Free NBA Picks For Today 12/22/2024
Houston Rockets vs. Toronto Raptors NBA Pick Prediction 12/22/2024
Rockets at Raptors Injuries
Eason is out for Houston. Brown, Poeltl and Quickley are out for Toronto with Mitchell questionable.
Recent Box Score Key Stats
Rockets at Raptors 6PM ET—Houston improved to 18-9 following their 133-113 home victory to New Orleans. The Rockets shot 57% with 44% from three. Jalen Green put up 34 points with six rebounds. Dillon Brooks chipped in with 26 points and seven rebounds. Houston held New Orleans to 45% shooting with 46% from three. Toronto fell to 7-21 after their 101-94 home defeat to Brooklyn. The Raptors shot 40% with 34% from three. Ochai Agbaji had 20 points with five rebounds. Gradey Dick poured in 19 points with six boards. Toronto allowed 40% shooting to the Nets with 23% from three.
The Pick with the Explanation
Houston on the road is third in defensive efficiency by allowing 108 points per 100 possessions with a +3.3 net rating. Toronto at home is putting up 110 points per 100 possessions with a -3.8 net rating. The Raptors have covered 10 of 14 at home. The Rockets on the road shot 43% with 31% from three. Play Toronto +7.
Indiana Pacers vs. Sacramento Kings NBA Pick Prediction 12/22/2024
Pacers at Kings Injuries
Nesmith is out for Indiana with Sheppard probable. Carter is out for Sacramento.
Recent Box Score Key Stats
Pacers at Kings 6PM ET—Indiana improved to 13-15 following their 120-111 road win at Phoenix. The Pacers shot 44% with 39% from three. Pascal Siakam scored 25 points with 18 rebounds. Myles Turner contributed 19 points and six boards. Indiana allowed 49% shooting to the Suns with 30% from three. Sacramento drops to 13-16 following their 103-99 home defeat to LA Lakers. The Kings shot 43% with 27% from three. De’Aaron Fox scored 31 points with seven assists. Domantas Sabonis had 19 points and 19 rebounds. Sacramento allowed 48% shooting to LA with 26% from three.
The Pick with the Explanation
Sacramento at home is allowing 113.9 points per 100 possessions with a +1.7 net rating. Indiana on the road surrenders 115.8 points per 100 possessions with a -6 net rating. The Pacers form is good over their past five games as they hit 51% with 42% from three and allow 46% shooting overall. Sacramento at home is allowing 39% shooting from three. They have failed to cover 10 of 14 at home. The Pacers have covered 4 of 5. Play Indiana +2.
Denver Nuggets vs. New Orleans Pelicans NBA Pick Prediction 12/22/2024
Nuggets at Pelicans Injuries
Cancar is out for Denver with Saric doubtful. Braun is probable. Alvarado, Ingram, Matkovic, Theis and Zion are out for New Orleans.
Recent Box Score Key Stats
Nuggets at Pelicans 7PM ET—Denver drops to 14-11 after their 126-124 road defeat to Portland. The Nuggets converted 54% with 44% from three. Nikola Jokic scored 34 points with eight assists. Jamal Murry chipped in with 24 points and ten assists. Denver allowed 46% shooting to the Trailblazers with 35% from three. New Orleans fell to 5-24 with their 104-93 home defeat to NY Knicks. The Pelicans connected on 41% with 35% from three. Trey Murphy scored 26 points with six rebounds. Dejounte Murray chipped in with 14 points and nine rebounds. New Orleans allowed 44% shooting to the Knicks with 41% from three.
The Pick with the Explanation
Denver on the road is allowing 113.5 points per 100 possessions with a +3 net rating. New Orleans at home is allowing 116.5 points per 100 possessions with a -5.6 net rating. The Nuggets on the road surrender 46% shooting and 117 points per game. At home the Pelicans convert 36% from three and get outscored by five points per game. Denver is 1-6 to the spread as a road favorite with five of those non-covers coming against losing teams. The Pelicans are 6-3 to the spread as a home underdog. Play New Orleans +9.5.