Free NBA Picks For Today 12/21/2024
LA Lakers vs. Sacramento Kings NBA Pick Prediction 12/21/2024
Lakers at Kings Injuries
Hayes, Hood-Schifino, Vanderbilt and Wood are out for LA. James and Davis are questionable with Hachimura probable. Carter is out for Sacramento with Murray and Lyles questionable.
Recent Box Score Key Stats
Lakers at Kings 6PM ET—LA improved to 15-12 with their 113-100 road win at Sacramento. The Lakers shot 40% with 36% from three. Austin Reeves scored 25 points with five assists. LeBron James contributed 19 points with seven assists. The Kings shot 45% with 38% from three. De’Aaron Fox had 26 points with five assists. Domantas Sabonis got 18 points with 12 rebounds. The Kings fell to 13-15 in defeat.
The Pick with the Explanation
Sacramento at home is fourth in offensive efficiency by averaging 118 points per 100 possessions with a +3.5 net rating. LA on the road allows 115.8 points per 100 possessions with a -7.7 net rating. LA has covered four of five games as they have held opponents to 43% shooting with 33% from three. Sacramento at home is allowing 46% shooting overall with 395 from three. They are 18-30 as a home favorite. Play LA +6.5.
Miami Heat vs. Orlando Magic NBA Pick Prediction 12/21/2024
Heat at Magic Injuries
Richardson is questionable for Miami with Butler probable. Banchero and Wagner is out for Orlando. Harris questionable and Suggs with probable.
Recent Box Score Key Stats
Heat at Magic 7PM ET—Miami drops to 13-12 with their 104-97 home defeat to Oklahoma City. The Heat shot 43% with 30% from three. Tyler Herro had 28 points with 12 rebounds. Bam Adebayo chipped in with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Miami allowed 45% shooting to the Thunder with 41% from three. Orlando fell to 17-12 following their 105-99 home defeat to Oklahoma City. The Magic shot 45% with 31% from three. Anthony Black off the bench had 23 points with three assists. Goga Bitadze put up 15 points with 10 rebounds. Orlando allowed 48% shooting to the Thunder with 32% from three.
The Pick with the Explanation
Miami is 19th in road offensive efficiency by averaging 110.9 points per 100 possessions with a -2.3 net rating. Orlando is tops in home defensive efficiency by allowing 102.7 points per 100 possessions with a +11.5 net rating. Miami on the road is shooting 44.5% overall while surrendering 47% with 37% from three. Orlando is 31-11 to the spread at home facing teams that allow 46% shooting or greater. Play Orlando -2.
Utah Jazz vs. Brooklyn Nets NBA Pick Prediction 12/21/2024
Jazz at Nets Injuries
George is questionable for Utah. Bogdanovic, Thomas, Watford and Williams are out for Brooklyn.
Recent Box Score Key Stats
Jazz at Nets 7:30PM ET—Utah improved to 6-20 following their 126-119 road win at Detroit. The Jazz shot 47% with 50% from three and 27 turnovers. Collin Sexton scored 30 points with seven assists. Keyonte George had 28 points and four rebounds. Utah allowed 44% shooting to the Pistons with 28% from three. Brooklyn is 11-16 with their 101-94 road win at Toronto. The Nets connected on 40% with 23% from three. Cameron Johnson scored 33 points with 10 rebounds. Ben Simmons chipped in with 12 points and seven assists. Brooklyn allowed 40% shooting to the Raptors with 34% from three.
The Pick with the Explanation
Utah on the road is last in defensive efficiency by allowing 121 points per 100 possessions with a -9.7 net rating. Brooklyn at home is 29th in defensive efficiency by allowing 118.1 points per 100 possessions with a -6.1 net rating. In their past five games the Jazz is allowing 50% shooting with 41% from three and 127 points per game. They are shooting 49% with 44% from three in this period. The Nets in this period are allowing 49% shooting with 39% from three. Utah is 10-3 to the over on the road. Play Utah and Brooklyn over 220.5.
