Thursday's NBA schedule includes eight games and plenty of betting value, and our NBA analysts from the 'Buckets" podcast have a trio of bets worth recommending.
Be sure to subscribe to "Buckets" for NBA picks throughout the week. You can listen to the latest episode below and read their NBA picks and predictions for Thursday, December 21.
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 8 p.m. | Thunder -4 |
  | 8 p.m. | Grizzlies +1H -2.5 |
  | 8 p.m. | Magic +8 |
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Thunder -4 vs. Clippers
8 p.m. ET ⋅ NBA League Pass
By Sean Little
I am taking the Thunder at home over the red-hot Clippers. The Clippers are on a nine-game winning streak so it is time to fade them. The Thunder are 14-6-1 against the spread this season and 7-4 at home. They are a good team on both sides of the ball and I think they can hold James Harden down.
The Thunder have the rest advantage, and the Clippers will play their third game in the last four nights. I think this might be a scheduled loss for L.A.
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Grizzlies +1H -2.5 vs. Pacers
8 p.m. ET ⋅ NBA League Pass
The Pacers took care of business against the Hornets as we expected. This is a combination of Memphis at home and the Pacers on a back-to-back. In years past, the Grizzlies have consistently been one of the best home teams in the NBA. This season they are just 1-11 straight-up at home.
Of course, those 12 games were without Ja Morant. In his home debut, I think he is going to have this Grizzlies team running and keeping up with the Pacers, who are on a back-to-back. I think this is a big opportunity for Desmond Bane to get some open looks and go off.
The reason I am taking first half as opposed to full game is because Ja Morant still has to get his legs under him.
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Magic +8 at Bucks
8 p.m. ET ⋅ NBA League Pass
By Jay Money
I think the Magic come to play in this one. They have beaten the Bucks once already this year, albeit without Damian Lillard. The Bucks have been hot so here is the spot to fade them.
They just got destroyed by the Heat, and the Bucks have been a long homestand. This is their last game before a long road trip, including an away game on Christmas. This is a great sell-high spot with Milwaukee.
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