Tonight’s Best NBA Picks – Sunday, 14th December

WASHINGTON WIZARDS @ INDIANA PACERS

Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN

TEAM TRENDS

• 7 of the last 8 games between the Wizards and Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse have gone UNDER the total match points line.
• The Wizards have lost each of their last 10 road games.
• The Pacers have covered the line in each of their last 4 games against teams that held a losing record.
• The Wizards have lost the first quarter in each of their last 6 games.

WIN/LOSS

SEASON POINTS +/-

PICKS ATS

Indiana comes back home still looking for consistency, but this is a matchup they’ve handled well. The Pacers crushed Washington 119-86 in their first meeting on November 28 and have won six straight against the Wizards overall. Even so, this season has been rough, with Indiana sitting at 6-19 after a 115-105 loss to Philadelphia last time out. Andrew Nembhard is questionable, which matters for a team that’s struggled to control games late.

Washington arrives frustrated but competitive. They blew a 17-point lead in a 130-126 loss to Cleveland on Friday, despite 27 points from Bub Carrington and another 27 from C.J. McCollum. The Wizards are short-handed again and riding a 10-game road losing streak, but they’ve shown they can score when games open up.

PICK – OVER 233.5 TOTAL POINTS

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CHARLOTTE HORNETS @ CLEVELAND CAVALIERS

Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, Cleveland, OH

TEAM TRENDS

• 8 of the Hornets’ last 9 games have gone UNDER the total match points line.
• The Hornets have lost 14 of their last 15 road games against teams that held a winning record.
• The Cavaliers have failed to cover the line in 6 of their last 7 home games against teams that held a losing record.
• The Cavaliers have won the first half in each of their last 9 games against the Hornets.

WIN/LOSS

SEASON POINTS +/-

PICKS ATS

Cleveland comes in feeling pretty good, even with some moving parts in the lineup. They erased a 17-point hole to beat Washington last time out, powered by Donovan Mitchell’s huge 48-point night with eight threes. Cleveland is now 8-1 this season when Mitchell scores 35 or more, and they also swept Charlotte in all four meetings last season. Evan Mobley was dominant in that series, but he’ll miss the next couple of weeks with a calf strain, making Jarrett Allen’s likely return important inside.

Charlotte, meanwhile, continues to struggle without LaMelo Ball. The Hornets fell 129-126 to Chicago despite big nights from Kon Knueppel, who had 33 points and nine assists, and Miles Bridges with 32 points. The bigger issue is on the road, where Charlotte has now lost 18 straight games without Ball in the lineup, highlighting how tough things get without their lead guard.

PICK – CLEVELAND -11.5

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PHILADELPHIA 76ERS @ ATLANTA HAWKS

State Farm Arena, Atlanta, GA

TEAM TRENDS

• The 76ers have won the first half in each of their last 7 games.
• The 76ers have lost 14 of their last 15 road games against teams that held a winning record.
• 8 of the last 9 games between the 76ers and Hawks have gone OVER the total match points line.
• The 76ers have failed to cover the line in each of their last 5 games as underdogs.

WIN/LOSS

SEASON POINTS +/-

PICKS ATS

Philadelphia comes in with some momentum after taking care of Indiana at home, leaning heavily on Joel Embiid and Paul George. Embiid dropped 39 points in that win and the numbers back it up: the 76ers have won 5 straight when he scores 30+ points. Even with Tyrese Maxey doubtful, Philadelphia has shown it can still generate offense, especially when Embiid controls the paint and George provides a steady secondary option. The Sixers also sit on 14 wins this season, keeping them firmly in the Eastern Conference mix.

Atlanta, meanwhile, is trying to steady itself after a rough loss in Detroit. The Hawks were beaten 142-115 and have now lost 4 of their last 5 games, all while still missing Kristaps Porzingis. They do have recent history on their side in this matchup, winning the first meeting 142-134 and extending their streak over Philadelphia to 6 straight. Still, defensive consistency has been an issue, and they’ll need cleaner execution at home to get back on track.

PICK – OVER 226.5 TOTAL POINTS

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MILWAUKEE BUCKS @ BROOKLYN NETS

Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY

• Each of the Nets’ last 8 games against Eastern Conference opponents have gone UNDER the total match points line.
• The Bucks have lost each of their last 6 road games.
• The Bucks have lost the first half in each of their last 4 games.
• The Bucks have failed to cover the line in each of their last 7 games following a win.

WIN/LOSS

SEASON POINTS +/-

PICKS ATS

Brooklyn comes back to Barclays Center still searching for consistency, especially in conference play. The Nets dropped a 119-111 decision in Dallas last time out despite another big night from Michael Porter Jr., who finished with 34 points and 6 threes. That loss pushed Brooklyn to 7-26 in its last 33 games against Eastern Conference opponents, a stretch that’s been defined by defensive lapses and uneven scoring support. Home court hasn’t offered much relief either, with the Nets struggling to control tempo and close games late.

Milwaukee arrives with some momentum after knocking off Boston 116-101 at home, even without Giannis Antetokounmpo. Kevin Porter Jr. posted an 18-point, 10-rebound, 13-assist triple-double, while Kyle Kuzma added 31 points and Bobby Portis chipped in 27 points and 10 boards. The Bucks will try to carry that balance on the road, where they’ve lost six straight, and lean on ball movement and rebounding to steady things away from home.

