NBA Expert Picks and Best Bets | Dec 21

Gear up for an exhilarating Friday night in the NBA as we dive into the high-stakes matchups that promise thrills, spills, and potential betting victories. The hardwood battles include the Los Angeles Clippers (16-10) taking on the Oklahoma City Thunder (17-8), the Los Angeles Lakers (15-12) facing the formidable Minnesota Timberwolves (20-5), and the Orlando Magic (16-9) stepping into the Fiserv Forum to challenge the Milwaukee Bucks (20-7).

The Clippers, fresh off a dominant win against the Pacers, boast offensive firepower led by James Harden, who dropped 35 points in their last outing. Meanwhile, the Thunder, riding high after triumphing over the Grizzlies, showcase the skills of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, contributing 30 points and 9 rebounds.

The Lakers, led by Anthony Davis, are seeking redemption after a close loss to the Knicks, but they face a tough test against the Timberwolves, who are enjoying a stellar 20-5 record. The Magic, resilient despite a recent loss to the Celtics, now confront the Bucks, who secured a convincing victory against the Spurs with Damian Lillard's 40-point performance.

Get ready for a night of intense NBA betting action and let our expert sports betting picks guide you through the potential winners and spread covers in these exciting matchups.

Thunder -4.5 | -106 at FanDuel

In the impending clash between the Los Angeles Clippers (16-10) and the Oklahoma City Thunder (17-8) at the Paycom Center, the game is poised to be tightly contested, given both teams' recent strong performances. The Clippers are coming off a commanding victory against the Pacers, where James Harden's stellar performance, contributing 35 points and 9 assists, underscored their offensive prowess. With an average of 117.0 points per game and efficient shooting, the Clippers are expected to pose a formidable challenge.

Meanwhile, the Thunder (17-8) showcased their mettle in a recent triumph over the Grizzlies, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leading the charge with 30 points and 9 rebounds. The Thunder's offensive efficiency, boasting a 48.8% field goal success rate, adds another layer of competitiveness to the impending matchup.

Considering the current form and strengths of both teams, predicting who will cover the spread can be tricky. As per the latest odds from FanDuel, the Clippers are given a +4.5 point handicap with odds of -114, while the Thunder are favored with a -4.5 point spread at odds of -106. This suggests that the oddsmakers anticipate a closely contested game, with the Thunder holding a slight edge.

Timberwolves -6.5 | -110 at BetMGM

In the imminent clash between the Los Angeles Lakers (15-12) and the Minnesota Timberwolves (20-5) at the Target Center, BetMGM presents odds of -110 for the Timberwolves at -6.5 and the Lakers at +6.5. The Lakers, fresh off a close defeat against the Knicks, showcased Anthony Davis's scoring prowess with 32 points and 14 rebounds. However, facing the Timberwolves, who boast an impressive 20-5 record and efficient offense shooting at a 48.3% clip from the field, the Lakers face a formidable challenge.

The Timberwolves, led by Anthony Edwards, recently secured a victory against the Heat, with Edwards contributing 32 points and 8 rebounds. With their balanced gameplay, the Timberwolves have demonstrated dominance on both ends of the court, supporting their position as favorites to cover the spread.

Given the Timberwolves' stellar record and consistent performance, there's a strong likelihood they will exceed the 6.5-point margin set by BetMGM. The point spread aligns with the Timberwolves' recent successes, making them a favorable pick for bettors looking at the -6.5 line. As the game unfolds, fans can anticipate a competitive matchup, but the odds suggest the Timberwolves have the potential to secure a victory with a comfortable margin.

Bucks -7 | -112 at DraftKings

In the upcoming matchup between the Orlando Magic (16-9) and the Milwaukee Bucks (20-7) at the Fiserv Forum, DraftKings sets the point spread at +7 (-108) for the Magic and -7 (-112) for the Bucks. The Bucks are coming off a convincing 132-119 victory against the Spurs, with Damian Lillard leading the charge with an impressive 40-point performance. The Bucks, boasting a 20-7 record, showcase a potent offense shooting at 50.1% from the field, placing them second in the league.

On the other hand, the Magic are coming off a 114-97 loss against the Celtics, despite Paolo Banchero's notable contribution of 36 points. With a 16-9 record for the season, the Magic have shown resilience but face a formidable challenge against the Bucks.

Considering the recent performances and the set point spread, the Bucks are favored to cover the -7 spread. With their offensive efficiency and strong defensive presence, the Bucks have the potential to secure a victory with a margin exceeding seven points. NBA bettors looking at the -7 line may find value in the Bucks, given their solid form and home-court advantage.