Free NBA Picks For Today 12/23/2024
Utah Jazz vs. Cleveland Cavaliers NBA Pick Prediction 12/23/2024
Jazz at Cavaliers Injuries
George is questionable for Utah. Okoro and Travers are out for Cleveland with Merrill questionable.
Recent Box Score Key Stats
Jazz at Cavaliers 7PM ET—Utah improved to 7-20 following their 105-94 road win at Brooklyn. The Jazz shot 48% with 34% from three. Lauri Markkanen scored 21 points with seven rebounds. Collin Sexton chipped in with 18 points with five assists. Utah allowed 40% shooting to the Nets with 18% from three. Cleveland is 25-4 after their 126-99 home win to Philadelphia. The Cavs shot 53% with 51% from three. Darious Garland had 26 points with five rebounds. Evan Mobley chipped in with 22 points and 13 rebounds. Cleveland held Philadelphia to 40% shooting with 32% from three.
The Pick with the Explanation
Cleveland at home is tops in offensive efficiency as they average 120.8 points per 100 possessions with a +14.1 net rating. Utah on the road is 28th in defensive efficiency by allowing 119.2 points per 100 possessions with a -8.4 net rating. Utah in their past five games are allowing 50% shooting with 40% from three and 126 points per game. They are hitting 47% with 42% from three in this period. The Cavs over this span hitting 49% with 41% from three and scoring 122 points per game. Utah is 10-4 to the over on the road. Cleveland is 11-6 to the over at home. Play Utah and Cleveland over 232.5.
Houston Rockets vs. Charlotte Hornets NBA Pick Prediction 12/23/2024
Rockets at Hornets Injuries
Eason is out for Houston. Mann and Miller are out for Charlotte.
Recent Box Score Key Stats
Rockets at Hornets 7PM ET—Houston improved to 19-9 with their 114-110 road win at Toronto. The Rockets shot 45% with 25% from three but 21 turnovers. Dillon Brooks scored 27 points with six rebounds. Jalen Green had 22 points with seven rebounds. Houston allowed 46% shooting to the Raptors with 40% from three. Charlotte fell to 7-21 following their 108-98 road defeat at Philadelphia. The Hornets shot 46% with 32% from three. Vasilije Micic had 20 points with four assists. Miles Bridges got 15 points with seven rebounds. Charlotte allowed 49% shooting to the 76ers with 36% from three.
The Pick with the Explanation
Houston is third in road defensive efficiency by allowing 107.6 points per 100 possessions with a +3.5 net rating. Charlotte at home is 25th in offensive efficiency by averaging 109.6 points per 100 possessions with a -4.3 net rating. The Rockets in their past five games are shooting 45% with 31% from three and defending well. Charlotte in this period hitting 44% with 28% from three. They are 9-5 to the under at home. Play Houston and Charlotte under 218.5.
Boston Celtics vs. Orlando Magic NBA Pick Prediction 12/23/2024
Celtics at Magic Injuries
Hauser is questionable for Boston. Banchero and Wagner are out for Orlando. Harris and Suggs are questionable.
Recent Box Score Key Stats
Celtics at Magic 7PM ET—Boston improved to 22-6 following their 123-98 road win at Chicago. The Celtics hit 48% with 33% from three. Jayson Tatum scored 43 points with a Triple Double. Kristaps Porzingis contributed 22 points with seven rebounds. Boston held Chicago to 38% shooting with 34% from three. Orlando is 18-12 after their 121-114 home victory to Miami. The Magic shot 49% with 30% from three. Cole Anthony off the bench put up 35 points with nine assists. Kentavious Caldwell Pope put up 24 points with two assists. Orlando allowed 48% shooting to the Heat with 28% from three.
The Pick with the Explanation
Boston is third in offensive efficiency at home by averaging 120.3 points per 100 possessions with a +8 net rating. Orlando at home is second in defensive efficiency by allowing 1-3.5 points per 100 possessions with a +11.3 net rating. The Celtics in their past five games area shooting 44% with 33% from three. The Magic has covered 11 of 13 at home. Play Orlando +10.
San Antonio Spurs vs. Philadelphia 76ers NBA Pick Prediction 12/23/2024
Spurs at 76ers Injuries
San Antonio has a clean injury report. Gordon and McCain are out for Philadelphia with Council questionable.
Recent Box Score Key Stats
Spurs at 76ers 7PM ET—San Antonio improved to 15-13 following their 114-94 home win to Portland. The Spurs shot 47% with 28% from three. Victor Wembanyama scored 30 points with seven rebounds. Devin Vassell chipped in with 11 points and four rebounds. San Antonio allowed 40% shooting to the Trailblazers with 28% from three. Philadelphia fell to 9-17 with their 126-99 road defeat at Cleveland. The 76ers hit 40% with 32% from three. Tyrese Maxey had 27 points with three assists. Paul George got 7 points with seven rebounds. Philadelphia allowed 53% shooting to the Cavs with 51% from three.
