Free NBA Picks For Today 12/28/2024
Miami Heat vs. Atlanta Hawks NBA Pick Prediction 12/28/2024
Heat at Hawks Injuries
Butler and Richardson are out for Miami. Jovic is questionable with Larson and Rozier probable. Okongwu and Zeller are out in Atlanta. Young and Bogdanovic are questionable.
Recent Box Score Key Stats
Heat at Hawks 3PM ET—Miami improved to 15-13 following their 89-88 road win at Orlando. The Heat shot 41% with 50% from three. Tyler Herro scored 20 points with three rebounds. Alec Burks off the bench had 17 points with six rebounds. Miami allowed 44% shooting to the Magic with 17% from three. Atlanta is 16-15 after their 141-133 home win to Chicago. The Hawks shot 52% with 38% from three. Jalen Johnson scored 30 points with 16 rebounds. Trae Young chipped in with 27 points and 13 assists. Atlanta allowed 54% shooting to the Bulls with 51% from three.
The Pick with the Explanation
Atlanta at home is averaging 112 points per 100 possessions with a -2.4 net rating. The Heat on the road averaged 109.7 points per 100 possessions with a -2.5 net rating. The Heat in their past five games is shooting only 45% with 35% from three. The Hawks are in the better offensive form as in this period hitting 49% with 41% from three. Miami has failed to cover four of their past five on the road. Play Atlanta -2.5.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Charlotte Hornets NBA Pick Prediction 12/28/2024
Thunder at Hornets Injuries
Caruso, Dort, Holmgren, Carlson and Wallace are out for OKC. Mann is out with Ball, Miller and Williams questionable for Charlotte.
Recent Box Score Key Stats
Thunder at Hornets 6PM ET—Oklahoma City improved to 24-6 following their 120-114 road win at Indiana. The Thunder shot 46% with 35% from three. SGA scored 45 points with eight assists. Jalin Williams chipped in with 20 points with five assists. Oklahoma City allowed 47% shooting to the Pacers with 39% from three. Charlotte is 7-23 after their 113-110 road defeat to Washington. The Hornets shot 44% with 40% from three. LaMelo Ball had 31 points with six assists. Miles Bridges had 22 points with 14 rebounds. Charlotte allowed 43% shooting to the Wizards with 32% from three.
The Pick with the Explanation
OKC is tops in defensive efficiency on the road by allowing 102.6 points per 100 possessions with a +10.7 net rating. The Hornets at home are 26th in offensive efficiency by averaging 109.2 points per 100 possessions and a -4.9 net rating. OKC in their past five games are shooting 43.6% with 30.2% from three but allowing 43% overall. Charlotte in this period is hitting 44% with 30% from three. Charlotte is 10-5 to the under at home and the Thunder 11-6 to the under on the road. Play OKC and Charlotte under 219.
NY Knicks vs. Washington Wizards NBA Pick Prediction 12/28/2024
Knicks at Wizards Injuries
Robinson and McCullar are out for NY. Bagley, Bey and Kuzma are out for Washington with Poole questionable.
Recent Box Score Key Stats
Knicks at Wizards 7PM ET—New York is 21-10 after their 108-85 road win at Charlotte. The Knicks shot 53% with 27% from three. Jalen Brunson scored 28 points with nine assists. Josh Hart chipped in with 23 points and 13 rebounds. NY held Orlando to 37% shooting with 30% from three. Washington improved to 5-23 following their 113-110 home victory to Charlotte. The Wizards shot 43% with 32% from three. Jordan Poole scored 25 points with six rebounds. Bilal Coulibaly had 20 points with six rebounds. Washington allowed 44% shooting to the Hornets with 40% from three.
The Pick with the Explanation
The Wizards at home are last in offensive efficiency as they average 105.3 points per 100 possessions with a -11.6 net rating. The Knicks on the road are second in offensive efficiency by averaging 118.7 points per 100 possessions with a +5.7 net rating. Washington in their past five games are allowing 43% shooting with 33.6% from three while hitting 37% from three. The Knicks in this period are allowing 38% from three. Third game in four days and a road back-to-back for the Knicks facing a rested Wizards team. Bad spot for NY. Play Washington +12.5.