PICK – MILWAUKEE -1.5

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SACRAMENTO KINGS @ MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES

Target Center, Minneapolis, MN

TEAM TRENDS

• The Timberwolves have lost the first half in each of their last 4 games as home favourites.
• The Timberwolves have won each of their last 10 home games against teams that held a losing record.
• 5 of the Timberwolves’ last 6 home games against Western Conference opponents have gone UNDER the total match points line.
• The underdogs have covered the line in 10 of the Timberwolves’ last 11 games.

WIN/LOSS

SEASON POINTS +/-

PICKS ATS

Minnesota comes in feeling pretty good after a strong road win over Golden State, taking it 127-120 behind a balanced effort. Julius Randle led the way with 27 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists, while Rudy Gobert added 24 points and 14 boards. That pairing continues to be key, with the Timberwolves now 8-0 when Randle and Gobert combine for 45+ points. Anthony Edwards is questionable, but Minnesota has shown it can still find offense and control the glass without him.

Sacramento, on the other hand, is trying to stop the bleeding after a rough 136-105 home loss to Denver. That defeat pushed the Kings to five straight conference losses, and the defense has struggled during that stretch. Zach LaVine is set to return, which should help after his absence, especially given his scoring punch. Sacramento already beat Minnesota once in this series, but they’ll need a sharper start and more consistency to keep pace on the road.

PICK – OVER 231.5 TOTAL POINTS

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NEW ORLEANS PELICANS @ CHICAGO BULLS

United Center, Chicago, IL

TEAM TRENDS

• The Bulls have lost the first half in each of their last 8 games as favourites.
• The Pelicans have lost each of their last 14 games when playing with a rest advantage.
• Each of the Bulls’ last 4 home games have gone UNDER the total match points line.
• The Bulls have failed to cover the line in 11 of their last 12 games as favourites.

WIN/LOSS

SEASON POINTS +/-

PICKS ATS

Chicago comes in feeling a bit lighter after finally stopping the slide. The Bulls edged Charlotte 129-126 last time out, snapping a seven-game losing streak, with Josh Giddey leading the way on 26 points, 7 rebounds and 11 assists on 10-17 shooting. That win showed better pace and ball movement, something they’ll need again here. Chicago did lose the first meeting with New Orleans 143-130 back on November 24, a game played without Nikola Vucevic, so this is a chance to even things up. Ayo Dosunmu is doubtful and Kevin Huerter is questionable, which could test their depth on the wing.

New Orleans heads to Chicago after a confidence-boosting 143-120 win over Portland, powered by Trey Murphy III’s 24 points, 3 steals and efficient 10-14 shooting. The Pelicans took care of business offensively in that one, but the bigger picture is still concerning. They’re just 1-16 in their last 17 road games, a trend that’s hard to ignore. They did beat the Bulls comfortably in the first matchup this season, and replicating that offensive flow will be key. Zion Williamson is questionable to return, and his availability could swing how aggressive and balanced this offense looks.

PICK – CHICAGO -4.5

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LOS ANGELES LAKERS @ PHOENIX SUNS

Footprint Center, Phoenix, AZ

TEAM TRENDS

• The Lakers have lost each of their last 8 road games against Suns teams that held a winning record.
• 7 of the Lakers’ last 8 games have gone OVER the total match points line.
• The Suns have covered the line in 7 of their last 8 games following a loss.

WIN/LOSS

SEASON POINTS +/-

PICKS ATS

Phoenix comes back home looking to reset after a brutal 138-89 loss in Oklahoma City. That blowout came without Devin Booker, who remains questionable, and it showed on both ends of the floor. The Suns are still strong at home in this matchup, riding a three-game home winning streak against the Lakers, and they took the first meeting this season 125-108 in Los Angeles. Dillon Brooks is also questionable, so Phoenix’s wing depth is something to monitor closely.

The Lakers arrive off a frustrating 132-119 home loss to San Antonio despite Luka Doncic’s 35 points and eight assists, LeBron James posting 19 points and 15 rebounds, and Marcus Smart adding 26. Los Angeles has now dropped four of its last six, and they’ll be without Austin Reaves for at least a week, which hurts spacing and secondary scoring.

PICK – OVER 228.5 TOTAL POINTS

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GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS @ PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS

Moda Center, Portland, OR

TEAM TRENDS

• The underdogs have covered the line in each of the Trail Blazers’ last 9 home games at Moda Center.
• The Trail Blazers have lost 8 of their last 9 games against Western Conference opponents.
• 9 of the Warriors’ last 10 road games against Western Conference opponents have gone OVER the total match points line.

WIN/LOSS

SEASON POINTS +/-

PICKS ATS

Golden State comes in looking to stop the slide after a frustrating 127-120 home loss to Minnesota. Stephen Curry did his part with 39 points and six threes, but the Warriors couldn’t get enough stops late. They’ve now dropped two straight to Portland this season and will welcome back Draymond Green, which should help defensively and with ball movement. Still, Golden State has struggled on the road lately and will need more consistent support around Curry to flip the script.

Portland hasn’t had much go its way either, coming off a 143-120 loss to New Orleans where Jerami Grant shot just 6-19. Despite that, the Blazers have owned this matchup, winning both meetings so far, with Deni Avdija averaging 26.0 points and 9.5 assists against Golden State. Donovan Clingan is questionable, but Portland will try to lean on familiarity and home court to steady things after losing eight of their last nine in conference play.

PICK – GOLDEN STATE -3.5

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