE HORNETS @ ORLANDO MAGIC

Kia Center, Orlando, FL

TEAM TRENDS

• Magic have failed to cover the spread in each of their last 5 games following a win
• Magic have won 10 of their last 11 games vs the Hornets
• 6 of the Hornets’ last 7 road games have gone UNDER

PICKS ATS

The Orlando Magic host the Charlotte Hornets on Friday night in an Eastern Conference matchup in Orlando. The Magic sit comfortably inside the playoff picture and have been solid in division play, leaning on their rebounding and defensive presence at home.

Charlotte has been competitive on the glass but continues to struggle for consistency, particularly on the defensive end. Orlando holds a clear shooting edge and took the first meeting of the season convincingly back in October.

Recent form has been mixed for both sides, with the Magic splitting their last 10 games and the Hornets dropping six of their last 10.

Injuries

Orlando: Franz Wagner (out, leg), Moritz Wagner (out, knee), Goga Bitadze (day to day, knee), Tristan da Silva (day to day, shoulder), Jalen Suggs (day to day, hip).

Charlotte: Grant Williams (out, acl), Mason Plumlee (day to day, groin), Ryan Kalkbrenner (day to day, elbow).

PICK – OVER 230.5 TOTAL POINTS

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TORONTO RAPTORS @ WASHINGTON WIZARDS

Capital One Arena, Washington, DC

TEAM TRENDS

• Raptors have covered the spread in 8 of their last 9 road games vs the Wizards
• Wizards have lost 18 of their last 19 games vs teams with a winning record
• Raptors’ last 6 games have gone UNDER

PICKS ATS

The Toronto Raptors travel to Washington on Friday night as the Wizards look to snap a four-game home losing streak. Toronto sits near the top of the Eastern Conference standings and has been reliable against conference opponents, while Washington continues to struggle in East play.

The Wizards have found some success on the offensive glass but have had trouble slowing opponents, giving up heavy scoring on a nightly basis. Toronto has been more controlled in close games this season and already handled Washington comfortably in the first meeting back in November. Recent form has been uneven for both teams, though the Raptors still hold a clear edge on paper.

Injuries

Washington: Corey Kispert (day to day, hamstring), Cam Whitmore (out, shoulder), Bub Carrington (day to day, foot).

Toronto: Jakob Poeltl (day to day, back), RJ Barrett (out, knee).

PICK – OVER 226.5 TOTAL POINTS

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BOSTON CELTICS @ INDIANA PACERS

Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN

TEAM TRENDS

• 8 of the last 10 Celtics–Pacers games have gone OVER
• Pacers have lost 13 straight games vs teams with a winning record
• Celtics have won the 1st quarter in 12 of their last 13 road games vs the Pacers
• Celtics have covered the spread in 6 of their last 7 road games

PICKS ATS

The Boston Celtics visit Indianapolis on Friday night as the Pacers try to snap a three-game home losing streak. Boston enters third in the Eastern Conference and has been strong against conference opponents, while Indiana continues to struggle near the bottom of the standings.

The Pacers are just 4–14 against the East and have had ongoing issues with ball security, averaging 13.1 turnovers per game and posting a 5–12 record even when they win the turnover battle. Recent form has been rough, with the Pacers going 2–8 over their last 10 games and giving up nearly 116 points per game during that stretch.

Boston has been trending the opposite direction. The Celtics are 14–8 in conference play and 8–2 over their last 10 games, shooting 49.0% from the field while holding opponents under 109 points per game.

The Celtics also took the first meeting of the season 103–95 on December 23, with Jaylen Brown pouring in 31 points.

Injuries

Indiana: Obi Toppin (out, foot), Aaron Nesmith (out, knee), Tyrese Haliburton (out for season, achilles), Ben Sheppard (day to day, calf), Isaiah Jackson (day to day, head).

Boston: Jayson Tatum (out, achilles), Jordan Walsh (day to day, illness).

