NBA Best Bets | Friday, Dec. 29
The NBA regular season continues with a solid 10-game slate on Friday, December 29. Our betting experts have analyzed the odds and found their best bets for four of tonight's matchups.
Find their NBA best bets and predictions below, including picks for Nets vs. Wizards, Bucks vs. Cavaliers, Kings vs. Hawks and Thunder vs. Nuggets.
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 7:00 p.m. | |
  | 7:30 p.m. | |
  | 7:30 p.m | |
  | 9:00 p.m | |
Specific betting recommendations come from the sportsbook offering preferred odds as of writing. Always shop for the best price using our NBA Odds page, which automatically surfaces the best lines for every game. | ||
Nets vs. Wizards
By Joe Dellera
The Nets should be well rested for this contest against Washington after their load management debacle against the Bucks on Wednesday night.
One player that should thrive in this matchup is Nic Claxton. He's the Nets' defensive anchor and has been dynamic on that side of the ball.
This season, Claxton is averaging 2.5 Blocks and 0.4 Steals per game and now gets a game against the Wizards who have allowed their opponents to rack up the eighth-most steals and 12th-most blocks this season.
Claxton has exceeded this 2.5 blocks (+140 DK) line in 57% of games and the 2.5 steals + blocks (-145 DK) line in 71% of games. He should have no difficulty hitting either but I'll split my wager between the two categories in this instance.
Pick: Nic Claxton Over 2.5 Steals + Blocks
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Bucks vs. Cavaliers
By Joe Dellera
This is an absolute smash spot for Mitchell as long as he can suit up tonight. The Bucks' best hope of stopping him is if he is unable to play due to the illness that has sidelined him for the last four games.
Mitchell has played six games without Darius Garland over the last two seasons and has averaged 32 points while exceeding 29.5 in 4/6. He sees a clear usage uptick, and without Mobley, the paint should be a bit more open for him to attack this Bucks' drop defense.
Additionally, the Bucks have allowed opposing guards to eviscerate them surrendering monster performances to Jalen Brunson, Trae Young, and Kyrie Irving to name a few.
As long as Mitchell suits up tonight he should torch this line – I like him to go over 29.5 Points.
Pick: Donovan Mitchell Over 29.5 Points
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Kings vs. Hawks
By Joe Dellera
The Kings head to Atlanta for a showdown against the Hawks. This game is going to be a blitzkrieg. Both teams are top 10 in pace (Kings 10th, Hawks 4th) and neither team is good defensively (Kings 22nd, Hawks 27th). This sets up for a flurry of points.
Domantas Sabonis is a key cog for the Sacramento Kings' offense and has averaged 7.1 assists per game on 12.7 potential assists, per NBA Advanced Stats. He is leading the team in assists, potentials, and passes as a whole.
The majority of Sabonis' passes are between himself and De'Aaron Fox and their two-man game is one of the league's best. Tonight sets up for a monster scoring night for Fox against this Hawks' defense which has been torched by score-first point guards.
We should see an uptick between Sabonis to Fox along with the well-rounded dishing he has on a nightly basis to the rest of the Kings' wings. I like Sabonis to go over 7.5 assists tonight.
Pick: Domantas Sabonis Over 7.5 Assists
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Thunder vs. Nuggets
By Joe Dellera
Michael Porter Jr has once again been a killer from distance this season shooting 39.8% from deep. He gets a matchup tonight against the Oklahoma City Thunder, a team he has roasted over the last two seasons.
MPJ has knocked down three or more 3-pointers in all four matchups against OKC and he hit four-plus in three of those contests. Plus, his home/road splits are significant. He is shooting 41.8% from long range at home this season and averaging 3.1 made 3-pointers per game, both upticks compared to when he’s on the road.
From a matchup perspective this is solid as well. OKC allows the third-highest frequency of 3-point attempts in the league and the fifth-most makes per game, per Basketball Reference.
I like MPJ to drain three or more 3s tonight.
Pick: Michael Porter Jr. Over 2.5 3-Pointers Made
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