Memphis Grizzlies vs. Atlanta Hawks NBA Pick Prediction 12/21/2024
Grizzlies at Hawks Injuries
Huff, GG Jackson and Williams are out for Memphis. Moran is doubtful with Smart questionable. Zeller and Okongwu are out in Atlanta with Young questionable.
Recent Box Score Key Stats
Grizzlies at Hawks 7:30PM ET—Memphis improved to 19-9 following their 144-93 home win to Golden St. The Grizzlies shot 54% with 56% from three. Santi Aldama off the bench put up 21 points with 14 rebounds. Jake LaRavia had 19 points with six rebounds. Memphis allowed 36% shooting to the Warriors with 33% from three. Atlanta drops to 14-14 with their 133-126 road defeat at San Antonio. The Hawks shot 47% with 42% from three but 22 turnovers. Trae Young posted 23 points with 16 assists. De’Andre Hunter off the bench got 27 points with six rebounds. Atlanta allowed 49% shooting to the Spurs with 45% from three.
The Pick with the Explanation
Atlanta is 21st in home defensive efficiency by allowing 114.1 points per 100 possessions with a -3.2 net rating. Memphis on the road is seventh in offensive efficiency by averaging 115.9 points per 100 possessions with a +5 net rating. The Grizzlies have covered 11 of 14 against the Eastern conference. Over their past five games they are shooting 50% with 45% from three while allowing 42% overall and 31% from three. The Hawk’s form is poor over this period by allowing 50% shooting with 38% from three and making only 44.4% overall. Play Memphis -.2.5
Boston Celtics vs. Chicago Bulls NBA Pick Prediction 12/21/2024
Celtics at Bulls Injuries
Hauser is questionable for Boston. Giddey and Terry are questionable for Chicago.
Recent Box Score Key Stats
Celtics at Bulls 8PM ET—Boston fell to 21-6 following their 117-108 home defeat to Chicago. The Celtic shot 39% with 25% from three. Jayson Tatum scored 31 points with 10 rebounds. Kristaps Porzingis put up 20 points with eight rebounds. Chicago shot 45% with 37% from three. Zach LaVine put up 36 points with six rebounds. Ayo Dosunmu had 17 points with eight rebounds. The Bulls improved to 13-15 in the win.
The Pick with the Explanation
The Bulls at home allow 115.9 points per 100 possessions with a -4.7 net rating. Boston on the road is averaging 118.6 points per 100 possessions with a +11.3 net rating. The Celtics in their past five games are shooting 43.6% with 33% from three. The Bulls are defending well in this period by allowing 45% shooting with 29.9% from three. Boston has failed to cover four of five. Play Chicago +11.5.
NY Knicks vs. New Orleans Pelicans NBA Pick Prediction 12/21/2024
Knicks at Pelicans Injuries
Robinson is out for NY. Alvarado, Ingram, Matkovic and Zion are out for New Orleans with Theis probable.
Recent Box Score Key Stats
Knicks at Pelicans 8PM ET—NY improved to 17-10 following their 133-107 road win at Minnesota. The Knicks shot 52% with 44% from three. Karl Anthony Towns had 32 points with 20 rebounds. Mikal Bridges put up 29 points with six assists. NY allowed 46% shooting to the Timberwolves with 40% from three. New Orleans fell to 5-23 after their 133-113 road defeat at Houston. The Pelicans put up hit 45% with 46% from three. Trey Murphy scored 28 points with three assists. Hebert Jones got 20 points and two assists. New Orleans allowed 57% shooting to the Rockets with 44% from three.
The Pick with the Explanation
NY is second in offensive efficiency on the road as they average 119.6 points per 100 possessions with a +4.2 net rating. The Pelicans at home are 26th in defensive efficiency by surrendering 116.9 points per 100 possessions with a -5.1 net rating. New Orleans in their past five games are allowing 121 points per game with 49% shooting and 37% from three. In this period the Knicks are shooting 49% with 37% from three and allowing 38% from beyond the arc. The Pels are 5-1 to the over at home against the Eastern conference. Play NY and New Orleans over 225.5.
