It finally happened, the sportsbooks hooked us with a treble-hook. Derrick White failed to make over 3.5 threes, making just 3 of 8. He was unable to get off the hook for our NBA Best Bets Today from Monday night. So did Lonzo Ball’s point proposition. He needed over 6.5, and earned just 6 points despite the Cleveland Cavaliers scoring 139 points. Santi Aldama earned his seventh rebound halfway through the third quarter, then didn’t earn another the rest of the game. It was infuriating to watch all three NBA picks lose on the hook, but occasionally the sportsbooks are dialed in.

NBA Picks, Predictions & Best Bets Today, 12/23

Today is the most loaded slate of the week. All but two teams, the Golden State Warriors and Boston Celtics, play today. It will be interesting to see which players are rested and which players are given more responsibility. The NBA Best Bets Today are a mix of player propositions and straight bets. A Fantasy Alarm favorite, the King of the Court, returns, and today’s NBA predictions will get us back on track.

 

 

 

Brooklyn Nets vs. Philadelphia 76ers Prediction: Tuesday, 12/23

Game Time: 7:00 PM ET | TV: NBA League Pass | Location: Xfinity Mobile Arena | Odds: PHI -10.5 | O/U 218.5

Michael Porter Jr. is back for another player proposition. The sportsbooks have moved up his point line and still left some juice. His odds are as high as -130 at other locations, but -115 is not bad considering the rate at which Porter Jr. is scoring. He has logged 28 or more points in five of his last seven matches.

This week, he and the Brooklyn Nets play the Philadelphia 76ers. Philadelphia has won seven of its last ten matches, and allows 115.4 points per game. Brooklyn averages just 109.1 points per game, which is the worst in the Association. Porter Jr. is averaging 25.6 points per game, which is over 21% of the team’s total production. 

Trade rumors are circulating around Porter Jr., and the Nets could be giving him several field goal attempts to boost his numbers. It is also possible that he is not the third or fourth scoring option, as he was for the Denver Nuggets. Porter Jr. has been kind to this column, and the expectation is that he will attempt several field goals in today’s game. Put a unit on him to deliver once again.

 

 

 

Milwaukee Bucks vs. Indiana Pacers Prediction: Tuesday, 12/23

Game Time: 7:30 PM ET | TV: Local | Location: Gainbridge Fieldhouse | Odds: MIL -1.5 | O/U 218.5

It is a Central Division showdown in an expected barnburner at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Two teams currently attempting to claw back into the play-in battle it out with a tight spread of -1.5. The spread just so happens to be the best bet in this match. Both of these teams are void of their superstar, and it has impacted their offenses, and there is a case to be made for more and less than 218.5 points.

It is a battle between two great coaches, two NBA champion head coaches. The edge goes to Doc Rivers and Milwaukee as they have adjusted their scheme without Giannis Antetokounmpo. Kevin Porter and Kyle Kuzma have been a good 1-2 combination. Myles Turner voiced his displeasure with how he was greeted upon his return to Indiana. Perhaps he gives a boost to his performance on a court he is very familiar with.

Milwaukee has a legitimate opportunity to climb back up the Eastern Conference if it can win enough games without Antetokounmpo. Because he is coming back. Indiana has no interest in winning too many games. They would much prefer to increase their chances in the lottery selection. This is a match that Milwaukee is expected to win, and they must take advantage of it. Put a unit on the Bucks to cover the spread on the road.

 

 

 

Best NBA Prop Bets & Other Picks Today, 12/23

With all but two teams playing today, DraftKings’ King of the Court (combined leader in Points + Rebounds + Assists (PRA)) is wide open. It's the most open it will be for the season. DraftKings is well aware of that, and you can say they threw us a bone (or brushed off some tax money). They are giving out $3,000,000 in bonus bets today! $1,000,000 per top three players with the highest PRA totals. Granted, this is a loaded field, but opening up to the top three greatly improves our chances. And chances will be taken. 

Fantasy Alarm NBA Best Bets has accurately predicted three of the six King of the Court bets. When looking at the data, a few details pop out. Luka Doncic will not play today, and he has won this award twice. There are 12 teams playing in back-to-back games, which will affect playing time. The detail that we are putting our money on is a repeat game between two terrible defensive teams.

This column won a great plus odd best bet by taking the Chicago Bulls moneyline against the Atlanta Hawks. It was a Sunday sweat as Chicago won 152 - 150. That is 302 total points for those bad at math. Points are the driving factor in who becomes the King of the Court. Jalen Johnson led all scorers in that game with 36 points. He was the game’s leading rebounder (11) and led the Hawks in assists (9). That was a PRA total of 56, and it may have been enough to win; 56 usually is. 

Johnson has 10 or more rebounds in ten consecutive games. He has logged nine or more assists in six of his last seven games (6 or 7). He is averaging 23.8 points per game, but has scored 30 or more in three of the last six games. Including 36 in Atlanta’s most recent game, Sunday against Chicago. Put a unit on him to deliver in the King of the Court and bring us a hefty bonus bet. Remember to opt into the promotion and select the King of the Court tab while placing this wager.

 

 

 

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*All bets placed at 1 unit unless specified otherwise.

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