PICK – UNDER 221.5 TOTAL POINTS

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PHILADELPHIA 76ERS @ CHICAGO BULLS

United Center, Chicago, IL

TEAM TRENDS

• Bulls’ last 6 home games have gone UNDER
• Bulls have won each of their last 4 games
• 76ers have won the 1st quarter in 9 of their last 11 road games vs the Bulls
• Bulls have covered the spread in each of their last 5 games vs Eastern Conference opponents

PICKS ATS

The Philadelphia 76ers visit Chicago on Friday night as the Bulls look to extend a four-game winning streak at home. Both teams sit in the middle of the Eastern Conference playoff picture, making this a key matchup for positioning.

Chicago has been solid in conference play and continues to control the glass defensively, ranking second in the East in defensive rebounds. The Bulls also stretch the floor well, averaging 14.1 made three-pointers per game, a number that exceeds what Philadelphia typically allows. Recent form has been mixed overall, but Chicago has found momentum during its current winning run.

Philadelphia enters with a winning conference record and has been strong on the boards as well, led by Andre Drummond. Offensively, the 76ers have leaned heavily on Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid, though efficiency has been an issue, as Philadelphia is shooting just 45.0% from the field this season. The Bulls took the first meeting of the season 113–111 back on November 5.

Injuries

Chicago: Noa Essengue (out for season, shoulder), Matas Buzelis (day to day, leg)

Philadelphia: Kelly Oubre Jr. (out, knee), Trendon Watford (day to day, thigh), VJ Edgecombe (day to day, illness), Quentin Grimes (day to day, illness), Dominick Barlow (day to day, illness).

PICK – CHICAGO -1.5

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MILWAUKEE BUCKS @ MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES

FedExForum, Memphis, TN

TEAM TRENDS

• Bucks have failed to cover the spread in each of their last 8 games following a win
• Grizzlies have won each of their last 7 games vs the Bucks
• Bucks’ last 5 games have gone UNDER
• Grizzlies have won the 1st quarter in each of their last 7 games vs the Bucks

SEASON POINTS +/-

PICKS ATS

The Milwaukee Bucks travel to Memphis on Friday night for an interconference matchup as both teams look to gain momentum after uneven starts to the season. Memphis has been slightly better at home, while Milwaukee continues to struggle away from Fiserv Forum.

The Grizzlies are 6–8 on their home floor and have been at their best when taking care of the ball, posting a 7–6 record when winning the turnover battle. Memphis averages 115.0 points per game and has picked up its offensive pace recently, going 6–4 over its last 10 games while scoring nearly 119 points per contest.

Milwaukee enters with a 4–10 road record and has had trouble closing tight games, going just 2–4 in one-possession contests.

Recent form has been less encouraging, as Milwaukee is 4–6 over its last 10 games and scoring just 108.2 points per game during that span.

Injuries

Memphis: 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), Ja Morant (day to day, ankle), Cedric Coward (day to day, heel).

Milwaukee: Giannis Antetokounmpo (out, calf), Taurean Prince (out, neck), Gary Trent Jr. (day to day, calf).

PICK – MEMPHIS -4.0

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PHOENIX SUNS @ NEW ORLEANS PELICANS

Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, LA

TEAM TRENDS

• 13 of the last 14 Suns–Pelicans games at Smoothie King Center have gone OVER
• Pelicans have lost 17 of their last 18 games vs Western teams with a winning record
• Suns have covered the spread in each of their last 9 games vs losing-record teams

SEASON POINTS +/-

PICKS ATS

The Phoenix Suns visit New Orleans on Friday night as the Pelicans look to extend a four-game home winning streak. Despite sitting near the bottom of the Western Conference standings, New Orleans has played better basketball at home, while Phoenix continues to hover around the playoff mix.

The Pelicans are just 4–19 against Western Conference opponents and have struggled with ball security, averaging 13.5 turnovers per game and posting a 6–12 record when they win the turnover battle. They rely less on perimeter shooting, averaging 10.8 made three-pointers per game, but have picked up their offensive output recently, going 5–5 over their last 10 games while scoring 124.6 points per contest.

Phoenix has been more consistent within the conference, owning a 15–12 record against Western opponents. The Suns crash the offensive glass well, ranking fifth in the West in offensive rebounds, and average 14.1 made three-pointers per game. However, recent form has dipped, with Phoenix going 4–6 over its last 10 games and scoring just 111.2 points per game in that span.