The Pick with the Explanation
Philadelphia at home is averaging 107.8 points per 100 possessions with a -6 net rating. The Spurs on the road is 24th in offensive efficiency by averaging 107.4 points per 100 possessions and a -5.7 net rating. The Spurs away from home shoot only 43% with 34% from three. Embiid, George and Maxey to play for the 76ers. Play Philadelphia -5.5.
Brooklyn Nets vs. Miami Heat NBA Pick Prediction 12/23/2024
Nets at Heat Injuries
Thomas, Bogdanovic, Watford and Williams are out for Brooklyn with Finney-Smith questionable for Brooklyn. Richardson is out in Miami with Butler questionable and Love probable.
Recent Box Score Key Stats
Nets at Heat 7:30PM ET—Brooklyn fell to 11-17 following their 105-94 home defeat to Utah. The Nets shot 40% with 18% from three. Cameron Johnson scored 18 points with five rebounds. Ben Simmons chipped in with 15 points and ten assists. Brooklyn allowed 48% shooting to the Jazz with 34% from three. Miami drops to 13-13 after their 121-114 road defeat to Orlando. The Heat shot 48% with 28% from three. Bam Adebayo had 23 points with six rebounds. Tyler Herro chipped in with 22 points and six rebounds. Miami allowed 49% shooting to the Magic with 30% from three.
The Pick with the Explanation
Brooklyn on the road is 24th in defensive efficiency by allowing 116.3 points per 100 possessions with a -3.2 net rating. Miami at home is putting up 115.3 points per 100 possessions with a +5.3 net rating. The Nets in their past five games are allowing 50% shooting with 40% from three. The Heat in this period is surrendering 47% with 40% from three. The Heat are 8-4 to the over at home facing a team with a .250-to-.400-win rate. Play Brooklyn and Miami over 214.
Toronto Raptors vs. NY Knicks NBA Pick Prediction 12/23/2024
Raptors at Knicks Injuries
Brown, Poeltl and Quickley are out for Toronto. Barrett and Lawson are probable. McCullar and Robinson are out for NY.
Recent Box Score Key Stats
Raptors at Knicks 7:30PM ET—Toronto fell to 7-22 after their 114-110 home defeat to Houston. The Raptors shot 46% with 40% from three and 21 turnovers. Ja’Kobe Walter scored 27 points with three assists. Ochai Agbaji had 15 points with five rebounds. Toronto allowed 45% shooting to the Rockets with 25% from three. NY improved to 18-10 following their 104-93 road win at New Orleans. The Knicks shot 44% with 41% from three. Jalen Brunson scored 39 points with six assists. Mikal Bridges put up 18 points with two assists. NY allowed 41% shooting to the Pelicans with 35% from three.
The Pick with the Explanation
NY at home is second in offensive efficiency by averaging 120.7 points per 100 possessions with a +11.2 net rating. Toronto on the road is 26th in defensive efficiency by allowing 116.8 points per 100 possessions with a -5.8 net rating. The Raptors in their past five games are allowing 46.6% shooting with 35.7% from three. Nine players played 17 minutes or greater on Sunday. Toronto is 8-5 to the spread as a road underdog. Play Toronto +14.5.
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Atlanta Hawks NBA Pick Prediction 12/23/2024
Timberwolves vs. Hawks Injuries
Garza and Ingles are out for Minnesota with Nix questionable. Zeller and Okongwu are out in Atlanta. Young and Bogdanovic are questionable.
Recent Box Score Key Stats
Timberwolves at Hawks 7:30PM ET—Minnesota fell to 14-13 following their 113-103 home defeat to Golden ST. The Timberwolves shot 42% with 37% from three. Anthony Edwards had 19 points with seven rebounds. Rudy Gobert chipped in with 18 points and 12 rebounds. Atlanta is 14-15 with their 128-113 home defeat to Memphis. The Hawks connected on 49% with 37% from three. De’Andre Hunter off the bench scored 26 points with two rebounds. Dyson Daniels contributed 15 points and six assists. Atlanta allowed 52% shooting to the Grizzlies with 44% from three.
The Pick with the Explanation
Minnesota on the road allows 109.7 points per 100 possessions with a +2 net rating. Atlanta at home surrenders 114.3 points per 100 possessions with a -4 net rating. The Timberwolves in their past five games is shooting 42.6% overall. The Hawks defensively in this span surrendered 50% with 38% from three. Atlanta has failed to cover 10 of 14 at home. Play Minnesota -3.5.