Golden St Warriors vs. Minnesota Timberwolves NBA Pick Prediction 12/21/2024
Warriors at Timberwolves Injuries
Moody is questionable for GSW. Ingles is out for Minnesota.
Recent Box Score Key Stats
Warriors at Timberwolves 8PM ET—Golden St drops to 14-12 following their 144-93 road defeat at Memphis. The Warriors shot 36% with 33% from three. Andrew Wiggins led the starters with 19 points and not much else. Brandin Podziemski off the bench had 21 points with six assists. Golden St allowed 54% shooting to the Grizzlies with 56% from three. Minnesota fell to 14-12 after their 133-107 home defeat to NY Knicks. The Timberwolves hit 46% with 40% from three. Julious Randle got 24 points with five rebounds. Anthony Edwards contributed 17 points with seven assists. Minnesota allowed 52% shooting to the Knicks with 44% from three.
The Pick with the Explanation
Minnesota at home is fifth in defensive efficiency by allowing 105.7 points per 100 possessions with a +4.1 net rating. Golden St on the road averages 111.7 points per 100 possessions with a +1.3 net rating. The Warriors in their past five games are shooting 42.8% while surrendering 50% with 44% from three. The Timberwolves in this period are allowing 44% with 33% from three. Play Minnesota -3.5.
Philadelphia 76ers vs. Cleveland Cavaliers NBA Pick Prediction 12/21/2024
76ers at Cavaliers Injuries
Embiid, Martin and McCain are out for Philadelphia. Okoro is out for Cleveland.
Recent Box Score Key Stats
76ers at Cavaliers 8PM ET—Philadelphia improved to 9-16 following their 108-98 home win to Charlotte. The 76ers shot 49% with 36% from three. Joel Embiid scored 34 points with nine assists. Tyrese Maxey had 23 points with six assists. Philadelphia allowed 46% shooting to the Hornets with 32% from three. Cleveland is 24-4 with their 124-101 home win to Milwaukee. The Cavs shot 51% with 43% from three. Donovan Mitchell scored 27 points with six assists. Darious Garland had 16 points with five assists. Cleveland allowed 47% shooting to the Bucks with 37% from three.
The Pick with the Explanation
Philadelphia on the road is 24th in offensive efficiency as they average 107.6 points per 100 possessions with a -2 net rating. Cleveland at home is third in offensive efficiency by averaging 120.2 points per 100 possessions with a +13.3 net rating. The 76ers in their past five games are shooting 34% from three. The Cavs in this period are shooting 48% with 38% from three while surrendering 45.5% overall. They are 12-4 to the spread as a home favorite. This is the first back-to-back on the road for the 76ers. Play Cleveland -10.5.
Washington Wizards vs. Milwaukee Bucks NBA Pick Prediction 12/21/2024
Wizards at Bucks Injuries
Bey and Kuzma are out for Washington. Lillard is out for Milwaukee.
Recent Box Score Key Stats
Wizards at Bucks 8PM ET—Washington improved to 4-21 following their 123-114 home win to Charlotte. The Wizards shot 49% with 40% from three. Jordan Poole scored 27 points with four assists. Malcolm Brogdon contributed 25 points with six assists. Washington held Charlotte to 41% shooting with 19% from three. Milwaukee fell to 14-12 after their 124-101 road defeat at Cleveland. The Bucks hit 47% with 37% from three. Giannis had 33 points with 14 boards. Khris Middleton had 14 points and three boards. Milwaukee allowed 51% shooting to the Cavs with 43% from three.
The Pick with the Explanation
Milwaukee at home is averaging 114.9 points per 100 possessions with a +4.6 net rating. Washington on the road is 27th in defensive efficiency by allowing 119.5 points per 100 possessions with a -15.1 net rating. Washington in their past five games are allowing 45% shooting with 31% from three. Milwaukee has failed to cover 8 of 12 at home. The Bucks are 0-4 to the spread in back-to-back games this year. Play Washington +12.
