Free NBA Picks For Today 12/23/2020
More NBA Picks Predictions Previews
Charlotte Hornets vs. Cleveland Cavaliers NBA Pick Prediction 12/23/2020
Hornets at Cavaliers—NBA pick is Charlotte Hornets -1.5. Charlotte a good three point shooting team added some impact players to the roster in the offseason. Entering the Hornets roster are Gordon Hayward and rookie LaMelo Ball. Cleveland struggled to defend last season. Kevin Love is surrounded by youth, but his presence hasn’t helped the team gather wins. Cavs near the bottom in points scored and allowed per possession. Play Charlotte -1.5.
New York Knicks vs. Indiana Pacers NBA Pick Prediction 12/23/2020
Knicks at Pacers—NBA pick is New York Knicks +8. New York has improved their bench depth to go along with an efficient starting five. Knicks have been competitive against the Pacers cover two of three last season. Pacers do not shoot a high volume of threes and struggled on the defensive glass. Knicks generate enough offense to cover here. Play Knicks +8.
Miami Heat vs. Orlando Magic NBA Pick Prediction 12/23/2020
Heat at Magic—Free pick is Miami Heat -3.5. Don’t expect a slow start from the defending Eastern Conference champs with Jimmy Butler in the lineup. He goes hard and takes pride in each game. Heat have been a good team to back when rested. Miami lineup has a strong bench that contributes with scoring. They defend the three well and Orlando takes lots of them. This Magic group was weak defensively around the rim and from three. Heat a good three point shooting team. Play Miami -3.5.
Washington Wizards vs. Philadelphia 76ers NBA Pick Prediction 12/23/2020
Wizards at 76ers—NBA pick is Philadelphia 76ers -7.5. Wizards were one of the worst defensive teams in the league last year. They add Russell Westbrook to their lineup. Westbrook has issues with shot selection and will be facing a 76ers defense that plays well at home. Lots of talent with the 76ers and in Doc Rivers opener as head coach expect a strong offensive and defensive performance in this spot. Shake Milton helps off the bench and Dwight Howard will give the 76ers lift with rim defense and rebounding. Play 76ers -7.5.
New Orleans Pelicans vs. Toronto Raptors NBA Pick Prediction 12/23/2020
Pelicans at Raptors—NBA free pick is New Orleans Pelicans +4.5. Pelicans added some key contributors to help a quality roster in Steven Adams and Eric Bledsoe. Adams presence was one of the main reasons why the Oklahoma City Thunder were near the top of the league in defensive efficiency. Stan Van Gundy takes over a team full of talent. Raptors loss come depth and defensive presence with Marc Gasol and Serge Ibaka exiting in free agency. Toronto is playing their designated home games in Tampa Florida. Improved Pelicans keep this to a one possession game. Play New Orleans +4.5.
Milwaukee Bucks vs. Boston Celtics NBA Pick Prediction 12/23/2020
Bucks at Celtics—Free pick is Milwaukee Bucks -3. Not much home court advantage in front of little to no fans this early in the season. Celtics will be without Kemba Walker with a knee and Tristan Thompson is dealing with a hamstring problem. Boston lacks size and their bench did not contribute enough. Gordon Heyward left the team in free agency. Bucks made a key contribution in the offseason adding Jrue Holiday who will help an already an efficient defense. They also make moves to help the bench. Injuries are significant for Boston. Play Milwaukee -3.
Atlanta Hawks vs. Chicago Bulls NBA Pick Prediction 12/23/2020
Hawks at Bulls—NBA pick is Atlanta Hawks and Chicago Bulls to play over the total of 230 points. Trae Young and the Atlanta Hawks played a lot of high scoring games last season. They play fast and added talent around Trae Young. But defense still seems to be an issue as the Hawks figure to be in a lot of high scoring games. Chicago is another young team full of talent but not strong on defense. It will take time for head coach Billy Donovan to get his Bulls to play a strong defensive style. But that didn’t work out in OKC as there were offensive droughts. Could Donovan change gears and be more offensive minded with his second team? There is no doubt that this could be the case with the talent on this Bulls roster. His bench can provide scoring as well. Play Hawks and Bulls over 230.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Houston Rockets NBA Pick Prediction 12/23/2020
Thunder at Rockets—NBA free pick is Oklahoma City Thunder and Houston Rockets to play under the total of 226 points. Thunder roster still constructed to be defensive minded despite Bill Donovan exiting as head coach. They will struggled to be an efficient offense and rely on defense. John Wall comes over from Washington to pair with James Harden. But with Harden being ball dominant there could be a diminished role for Wall in the offense. Russell Westbrook has exited Houston in the offseason. Head to head under has come in 13 of their prior 19 meetings. Play Rockets and Thunder under 226.
San Antonio Spurs vs. Memphis Grizzlies NBA Pick Prediction 12/23/2020
Spurs at Grizzlies—Free pick is San Antonio Spurs +2.5. Spurs return many from last season that shot fourth best from three at 38.1%. Spurts get point production from their bench. Health is a concern for the Grizzlies as they begin the year. Jarren Jackson will be out with a knee injury. Justise Winslow is out with a hip injury. Team struggled offensively with poor efficiency and defending the three point line. Play Spurs +2.5.
Detroit Pistons vs. Minnesota Timberwolves NBA Pick Prediction 12/23/2020
Pistons at Timberwolves—NBA pick is Detroit Pistons +5. Healthy Blake Griffin and Derrick Rose on the court together did provide positive results. Positive additions to the starting lineup in Delan Wright, Jerami Grant and Mason Plumlee. Minnesota was just a bad cover team for rookie head coach Ryan Saunders last year. Defensive performance was just bad. Don’t see it improving. Play Detroit +5.
Sacramento Kings vs. Denver Nuggets NBA Pick Prediction 12/23/2020
Kings at Nuggets—NBA free pick is Sacramento Kings +8.5. Kings have talented scorers in their lineup in De’Aaron Fox, Buddy Hield and Harris Barnes which will keep them competitive. Kings were good to the spread on the road last season. A healthy Marvin Bagley will help. Quick turnaround for Denver after their playoff run last year. Denver Will Barton is dealing with a knee injury and JaMychal Green will be out with a calf injury. Rather take points here. Play Kings +8.5.
Utah Jazz vs. Portland Trailblazers NBA Pick Prediction 12/23/2020
Jazz at Trailblazers—Free pick is Portland Trailblazers -1.5. Prefer the offense of the Trailblazers with Lillard, McCollum and Nurkic in the lineup. Big addition for the Trailblazers was Robert Covington. Rodney Hood returns from injury and Enes Kantar provides strong rebounding. Respect Utah but believe the Trailblazers entering with rest has an edge offensively. Play Portland -1.5.
Dallas Mavericks vs. Phoenix Suns NBA Pick Prediction 12/23/2020
Mavericks at Suns—NBA pick is Phoenix Suns -1. Phoenix added veteran leadership with Chris Paul. Dallas will be without Kristaps Porzingis with a knee injury. Suns won three straight against the Mavericks last year behind strong shooting. Phoenix added some bench depth. Mavericks were a bottom half in points per possession defensively. Suns Devin Booker, DeAndre Ayton and Mikal Bridges were efficient playing together on the court and will be better with Paul. Play Suns -1.