The Suns dominated the first matchup on November 11, winning 121–98 behind a 42-point explosion from Grayson Allen.

Injuries

New Orleans: Dejounte Murray (out, leg), Herbert Jones (day to day, ankle), Jordan Poole (day to day, ankle).

Phoenix: Grayson Allen (out, injury management), Jalen Green (out, hamstring).

PICK – PHOENIX -3.5

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DETROIT PISTONS @ UTAH JAZZ

Delta Center, Salt Lake City, UT

TEAM TRENDS

• Road team has covered the spread in 7 of the last 8 Pistons–Jazz games
• Jazz have lost 25 of their last 27 games vs teams with a winning record
• Jazz’s last 4 home games have gone OVER
• Road team has won the 1st half in each of the last 7 Pistons–Jazz games

SEASON POINTS +/-

PICKS ATS

The Detroit Pistons travel to Salt Lake City on Friday night looking to continue their strong form against a Utah Jazz team trying to halt a four-game losing streak. Detroit enters with the best record in the Eastern Conference and has been particularly effective away from home, posting an 11–4 road mark this season.

Utah has struggled for consistency, especially at home where it sits 7–10, though the Jazz have held their own on the glass, ranking sixth in the Western Conference in defensive rebounds. Offensively, Utah has shot efficiently from the field and has been scoring at a high rate recently, averaging over 124 points per game across its last 10 contests. Defensive issues have been a concern, however, with opponents averaging more than 131 points during that stretch.

The Pistons are 8–2 over their last 10 games, holding opponents to just 109.0 points per game while dominating the rebounding battle. They also took the first meeting of the season on November 6, winning 114–103 behind a 31-point performance from Cade Cunningham.

Detroit’s ability to defend the perimeter could again be a factor, as Utah allows one of the higher three-point volumes in the league.

Injuries

Utah: Georges Niang (out, foot), Walker Kessler (out for season, shoulder), Lauri Markkanen (day to day, injury management), Jusuf Nurkic (day to day, rest).

Detroit: Ronald Holland II (day to day, knee).

PICK – DETROIT -9.5

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LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS @ PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS

Moda Center, Portland, OR

TEAM TRENDS

• Clippers have won 12 of their last 13 games vs the Trail Blazers
• 6 of the Trail Blazers’ last 7 home games vs Western Conference teams have gone OVER
• Clippers have won the 1st quarter in each of their last 5 games vs the Trail Blazers
• Trail Blazers have failed to cover the spread in 6 of their last 7 games vs losing-record Western teams

SEASON POINTS +/-

PICKS ATS

The Los Angeles Clippers head to Portland on Friday night following a rare bright spot, coming off a 128–108 win over Houston in which Kawhi Leonard erupted for 41 points. Despite that result, the Clippers remain near the bottom of the Western Conference and have struggled to find consistency, particularly against conference opponents.

Portland has been more competitive within the West, sitting at 10–11 in conference play, though defensive issues persist. The Trail Blazers are allowing 120.5 points per game and have been outscored by 3.4 points per contest this season. Offensively, they average 117.1 points per game, a figure that slightly exceeds what the Clippers typically concede. Over their last 10 games, Portland has gone 4–6, giving up nearly 120 points per night.

Los Angeles has had even more difficulty, posting a 6–14 record against Western Conference teams and a 3–7 mark over its last 10 games. The Clippers are being outscored by 4.5 points per game on the season and have averaged just 110.0 points per game during their recent stretch.

This is the second meeting of the season between the teams. The Clippers won the first matchup 114–107 on October 27, with Leonard scoring 30 points, while Deni Avdija led Portland with 23. That head-to-head result, along with Leonard’s current form, gives Los Angeles some confidence entering the rematch.

Injuries

Portland: Scoot Henderson (out, hamstring), Matisse Thybulle (out, thumb), Blake Wesley (out, foot), Damian Lillard (out for season, achilles), Robert Williams III (day to day, injury management), Jrue Holiday (day to day, calf), Jerami Grant (day to day, achilles).

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

PICK – OVER 225.5 TOTAL POINTS

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