NBA Expert Picks and Best Bets | Dec 22

Get ready for an action-packed Friday night in the NBA as some of the league's top teams clash in highly anticipated matchups. The Denver Nuggets (19-10) are set to take on the Brooklyn Nets (13-14) at the Barclays Center, showcasing their offensive prowess led by the exceptional Nikola Jokic. Fresh off a 113-104 victory against the Raptors, the Nuggets aim to continue their winning streak.

Meanwhile, the Phoenix Suns (14-13) face off against the Sacramento Kings (16-10) at the Golden 1 Center, with both teams eager to bounce back from recent setbacks. The Suns, led by the scoring prowess of Kevin Durant, suffered a close 109-104 loss to the Trail Blazers. On the other hand, the Kings aim to recover from a challenging 144-119 defeat against the Celtics, relying on the dynamic play of De'Aaron Fox.

In another exciting matchup, the Toronto Raptors (11-16) look to turn things around as they go head-to-head with the Philadelphia 76ers (19-8) at the Wells Fargo Center. The Raptors faced a tough 113-104 loss against the Nuggets, while the 76ers, led by Joel Embiid's outstanding 51-point performance, secured a convincing 127-113 victory against the Timberwolves.

With intriguing storylines and star players in action, Friday night promises intense and competitive games. Stay tuned as we break down the key matchups and provide insights into the best bets for these exciting contests and get ready for all your NBA betting action.

Nuggets -4.5 | -112 at FanDuel

In the upcoming clash between the Denver Nuggets (19-10) and the Brooklyn Nets (13-14) at the Barclays Center, the Nuggets arrive with momentum from a 113-104 victory against the Raptors. Nikola Jokic's impressive performance, contributing 31 points and 15 rebounds, showcased Denver's offensive prowess. The Nuggets, with a 19-10 record, aim to continue their winning ways.

On the other hand, the Nets faced a 121-102 defeat against the Knicks, struggling to find their rhythm. Cameron Johnson's 20-point contribution was a silver lining, but the Nets faced challenges both defensively and on the boards.

As per the latest odds from FanDuel, the Nuggets are favored with a -4.5 point spread at odds of -112, while the Nets have a +4.5 point handicap at odds of -108. This suggests that oddsmakers anticipate a closely contested game, but the Nuggets hold a slight edge.

Considering the Nuggets' recent form and offensive capabilities, they have the potential to cover the -4.5 spread. However, the Nets, known for their resilience, might keep the game competitive.

Kings -3.5 | -110 at BetMGM

In the forthcoming matchup between the Phoenix Suns (14-13) and the Sacramento Kings (16-10) at the Golden 1 Center, both teams are eager to rebound following recent setbacks. The Suns experienced a setback with a 109-104 loss to the Trail Blazers, despite a stellar 40-point performance from Kevin Durant. Meanwhile, the Kings faced a challenging 144-119 defeat against the Celtics, where De'Aaron Fox's notable 29-point contribution couldn't tip the scales in their favor.

BetMGM sets the odds at -110 for the Suns at +3.5 and the Kings at -3.5, indicating an anticipated closely contested game with the Kings holding a slight advantage. The Suns, with an offensive average of 114.9 points per game, possess the capability to keep the matchup highly competitive. However, the Kings, boasting a commendable 16-10 record and showcasing strong offensive prowess, present a compelling case to cover the -3.5 spread. While individual player performances and team dynamics should be taken into account, the odds suggest that the Kings are well-positioned to secure a victory with a margin surpassing 3.5 points.

As the game unfolds, fans can anticipate an intense battle, and bettors may find value in considering recent team form and key player contributions when deciding on their wagers. The Kings, backed by a solid record and efficient offensive play, have the potential to not only secure the win but also cover the spread in what promises to be an engaging contest at the Golden 1 Center.

76ers -8.5 | -110 at DraftKings

In the upcoming clash between the Toronto Raptors (11-16) and the Philadelphia 76ers (19-8) at the Wells Fargo Center, both teams seek redemption after contrasting recent performances. The Raptors faced a setback against the Nuggets, succumbing to a 113-104 defeat despite Scottie Barnes' impressive 30-point display. On the other side, the 76ers secured a convincing 127-113 victory against the Timberwolves, with Joel Embiid's stellar 51-point performance highlighting their offensive prowess.

DraftKings sets the point spread at +8.5 (-110) for the Raptors and -8.5 (-110) for the 76ers, suggesting an anticipated competitive matchup with the 76ers holding a considerable advantage. While the Raptors display offensive firepower, averaging 112.2 points per game, the 76ers boast a solid 19-8 record and a well-rounded game. With Embiid's dominant presence and the team's efficient scoring, the 76ers have the potential to cover the -8.5 spread.

As the game unfolds, individual player performances, recent team dynamics, and key matchups will play a pivotal role. The odds indicate that the 76ers are favored to not only secure the win but also cover the spread with a margin surpassing 8.5 points. Bettors should consider these factors when making their decisions, as the Raptors face a challenging task against the formidable 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center.