LA Clippers vs. Memphis Grizzlies NBA Pick Prediction 12/23/2024
Clippers vs. Grizzlies Injuries
Brown, Leonard, Mann and Tucker are out for LA. Huff, GG Jackson, Smart and Williams are out for Memphis.
Recent Box Score Key Stats
Clippers at Grizzlies 7PM ET—LA fell to 16-13 following their 113-97 road defeat to Dallas. The Clippers shot 42% with 27% from three. Norman Powell scored 28 points with five rebounds. James Harden put up 19 points with eight rebounds. LA allowed 45% shooting to the Mavs with 40% from three. Memphis improved to 20-9 after their 128-112 road win at Atlanta. The Grizzlies shot 52% with 44% from three. Desmond Bane had 23 points with eight assists. Scottie Pippen put up 22 points and nine assists. Memphis allowed 49% shooting to the Hawks with 37% from three.
The Pick with the Explanation
Memphis at home is fourth in offensive efficiency as they average 117.9 points per 100 possessions with a +12.3 net rating. LA on the road scores and allows 109 points per 100 possessions. The Grizzlies have covered 12 of 16 at home. In their past five games they are shooting 50% with 45% from three while allowing 44% with 32% from three. LA on the road is shooting 46.4% overall. Play Memphis -6.
Washington Wizards vs. Oklahoma City Thunder NBA Pick Prediction 12/23/2024
Wizards at Thunder Injuries
Bey and Kuzma are out for Washington. Coulibaly is questionable. Holmgren and Flagler are out for OKC.
Recent Box Score Key Stats
Wizards at Thunder 8PM ET—Washington fell to 4-22 following their 112-101 road defeat to Milwaukee. The Wizards shot 44% with 43% from three. Jordan Poole scored 26 points with five rebounds. Bilal Coulibaly chipped in with 20 points and 12 rebounds. Washington allowed 455 shooting to the Bucks with 42% from three. OKC moves to 22-6 after their 104-92 road win at Miami. The Thunder shot 45% with 41% from three. Jalin Williams scored 33 points with six rebounds. SGA contributed 25 points and seven rebounds. OKC held Miami to 43% shooting with 30% from three.
The Pick with the Explanation
OKC is third in home defensive efficiency by allowing 105 points per 100 possessions with a +12.3 net rating. Washington is 27th in defensive efficiency by allowing 118.8 points per 100 possessions with a -14.8 net rating. The Wizards in their past five games are allowing 44% shooting with 34% from three. OKC in this span is hitting 43.6% with 34% from three. The Wizards are 27-22 to the spread as a road underdog. Play Washington +18.
Milwaukee Bucks vs. Chicago Bulls NBA Pick Prediction 12/23/2024
Bucks at Bulls Injuries
Lillard is doubtful for Milwaukee with Livingston and Giannis questionable. Middleton is probable. Craig and Giddey are questionable for Chicago.
Recent Box Score Key Stats
Bucks at Bulls 8PM ET—Milwaukee improved to 16-12 following their 112-101 home victory to Washington. The Bucks shot 45% with 42% from three. Bobby Portis scored 34 points with 10 rebounds. Khris Middleton had 18 points with eight assists. Milwaukee allowed 44% shooting to the Wizards with 43% from three. Chicago sits at 13-16 after their 123-98 home defeat to Boston. The Bulls connected on 38% with 34% from three. Nikola Vucevic posted 19 points with 10 rebounds. Zach Lavine contributed 14 points and four assists. Chicago allowed 48% shooting to the Celtics with 33% from three.
The Pick with the Explanation
Milwaukee on the road is 25th in defensive efficiency by allowing 116.3 points per 100 possessions with a -4.9 net rating. The Bulls at home are 26th in defensive efficiency by allowing 116.2 points per 100 possessions with a -6 net rating. The Bucks are 1-5 to the spread on the road against a losing team. Health is the issue for Milwaukee. Play Chicago +1.5.
Portland Trailblazers vs. Dallas Mavericks NBA Pick Prediction 12/23/2024
Trailblazers at Mavericks Injuries
Thybulle is out for Portland with Banton questionable. Exum, Hardy and Williams are out for Dallas with Luka questionable.
Recent Box Score Key Stats
Trailblazers at Mavericks 8:30PM ET—Portland fell to 9-19 following their 114-94 road defeat to San Antonio. The Trailblazers shot 40% with 28% from three. Shaedon Sharpe put up 25 points with three rebounds. Anfernee Simons got 18 points with six assists. Portland allowed 47% shooting to the Spurs with 28% from three. Dallas improved to 18-10 with their 113-97 home win to LA Clippers. The Mavs shot 45% with 40% from three. Quentin Grimes off the bench put up 20 points with seven rebounds. Klay Thompson got 16 points with one assist. Dallas allowed 42% shooting to the Clippers with 27% from three.
