Thursday December 20, 2018

After a relatively small slate of NBA action yesterday, the NBA is back with an action-packed 12-game slate. This is headlined in Utah by an exciting ESPN clash, as the defending champs take on the Jazz. Toronto play host to Indiana in a matchup between two East titans, whilst OKC travel to Sacramento in an exciting late affair out West. As always let’s take a look at our 3 best spread bets and best daily multi.

Orlando Magic vs San Antonio Spurs, (11 am AEDT)
Magic (-0.5)

Orlando Magic

The Magic enter this one at a respectable 14-15 after consecutive wins in Mexico City. Evan ‘Don’t Google Me’ Fournier was excellent last time out, pouring in 24 points and 7 boards against Utah. Center Nikola Vucevic added another strong performance, dropping 15 points, 19 rebounds, and 5 assists. Shooting Guard Terrence Ross provided a much-needed scoring punch off the bench, totaling 19 points on 8/9 shooting. Despite lowly pre-season expectations, the Magic enter this one well in playoff contention.

San Antonio Spurs

The Spurs make the trip to Orlando in much better form of late, winning 4 of their last 5 to sit at 16-15. Shooting Guard DeMar DeRozan is having a solid first season in San Antonio, averaging 23.5 points, 6.2 assists, and 5.5 rebounds so far. LaMarcus Aldridge has also been much better of late, averaging 23 points and 7.4 boards over his last 5. Small Forward Rudy Gay is providing a nice complementary piece, averaging 18 points and 7.4 rebounds over this recent winning run.

Prediction: Magic -0.5

With over 3-quarters of the action on San Antonio, I actually lean the other way here. Orlando have been much better of late and have played San Antonio strong in recent years. Expect another big night from Vucevic en route to a home Orlando win.

Milwaukee Bucks vs New Orleans Pelicans, (12 pm AEDT)
Pelicans +8

Milwaukee Bucks

The Bucks have been in excellent form of late, winning 4 of their last 5 games to sit at 20-9. Small Forward Giannis Antetokounmpo has been excellent of late, averaging 26.8 points, 13.8 boards, and 6.5 assists over his last 5. Shooting Guard Khris Middleton has been a solid second option, averaging 18 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists per game. Point Guard Eric Bledsoe is also having a very solid season, averaging 17.6 points, 6.2 assists, and 4.6 boards over his last 5. The Bucks are definitely a strong contender out East.

New Orleans Pelicans

After a strong start, the 15-16 Pelicans have faded of late and currently sit bottom of the Southwest division. This is despite an excellent season from Anthony Davis, who’s averaging 28 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game. Point Guard Jrue Holiday is also having a very solid season, averaging 20.5 points, 8.7 assists, and 4.3 rebounds of his own. Julius Randle and Nikola Mirotic are both excellent frontcourt options that have complemented Davis nicely.

Prediction: Pelicans +8

Getting 8 points, I have to fancy the Pelicans in this one. I think they’ve got the interior presence to trouble Milwaukee. In what should be a great battle between two MVP frontrunners, I lean to the underdog here.

Sacramento Kings vs Oklahoma City Thunder (2 pm AEDT)
Kings +5

Sacramento Kings

The Kings have surprised almost everyone this season en route to 16 wins in their first 30 games. Point Guard De’Aaron Fox has emerged as a future star, averaging an efficient 18 points and 7.3 assists per contest this season. He has been capably supported in the backcourt by Shooting Guard Buddy Hield, who’s averaging 19 points and 5 boards per game himself. Power Forward Nemanja Bjelica has been strong as a stretch four, averaging 11.1 points and 5.7 boards on 48% shooting from 3.

Oklahoma City Thunder

OKC enter this one at a respectable 19-10, good enough for 3rd place in the Western Conference. Small Forward Paul George is having one of the better seasons of his career, averaging a shade under 25 points and 8 boards per game. Russell Westbrook was also solid last time out against Chicago, dropping another triple-double to go along with his 5 steals. I’d be remiss not to mention the excellent performances of reserve Guard Dennis Schroder, who’s averaging 16.6 points, 4.7 assists, and 4 boards per game.

Prediction: Kings +5

After a dreadful outing against Minnesota last time out, I expect a resurgent display from the Kings here. They’ve already covered as a 3-point home underdog earlier this season. Especially with the key number of 5, I’m very happy taking Sacramento here.

Hornets, 76ers, Celtics, Rockets, Timberwolves
Combined Odds of $2.21

In a relatively large slate of games, we’ve got several solid options for today’s daily multi. At home against three of the worst teams in the NBA, each of the Hornets, 76ers, and Celtics look like near locks to emerge victorious. Moreover, I expect the Rockets to continue their strong recent form at home to a Washington side on a back-to-back. To beef this price up to $2.21, Minnesota look solid value to topple Detroit at home.