NBA Tips Tonight – Saturday, 20th December

MIAMI HEAT @ BOSTON CELTICS

TD Garden, Boston, MA
Odds: MIA: $3.10 / BOS: $1.39

TEAM TRENDS

• Each of the Heat’s last 6 games have gone UNDER the total match points line.
• The Celtics have won 14 of their last 15 home games against opponents playing on the second leg of a back-to-back.
• The Celtics have won the first half in each of their last 8 games.
• The Celtics have covered the line in 7 of their last 8 games against teams that held a winning record.

WIN/LOSS

SEASON POINTS +/-

PICKS ATS

Boston heads back to TD Garden looking to bounce back after a rare slip-up at home, where they fell 112-105 to Detroit despite big nights from Jaylen Brown and Derrick White. That loss snapped a four-game home winning streak, but the Celtics have generally been solid in this spot and handled Miami in last season’s series, winning three of four. Even with the Heat splitting their road games last year, Boston has usually been comfortable playing this matchup at home.

Miami comes in feeling better after snapping a five-game skid with a 106-95 win over Brooklyn on Thursday. Kel’el Ware was a major factor in that one, posting 22 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks, and the Heat have quietly been very effective when he controls the glass. Tyler Herro remains sidelined, which keeps some pressure on Miami’s offense, but their defensive effort and interior presence give them a chance to stay competitive if they can slow Boston’s perimeter attack.

PICK – BOSTON -6.5

–

PHILADELPHIA 76ERS @ NEW YORK KNICKS

Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
Odds: PHI: $2.60 / NY: $1.52

TEAM TRENDS

• The Knicks have covered the line in 14 of their last 15 games at Madison Square Garden.
• The Knicks have won each of their last 10 games as home favourites against Atlantic Division opponents.
• Each of the Knicks’ last 4 home games against Eastern opponents have gone UNDER the total points line.
• The 76ers have won the 1st half in 7 of their last 8 games.

WIN/LOSS

SEASON POINTS +/-

PICKS ATS

New York comes in playing confident basketball, riding a seven-game winning streak and continuing to find production even with key absences. The win over Indiana was built on balance, with Jalen Brunson putting up 25 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists and 3 steals, while Mikal Bridges added 22 points and 8 boards. Tyler Kolek chipped in a career night off the bench, and the Knicks have now won 7 straight overall.

Philadelphia arrives after a tight loss to Atlanta, where Paul George poured in 35 points with 7 made threes and VJ Edgecombe added 26 points and 6 rebounds. The 76ers were still without Tyrese Maxey in that one, and Joel Embiid remains questionable, making scoring consistency and late-game execution ongoing concerns.

PICK – NEW YORK -4.5

–

SAN ANTONIO SPURS @ ATLANTA HAWKS

State Farm Arena, Atlanta, GA
Odds: SA: $1.73 / ATL: $2.15

TEAM TRENDS

• Covered the line in 7 of their last 8 games against Hawks teams that held a winning record.
• Won each of their last 5 games on the second leg of a back-to-back.
• Each of the Hawks’ last 6 games with both teams on the second leg of a back-to-back have gone UNDER the total.

WIN/LOSS

SEASON POINTS +/-

PICKS ATS

San Antonio and Atlanta wrap up a back-to-back when they meet again at State Farm Arena on Friday night. This will be the second matchup of the season between the sides, with the Spurs taking the first one 135-126 in San Antonio back on November 20, led by a strong night from De’Aaron Fox.

Atlanta comes in off a frustrating loss in Charlotte, falling 133-126 despite a huge effort from Jalen Johnson, who poured in a career-high 43 points to go with 11 rebounds and nine assists. Nickeil Alexander-Walker added 28, but the Hawks couldn’t close it out and saw a five-game win streak against the Hornets come to an end. Kristaps Porzingis remained sidelined in that one.

San Antonio has been trending up. The Spurs cruised past Washington 119-94 at home on Thursday, continuing a strong run against Eastern Conference opponents. That win marked their eighth in the last 10 games against the East, and they’ll look to carry that momentum into the rematch.

PICK – SAN ANTONIO -2.0

–

CHICAGO BULLS @ CLEVELAND CAVALIERS

Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, Cleveland, OH
Odds: CHI: $3.20 / CLE: $1.37

TEAM TRENDS

• 9 of the Cavaliers’ last 10 home games have gone UNDER the total match points line.
• The Cavaliers have won each of their last 7 home games against the Bulls.
• The Bulls have failed to cover the line in each of their last 6 games following a win.

WIN/LOSS

SEASON POINTS +/-

PICKS ATS

Chicago and Cleveland run it back Friday night at Rocket Arena after the Bulls evened the season series with a 127-111 win at United Center. That game swung on Chicago’s work inside, where they dominated the paint 68-52, and a bench unit that clearly outplayed Cleveland’s reserves. Josh Giddey set the tone with a triple-double, finishing with 23 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists, while Nikola Vucevic chipped in 20. Donovan Mitchell did what he could for the Cavs, leading the way with 32 points.

Now the scene shifts to Cleveland, where the Cavaliers have had the upper hand at home in this matchup, winning seven straight against Chicago. There are some lineup questions heading into tip-off, with Mitchell questionable for the Cavs, Tre Jones and Ayo Dosunmu both questionable for the Bulls, and Sam Merrill ruled out. How healthy each side is could go a long way toward deciding who takes control of this series.

PICK – UNDER 240.5 TOTAL POINTS

–

OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER @ MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES

Target Center, Minneapolis, MN
Odds: OKC: $1.30 / MIN: $3.70

TEAM TRENDS

• Minnesota Timberwolves have won each of their last 11 games against opponents playing on the second leg of a back-to-back.
• Each of the Timberwolves’ last 4 home games have gone UNDER the total match points line.
• Oklahoma City Thunder have failed to cover the line in each of their last 9 road games against Northwest opponents that held a winning record.

WIN/LOSS

SEASON POINTS +/-

PICKS ATS

Oklahoma City heads to Target Center on the second night of a back-to-back looking to keep things rolling against Minnesota. This will be the second meeting between these teams this season after the Thunder took the first one 113-105 in late November, powered by a 40-point night from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Minnesota comes in a bit shorthanded and searching for consistency at home. The Timberwolves were upset 116-110 by Memphis here last time out, wasting a strong all-around effort from Rudy Gobert, who finished with 16 points, 16 rebounds and four blocks. Donte DiVincenzo also chipped in with 19 points and 11 boards. Without Anthony Edwards, Minnesota has struggled at Target Center, losing three of its last four home games, and Mike Conley remains sidelined as well.

The Thunder are playing with confidence. They blew out the Clippers 122-101 on Thursday, with Gilgeous-Alexander once again setting the tone with 32 points. Oklahoma City has now won 12 straight games when SGA scores at least 30, and even on a back-to-back, their form suggests they’ll be comfortable pushing the pace. Edwards’ availability will loom large for Minnesota, but if he can’t go, the Thunder may like their chances of staying in control.

PICK – OVER 230.5 TOTAL POINTS

–