The Pick with the Explanation
Dallas at home is fifth in defensive efficiency by allowing 105.7 points per 100 possessions with a +9.1 net rating. Portland on the road is 28th in defensive efficiency by averaging 104.5 points per 100 possessions with a -10.9 net rating. Portland in their past five games is shooting 44.6% with 31.6% from three. They have gone under in 10 of 14 on the road. The Mavs have gone under in 9 of 13 at home. Play Portland and Dallas under 229.
Indiana Pacers vs. Golden St Warriors NBA Pick Prediction 12/23/2024
Pacers at Warriors Injuries
Nesmith is out for Indiana. Green and Moody are questionable for GSW.
Recent Box Score Key Stats
Pacers at Warriors 10PM ET—Indiana is 14-15 after their 122-95 road win at Sacramento. The Pacers shot 58% with 44% from three. Pascal Siakam put up 19 points with 10 rebounds. Myles Turner chipped in with 15 points and six boards. Indiana allowed 36% shooting to the Kings with 32% from three. Golden St improved to 15-12 following their 113-103 road win at Minnesota. The Warriors shot 46% with 38% from three. Steph Curry had 31 points with 10 assists. Trayce Jackson Davis produced 15 points and nine rebounds. Golden St held Minnesota to 42% shooting with 37% from three.
The Pick with the Explanation
Indiana on the road is allowing 114.8 points per 100 possessions with a -4.1 net rating. Golden St at home averaging 111.6 points per 100 possessions with a +2.6 net rating. The Pacers played 11 players with significant minutes on Sunday. The Pacers in their past five games are shooting 51% with 42% from three. The Warriors in this period are surrendering 50% shooting with 44% from three. The Pacers have covered 5 of 6. They have shot 51% or greater in five of those games. Play Indiana +6.
Phoenix Suns vs. Denver Nuggets NBA Pick Prediction 12/23/2024
Suns at Nuggets Injuries
Allen, Bol, Booker and Gillespie are out for Phoenix. Cancar is out for Denver.
Recent Box Score Key Stats
Suns at Nuggets 10PM ET—Phoenix fell to 14-13 following their 133-125 home defeat to Detroit. The Suns shot 58% with 48% from three but 19 turnovers. Kevin Durant scored 43 points with six assists. Bradley Beal chipped in with 26 points and six rebounds. Phoenix allowed 55% shooting to the Pistons with 49% from three.
Denver improved to 15-11 following their 132-129 road win at New Orleans. The Nuggets shot 51% with 30% from three but 22 turnovers. Nikola Jokic put up 27 points with a Triple Double. Jamal Murray had 27 points with eight rebounds. Denver allowed 46% shooting to the Pelicans with 30% from three.
The Pick with the Explanation
Denver at home is averaging 115 points per 100 possessions with a +1.6 net rating. Phoenix on the road is last in defensive efficiency by allowing 119.6 points per 100 possessions with a -3.7 net rating. The Suns in their past five games are shooting 51% with 43% from three while surrendering 49% with 41% from three. The Nuggets in this span connecting on 54% with 38% from three and putting up 129 points per game. The Nuggets have gone over in 4 of 5. Play Phoenix and Denver over 232.5.
Detroit Pistons vs. LA Lakers NBA Pick Prediction 12/23/2024
Pistons at Lakers Injuries
Stewart is out for Detroit. Hayes, Hood-Schifino, Vanderbilt and Wood are out for LA. Davis and James are questionable.
Recent Box Score Key Stats
Pistons at Lakers 7PM ET—Detroit improved to 12-17 following their 133-125 road win at Phoenix. The Pistons shot 55% with 49% from three. Cade Cunningham had 28 points with 13 assists. Jaden Ivey had 20 points with eight assists. Detroit allowed 58% shooting to the Suns with 48% from three. LA is 16-12 with their 103-99 road win at Sacramento. The Lakers hit 48% with 26% from three. LeBron James put up 32 points with seven rebounds. D’Angelo Russell contributed 20 points off the bench with five assists. LA allowed 43% shooting to the Kings with 27% from three.
The Pick with the Explanation
Detroit on the road scores and allows 112 points per 100 possessions. LA at home averages 115.9 points per 100 possessions with a +2.5 net rating. The Pistons in their past five games are allowing 51% shooting with 40% from three. LA has sharpened defensively as in this period allowing 42% shooting with 29.6% from three. LA has covered 5 of 6. Play LA -5.5.