Free NBA Picks For Today 12/20/2024
Charlotte Hornets vs. Philadelphia 76ers NBA Pick Prediction 12/20/2024
Hornets at 76ers Injuries
Mann is out with Miller questionable for Charlotte. McCain and Martin are out for Philadelphia with Embiid questionable.
Recent Box Score Key Stats
Hornets at 76ers 7PM ET—Charlotte fell to 8-16 following their 123-114 road defeat to Washington. The Hornets shot 41% with 19% from three. LaMelo Ball scored 34 points with 13 assists. Miles Bridges chipped in with 16 points and eight rebounds. Charlotte allowed 49% shooting to the Wizards with 40% from three. Philadelphia improved to 8-16 following their 121-108 road win at Charlotte. The 76ers shot 51% with 42% from three but 20 turnovers. Tyrese Maxey scored 40 points with five rebounds. Paul George chipped in with 33 points and eight assists. Philadelphia allowed 51% shooting to the Hornets with 32% from three.
The Pick with the Explanation
Philadelphia at home is 29th in offensive efficiency as they average 107 points per 100 possessions with a -7.2 net rating. Charlotte on the road is 26th in offensive efficiency as they average 107 points per 100 possessions with a -8.7 net rating. The Hornets’ shooting form is poor in their past five games as they are hitting 43.7% overall and 27.2% from three. Philadelphia has struggled from the free throw line in this period. But defensively over this period have defended the three well. Philadelphia has gone under in three of four and 4-0 to the under at home against losing teams. Play Charlotte and Philadelphia under 217.5.
Milwaukee Bucks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers NBA Pick Prediction 12/20/2024
Bucks at Cavaliers Injuries
Lillard is out for Milwaukee with Middleton and Giannis probable. Okoro is out for Cleveland with Strus questionable.
Recent Box Score Key Stats
Bucks at Cavaliers—Milwaukee improved to 15-11 following their 97-81 victory to Oklahoma City. The Bucks shot 42% with 42% from three. Giannis had 26 points with a Triple Double. Damian Lillard chipped in with 23 points and four rebounds. Milwaukee held OKC to 345 shooting with 18% from three. Cleveland is 23-4 with their 130-101 road win at Brooklyn. The Cavs hit 53% with 40% from three. Evan Mobley put up 21 points with five rebounds. Donovan Mitchell had 18 points with five assists. Cleveland allowed 42% shooting to the Nets with 41% from three.
The Pick with the Explanation
Milwaukee on the road is 24th in defensive efficiency by allowing 116.1 points per 100 possessions with a -3.2 net rating. Cleveland at home is second in offensive efficiency by averaging 120.4 points per 100 possessions with a +12.6 net rating. The Bucks defense in their past five games have allowed opponents 43.4% shooting with 31.6% from three. They have been in outstanding shooting form. Cleveland form over this period is very good as well. Two days of rest since the In Season Tournament win for the Bucks so holding form is a good possibility. Play Milwaukee +9.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Miami Heat NBA Pick Prediction 12/20/2024
Thunder at Heat Injuries
Holmgren and Flagler are out for OKC. Ducas and Jaylin Williams are questionable. Richardson is doubtful for Miami with Jovic and Larsson questionable.
Recent Box Score Key Stats
Thunder at Heat 8PM ET—Oklahoma City improved to 21-6 after their 105-99 road win at Orlando. The Thunder shot 48% with 32% from three. SGA scored 35 points with six assists. Isaiah Hartenstein put up 12 points with 12 rebounds. OKC held Orlando to 45% shooting with 31% from three. Miami is 13-11 after their 125-124 road defeat at Detroit. The Heat shot 45% with 28% from three. Jimmy Butler scored 35 points with a Triple Double. Tyler Herro chipped in with 23 points and four rebounds. Miami allowed 49% shooting to the Pistons with 50% from three.
The Pick with the Explanation
OKC in their past five games is shooting 45% with 33% from three. Miami in this span is hitting 50% with 41% from three and allowing 45% overall. It is a back-to-back for the Thunder and playing their third game in four nights. The Heat enter with three days of rest making this a Smash Spot. They are 4-0 to the spread at home against winning teams. Play Miami -1.