NBA Best Bets Today, 12/30: Picks, Predictions & Player Props - Tuesday
Meatloaf for the second day in a row! And a double unit winner too boot! The Milwaukee Bucks easily cleared their spread of -3.0 with a 123 - 113 victory. The San Antonio Spurs and Cleveland Cavaliers played great defense, just as we predicted, and the game finished 25 points lower than the projected total. Julius Randle did not go over 21.5 points in a blowout victory. However, yesterday proved that ‘two out of three ain’t bad’.
There are just four games today, and all but one are an Eastern Conference versus Western Conference showdown. The one game that is not is between two Western Conference teams, and it features the first best bet of the night. It also features the player we are choosing for the King of the Court, but who could it be?
NBA Best Bets Today, 12/30: Picks, Predictions & Player Props - Tuesday
Sacramento Kings vs Los Angeles Clippers: Tuesday 12/30
Game Time: 11:00 PM ET | TV: NBA League Pass | Location: Intuit Dome | Odds: LAC -9.5 | O/U 222.5
The Los Angeles Clippers are moving with momentum, and Fantasy Alarm NBA Best Bets has been rolling with them. We have successfully bet on their last three games, and return to them again today. The Sacramento Kings come to town, and with them, an unimpressive defense. That will happen when a back-to-back league-leading rebounder is out for an extended period of time.
The total of 222.5 points is in play today, but instead of betting on the Kings' inconsistent offense, put a unit on the teased-up team total of the Clippers. Their line is set at 116.5, but moving it up just one point takes the juice off. In fact, it moves it to plus odds. Los Angeles has won four consecutive games and scored over 117.5 points in two of their last three games.
That is mostly due to the improved play of Kawhi Leonard, who has a track record of starting slow and playing better at the end of the season. The data indicates that Leonard plays himself into shape, as the numbers before and after 500 minutes of game play in the season are a tell of two different players. Leonard is above 500 minutes this season, and playing like an All-Star once again. Put a unit on the best bet of over 117.5 points for the Los Angeles Clippers.
Philadelphia 76ers vs Memphis Grizzlies: Tuesday 12/30
Game Time: 8:00 PM ET | TV: NBC/Peacock | Location: FedExForum | Odds: PHI -1.5 | O/U 232.5
- Prediction: PHI -1.5 (-105 on BETMGM Sportsbook)
There are two nationally televised games on NBC/Peacock today. The first takes place in Tennessee as the Memphis Grizzlies host the Philadelphia 76ers. Philadelphia could be without Joel Embiid, and his official game status will likely tilt this spread one way or another. Either way, the belief is that the 76ers will be victorious against the Grizzlies.
With such a low spread, the best bet is on the 76ers to cover it. Both teams need to get back into the win column, and both are inconsistent with their defensive play. However, Memphis is a little more banged up than the 76ers. And Philadelphia is more accustomed to playing without Joel Embiid than Memphis is without Zach Edey.
Memphis has a losing home record, and Philadelphia has a winning road record. With that trend expected and great odds on the spread, the bet becomes clear. Tyrese Maxey is the best player on the court, Nick Nurse is the better head coach, and Philadelphia has the deeper bench. The combination makes it easy, put a unit on the best bet of -1.5 for the 76ers.
NBA King of the Court Bet Today, 12/30
Today is Tuesday, and that means the King of the Court promotional offer from DraftKings Sportsbooks. Bettors who accurately predict the player with the most points + rebounds + assists (PRA) will earn a share of $1,000,000 in bonus bets. Make sure to opt in and select the promotion to ensure you are eligible.
As mentioned, this is a “chalky” promotion. DraftKings wants to give out 100,000 $10 bonus bets, not 10 $100,000 bonus bets. There are only four games today, but Luka Doncic and Tyrese Maxey have won this distinction three times this season. However, Kawhi Leonard is on a tear to validate his being in the All-Star game. It just happens to take place on his homecourt, the Intuit Dome, this season.
Leonard has point totals of 55, 28, 41, and 32 during the Clippers' four-game win streak. He has a combined PRA of 42 or more in all four games, with a peak of 68 just two days ago. Leonard has made 64 of his last 65 free throw attempts (WOW!), and has gotten to the charity stripe 46 times in this four-game win streak as well. It’s obvious that Leonard is playing well, and the NBA is helping him during this 2/3 stretch of the regular season. The “All-Star stretch”.
Leonard’s PRA line is set at 42 with -110 odds. But he’s gone way over that, and more than 42 PRA will be needed to be the king of the court. Put a unit on Leonard to record 45+ PRA against a weak Sacramento Kings defense, and earn us a hefty bonus bet.
Get $200 in Bonus Bets Today At DraftKings Sportsbook When You Sign Up
Ready to elevate your NBA betting? New users at Draftkings Sportsbook can snag $200 in bonus bets after a winning $5 wager—perfect for tailing these picks. Sign up now, deposit, and bet on any Friday matchup to unlock the offer. T&Cs apply; 21+ in eligible states. Gamble responsibly.
Bet Smart, Be Lucky - Iggy G. -
*All bets placed at 1 unit unless specified otherwise.
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