Meatloaf in two out of three days! The Chicago Bulls crushed the Cleveland Cavaliers easily, covering the +5.5 spread. An 11+ win margin would have been a delightful ticket, but winning the spread at near even odds is nice too. The Bulls' starting center, Nikola Vucevic, earned 9 rebounds too. The exact number Fantasy Alarm set as his teased rebounding line. The +114 prop successfully cashed due to it.

The Minnesota Timberwolves lost to the Memphis Grizzlies, who were without Ja Morant. However, the Timberwolves were without Anthony Edwards, and that information was unknown at the time the NBA best bets was written. The Timberwolves will not excel without Edwards, and this is another example of how volatile straight bets are. It is also another example that ‘Two out of three ain’t bad’.

We are officially in the second-third of the NBA Season. The NBA Cup is behind, the All-Star game is ahead, and the motivation for players and franchises changes in this part of the season. The injuries are ridiculous this season, and there are very few starting fives that have played 20+ games together. Teams that are healthy and play in the fewest back-to-back games are going to have better numbers. Something to be mindful of for bets in this stretch of the season.

 

 

 

NBA Best Bets Today, 12/18: Picks, Predictions & Player Props - Thursday 

Los Angeles Clippers vs Oklahoma City Thunder: Thursday 12/18

Game Time: 8:00 PM ET | TV: NBA TV | Location: Paycom Center | Odds: OKC -17.5 | O/U 220.5

There are twelve games today, only one of which is nationally televised. As it happens, it is the first best bet today. The Los Angeles Clippers have been the most disappointing team in the Western Conference. If the rumors of Chris Paul inviting the team to his suite and throwing a party that no one came to are true, then it’s true that they care nothing about winning a championship. Or being a team, which is essentially saying the same thing. They are broken from game seven last season, and have plenty of off-court issues to deal with.

The Oklahoma City Thunder have defended their championship with one of the best starts to a season in NBA history. They do post-game interviews as a team, have the support of an entire state, and have the desire to win the title again. They are the opposite of the Clippers. The Clippers' lack of defense and the Thunder’s amazing offense is a great combination to take the total over.

The line is set at 220.5, and combined, they score an average of 234.4 points per game. Kawhi Leonard, John Collins, and Ivica Zubac are still great scorers and could play better without James Harden. With a faster pace, the team will have more field goal attempts. With plenty of rest, the expectation is for both offenses to have great games. However, if the Clippers are held to 98 points, then the Thunder need their average (123.1) for this to be a successful bet. Put a unit on the over for the first best bet today.

Detroit Pistons vs Dallas Mavericks: Thursday 12/18

Game Time: 8:00 PM ET | TV: NBA TV | Location: American Airlines Center | Odds: DET -5.5 | O/U 231.5

Cade Cunningham and the first-place Detroit Pistons travel to the American Airlines Center to play the Dallas Mavericks. Cunningham is from Arlington, TX, which is in the Dallas/Ft. Worth Metroplex. The Pistons are humming, and so is Cunningham, but the Dallas Mavericks are playing much better basketball in December. Although the -5.5 spread is in play, the moneyline is the foundation for this parlay.

The second fold is on Cunningham’s point line of 26.5. The line is set at his average of 27.1, and true to form, Cunningham has scored over 26.5 in two of his last four games. He is a true point guard who gets his team involved in the scoring. His assist line is set at 9.5 with plus money on the over, but the points are the best bet. He will have to score more to keep up with a Western Conference opponent. And he’s home. 

He showed his support for the Dallas Cowboys WHILE AT THE DETROIT LIONS GAME. This game means a little more to him than playing in other cities. He most likely has family and friends in the stands, and the expectation is for him to score more than his average. He is a legitimate MVP candidate and could be relied on as more of a scorer in this stretch of the season. The rare same game parlay best bet at +139, put a unit on it.

 

 


 

NBA Prop Bet Today, 12/18

Michael Porter is being discussed in trade rumors as we are now past the first third of the season. The Brooklyn Nets are not in contention for a title, and could look to add more draft picks. However, he is their best player, and they are finding ways to get him the ball. The last game was an anomaly as he played his fewest minutes since the first game of the season.

Cam Thomas is still out, and Porter Jr. will be relied on as a scorer once again. Excluding his last game, he has scored 33 or more points in four consecutive contests. He is averaging 25.6 points per game, and the Miami Heat allows 117.7 points per game. It is a recipe for another 30+ point performance from Porter Jr. His teammates, Egor Demin, Terrance Mann, Noah Clowney, and Nic Claxton, are not great scorers. 

Miami has several great offensive scorers, but has three players listed as out. Norman Powell is listed as questionable for today as well. Porter Jr. could be one-on-one against backups with tired legs. Look for him to take advantage of a smaller backcourt. Put a unit for him to score over 25.5 points.

 

 

 

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Bet Smart, Be Lucky - Iggy G. -
*All bets placed at 1 unit unless specified otherwise. 

 

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