Milwaukee Bucks vs. Chicago Bulls NBA Pick Prediction 12/28/2024
Bucks at Bulls Injuries
Johnson is out for Milwaukee with Giannis and Lillard questionable. Middleton and Jackson are probable. Steward is out for Chicago with Dosunmu doubtful. Giddey, Ball and Buzelis are questionable with Smith probable.
Recent Box Score Key Stats
Bucks at Bulls 8PM ET—Milwaukee drops to 17-13 following their 111-105 home defeat to Brooklyn. The Bucks shot 49% with 39% from three but 22 turnovers. Brook Lopez had 20 points with seven rebounds. Khris Middleton chipped in with 21 points and five assists. Milwaukee allowed 48% shooting to the Nets with 42% from three. Chicago fell to 13-18 after their 141-133 road defeat to Atlanta. The Bulls hit 54% with 51% from three. Zach LaVine scored 37 points with seven assists. Jevon Carter put up 26 points with five assists. Chicago allowed 52% shooting to the Hawks with 38% from three.
The Pick with the Explanation
Milwaukee on the road is allowing 114.2 points per 100 possessions with a -3 net rating. The Bulls at home are 25th in defensive efficiency by allowing 115.8 points per 100 possessions with a -6.9 net rating. The Bulls form is poor over their past five games allowing 47% shooting and hitting only 44.6% overall. Milwaukee over this period connecting on 41% from three and allowing 43% shooting with 33% from three. Chicago has lost and failed to cover three straight behind poor defense. They are 3-6 to the spread at home against winning teams. Play Milwaukee -3.5.
Phoenix Suns vs. Golden St Warriors NBA Pick Prediction 12/28/2024
Suns at Warriors Injuries
Allen, Booker and Bol are out for Phoenix. Curry, Green and Payton are out for Golden St.
Recent Box Score Key Stats
Suns at Warriors 8:30PM ET—Phoenix fell to 15-15 following their 98-89 home defeat to Dallas. The Suns shot 39% with 37% from three. Kevin Durant scored 35 points with three rebounds. Royce O’Neal off the bench had 14 points with four assists. Phoenix allowed 44% shooting to the Mavs with 35% from three. Golden St is 15-15 after their 102-92 road defeat to LA Clippers. The Warriors hit 37% with 18% from three. Jonathan Kuminga off the bench had 34 points with ten rebounds. Trayce Jackson Davis put up 15 points and nine rebounds. Golden St allowed 53% shooting to the Clippers with 31% from three.
The Pick with the Explanation
Golden St at home holds opponents to 110 points per 100 possessions with a +1.9 net rating. The Suns on the road is 30th in defensive efficiency by allowing 120 points per 100 possessions with a -5.5 net rating. The Warriors are 0-5 to the spread against the division. Their offensive and defensive form plus injuries makes it difficult to lay nearly two full possessions here. Play Phoenix +5.5.
Detroit Pistons vs. Denver Nuggets NBA Pick Prediction 12/28/2024
Pistons at Nuggets Injuries
Steward is probable for Detroit. Gordon and Cancar are out for Denver.
Recent Box Score Key Stats
Pistons at Nuggets 9PM ET—Detroit improved to 14-17 after their 114-113 road win at Sacramento. The Pistons shot 42% with 39% from three. Cade Cunningham scored 33 points with ten assists. Malik Beasley off the bench poured in 22 points and two assists. Detroit allowed 48% shooting to the Kings with 36% from three. Denver fell to 16-13 after their 149-135 home defeat to Cleveland. The Nuggets shot 56% with 48% from three. Nikola Jokic scored 27 points with a Triple Double. Jamal Murray chipped in with 27 points and 11 assists. Denver allowed 56% shooting to the Cavs with 48% from three.
The Pick with the Explanation
Detroit on the road averages 112.5 points per 100 possessions with a flat net rating. Denver at home puts up 116.7 points per 100 possessions with a +2.4 net rating. The Pistons have covered 11 of 17 on the road and have a rest advantage here. The Pistons in their past five games are shooting 48% with 40% from three. The Nuggets at home allow 48% shooting with 37.4% from three. Denver is 0-2 to the spread at home this season playing three games in four days. Play Detroit +5.5.