Portland Trailblazers vs. San Antonio Spurs NBA Pick Prediction 12/21/2024
Trailblazers at Spurs Injuries
Thybulle is out with Banton questionable for Portland. San Antonio has a clean injury report.
Recent Box Score Key Stats
Trailblazers at Spurs 8:30PM ET—Portland improved to 9-18 following their 126-124 home win to Denver. The Trailblazers shot 46% with 355 from three. Anfernee Simons scored 28 points with 10 assists. Shaedon Sharpe chipped in with 27 points and six rebounds. Portland allowed 54% shooting to the Nuggets with 44% from three. San Antonio is 14-13 with their 133-126 home win to Atlanta. The Spurs made 49% of their shots with 45% from three. Victor Wembanyama put up 42 points with six rebounds. Devin Vassell chipped in with 23 points and four rebounds. San Antonio allowed 475 shooting to the Hawks with 42% from three.
The Pick with the Explanation
Portland on the road is 28th in offensive efficiency as they average 105.1 points per 100 possessions with a -10.2 net rating. San Antonio at home averages and allows 114 points per 100 possessions. The Trailblazers in their past five games are allowing 51% shooting with 42% from three and in poor shooting form. The Spurs in this period are allowing 47% shooting with 39% from three plus surrendering 121 points per game. The Spurs are 0-3 to the spread as a home favorite of 6.5 to 12 points. The Trailblazers are healthy in this spot. Play Portland +6.5.
LA Clippers vs. Dallas Mavericks NBA Pick Prediction 12/21/2024
Clippers at Mavericks Injuries
Mann, Leonard, Brown and Tucker are out for LA. Luka, Exum, Hardy and Williams are out for Dallas.
Recent Box Score Key Stats
Clippers at Mavericks 8:30PM ET—LA improved to 16-12 with their 118-95 road win at Dallas. The Clippers shot 52% with 42% from three. Norman Powell had 29 points with seven rebounds. James Harden contributed 24 points with seven assists. Dallas shot 40% with 23% from three. Klay Thompson scored 22 points with three assists. Spencer Dinwiddie contributed 19 points and seven assists. Dallas fell to 17-10 in defeat.
The Pick with the Explanation
LA on the road is fourth in defensive efficiency by allowing 108.3 points per 100 possessions with a +1.4 net rating. Dallas at home is putting up 114.5 points per 100 possessions with a +8.3 net rating. LA in their past five games are allowing 47% shooting. The Mavs in this period shooting 50% with 42% from three. They are 3-1 to the spread at home following a home loss as a favorite. Play Dallas -3.5.
Detroit Pistons vs. Phoenix Suns NBA Pick Prediction 12/21/2024
Pistons at Suns Injuries
Stewart is out for Detroit with Ivey probable. Booker and Gillespie are out for Phoenix with Bol questionable.
Recent Box Score Key Stats
Pistons at Suns 9PM ET—Detroit fell to 11-17 following their 126-119 home defeat to Utah. The Pistons connected on 44% with 28% from three. Cade Cunningham scored 33 points with seven assists. Malik Beasley put up 26 points with four assists. Detroit allowed 47% shooting to the Jazz with 50% from three. Phoenix drops to 14-12 after their 120-111 home defeat to Indiana. The Suns hit 49% with 30% from three. Kevin Durant put up 37 points with ten rebounds. Devin Booker produced 17 points with six assists. Phoenix allowed 44% shooting to the Pacers with 39% from three.
The Pick with the Explanation
The Suns at home average 113 points per 100 possessions with a +2 net rating. Detroit on the road surrenders 111.7 points per 100 possessions with a -1 net rating. The Pistons in their past five games are allowing 49% shooting with 39% from three while hitting 39% from beyond the arc. The Suns in this period are allowing 49% shooting with 40% from three and 118 points per game. They are shooting 48% with 41% from three. The Suns are 6-2 to the over against the Eastern conference. The Pistons have gone over in 4 of 5. Play Detroit and Phoenix over 225.