NBA Best Bets Today | Expert Picks for Saturday
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 7 p.m. | |
  | 8 p.m. | |
  | 8 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. | ||
The NBA has a loaded slate of action on Saturday, Dec. 30, as teams look to secure results ahead of the New Year.
Our experts have found their favorite bets for the slate of games. For their NBA best bets today and expert picks for Saturday, read on below.
Knicks vs. Pacers
By Joe Dellera
The Knicks are in a tough schedule spot tonight against the Indiana Pacers, but it’s an excellent matchup for Julius Randle.
Recently, Randle has leaned in to the fact he’s one of the biggest and strongest interior players in the league. He’s attacking the basket and also snatching rebounds.
This is a matchup he thrived in last year when these teams met. He racked up 14 and 16 rebounds in two contests and that was while playing alongside Mitchell Robinson who will not be active for this game. The Pacers play at one of the fastest Paces in the league so this will serve as a Pace Up spot for the Knicks and Randle should have even more opportunities to grab rebounds.
Pick: Julius Randle Over 9.5 Rebounds
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Lakers vs. Timberwolves
By Joe Dellera
It’s the King’s birthday and he should ball out against the Wolves tonight. James is averaging 27.2 ppg with AD on the road this season. The team is better and it opens up more options for him offensively when they share the floor.
James has played nine games on his birthday and he is averaging 33.7 ppg throughout his career. The only game he scored fewer than 26 points was 20 years ago (22 – ‘03) while in recent years he has dropped 47 (‘22), 26 (‘20), and 29 (‘17).
Jaden McDaniels is an elite defender that may get thrown at LeBron; however, LeBron has a significant size advantage against him.
He gets up for these games and I like him to go over 25.5 points here.
Pick: LeBron James Over 25.5 Points
| | |
76ers vs. Bulls
By Chris Baker
This is still a good team without Joel Embiid as the 76ers are actually only +5.4 points better with Embiid on the court versus him off the floor. With Embiid off the court, the 76ers are +7.5 and their current starting lineup actually as an offensive rating of 140.2 across 112 possessions.
The Bulls are just 23rd in adjusted net-rating (-2.5) on the year and they are trending down as they will now be without Vucevic for 7-10 days. This team is allocating too many minutes to guys who are not proven NBA contributors and I just think there is no way this line should be anything more than pick 'em. Maybe the books are expecting some 76ers to rest but if everyone is good to go I will be backing the 76ers as underdogs here.