Philadelphia 76ers vs. Utah Jazz NBA Pick Prediction 12/28/2024
76ers at Jazz Injuries
Martin and McCain are out for Philadelphia with Embiid questionable. Drummond and Gordon are probable. Clarkson, Collins and George are questionable for Utah.
Recent Box Score Key Stats
76ers at Jazz 9:30PM ET—Philadelphia improved to 11-17 following their 118-114 road win at Boston. The 76ers shot 47% with 42% from three. Tyrese Maxey scored 33 points with 12 assists. Joel Embiid had 27 points with nine rebounds. Philadelphia allowed 45% shooting to the Celtics with 41% from three. Utah drops to 7-22 after their 122-120 road defeat to Portland. The Jazz shot 48% with 50% from three. Lauri Markkanen put up 25 points with six rebounds. Collin Sexton put up 19 points with 11 assists. Utah allowed 51% shooting to the Trailblazers with 39% from three.
The Pick with the Explanation
The Jazz at home is last in defensive efficiency by allowing 119.2 points per 100 possessions with a -10.3 net rating. Philadelphia on the road average 108.2 points per 100 possessions with a -3.4 net rating. Utah in their past five games are shooting 46% with 42% from three. They are holding teams to 36% from three in this period. The 76ers in this span are allowing 48% shooting with 38% from three. The 76ers are 1-7 to the spread against the Western Conference. Utah is 5-1 to the spread against the Eastern Conference and has covered four of five overall. Play Utah +7.
Dallas Mavericks vs. Portland Trailblazers NBA Pick Prediction 12/28/2024
Mavericks at Trailblazers Injuries
Luka, Exum and Lively are out for Dallas. Thybulle is out with Banton, Camara and Williams questionable.
Recent Box Score Key Stats
Mavericks at Trailblazers 10PM ET—Dallas improved to 20-11 following their 98-89 road win at Phoenix. The Mavs shot 44% with 35% from three. Kyrie Irving scored 20 points with five assists. Daniel Gafford chipped in with 16 points and five rebounds. Dallas held Phoenix to 39% shooting with 37% from three. Portland improved to 10-20 after their 122-120 home defeat to Utah. The Trailblazers hit 51% with 39% from three. Shaedon Sharpe scored 27 points with five rebounds. Deni Avdija had 27 points with eight rebounds. Portland allowed 48% shooting to the Jazz with 50% from three.
The Pick with the Explanation
Dallas on the road averages 118 points per 100 possessions with a +3.6 net rating. Portland at home surrenders 118 points per 100 possessions with a -6.5 net rating. The Trailblazers core are in good health and they have covered 9 of 14 at home. Dallas on the road surrenders 116 points per game with 46% shooting and 39% from three. The Mavs are 1-4 to the spread as a road favorite of 3.6 to 9.5 points. Play Portland +4.5.
Sacramento Kings vs. LA Lakers NBA Pick Prediction 12/28/2024
Kings at Lakers Injuries
Carter is out with Sabonis questionable for Sacramento. Hood Schifino, Vanderbilt and Wood are out for LA. Davis, James, Hayes, Hachimura and Davis are questionable with Russell probable.
Recent Box Score Key Stats
Kings at Lakers 10:30PM ET—Sacramento fell to 13-18 following their 114-113 home defeat to Detroit. The Kings shot 48% with 36% from three. De’Aaron Fox had 26 points with six rebounds. Trey Lyles off the bench put up 20 points and eight rebounds. Sacramento allowed 42% shooting to the Pistons with 39% from three. LA improved to 17-13 after their 115-113 road win at Golden St. The Lakers hit 45% with 36% from three. Austin Reaves put up 26 points with a Triple Double. LeBron James posted 31 points with 10 assists. LA allowed 46% shooting to the Kings with 40% from three.
The Pick with the Explanation
LA at home is averaging 115.9 points per 100 possessions with a +2 net rating. Sacramento on the road is averaging 112.7 points per 100 possessions with a +2 net rating. The Kings fired their head coach prior to this game. Their form is poor over their past five games by shooting 44% with 33% from three and getting outscored by nine points per game failing to cover all. LA current form better as they hold opponents to 44.9% shooting with 34.9% from three and hitting 47% overall. LA is 6-1 to the spread against the Division. Play LA -2.
Free NBA Picks For Today 12/28/2024