In anticipation of tomorrow's Emirates Cup Finals, the NBA regular season resumes with a relatively light slate this Monday, with less than half the league in action via 6 matchups on the docket for today. However, our staff of basketball experts still dug into the latest odds and identified all the best betting value on the board for tonight's contests.
Our betting experts have looked over the odds and made 4 NBA picks for today's matchups. Continue below for our NBA best bets and predictions for Monday, December 16.
NBA Best Bets, Predictions, Picks: Monday, December 16
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 7 p.m. | |
  | 7 p.m. | |
| 7 p.m. | |
  | 7:30 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. | ||
Heat vs. Pistons
I played Isaiah Stewart over 11.5 points + boards at -111 late Sunday night. But I also like this prop at 12.5, and would probably like it at 13.5 as well.
Stewart had 2 points and 15 rebounds, and 13 points and 10 rebounds in two games against Miami this year. He has only gone over this number over in one of his last five, but this is matchup specific, along with playing time consideration.
Beef Stew is seeing his minutes increase to an average of 22 over his last 10 games, and it's no coincidence that two of his four 10-rebound games have been against Miami, who allow the fourth-most rebounds per 100 possessions.
Jalen Duren is a riskier play, given that he has dropped to 21.6 minutes per game over his last six outings, and has had several instances where he's flat out been shelved by JB Bickerstaff.
I like Stewart coming off the bench here, given the minutes and how he produces against Miami's second unit.
Pick: Isaiah Stewart Over 11.5 Points + Rebounds (-135)
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76ers vs. Hornets
By Joe Dellera
LaMelo Ball has a chance to return Monday against the Philadelphia 76ers, and while he may be on a minutes limit to some degree, this line is too tempting to ignore.
LaMelo is averaging 4.7 made three-pointers on 13.1 attempts and 34 minutes per game. While he may see his minutes ceiling capped, whenever players have these lower body injuries, if they aren't feeling 100% confident in their return, they'll often resort to taking even more long range attempts, as it tends to be lower impact and less explosiveness is needed.
LaMelo made 6/18 against Philly back in November, so it's a great matchup for him. Philly allows the seventh-highest frequency of above the break three-pointers and that's where LaMelo tends to bomb from.
LaMelo has hit this line in 78% of games this season, so even though it's a return from injury, I'll absolutely bite.
Pick: LaMelo Ball 4+ Three-Pointers (-103)
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Heat vs. Pistons
I am backing the Detroit Pistons here as home underdogs on the moneyline. They are going up against the Miami Heat who they recently played in an NBA Cup setting and beat them at home.
Cade Cunningham has really developed into an All-Star caliber player, running the show for Detroit at nearly a triple-double pace.
The Pistons have recently gone up against stiff competition in the Celtics and Knicks. So, the Pistons should be plenty battle-tested at home against Miami tonight.
Pick: Pistons Moneyline (+166)
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Bulls vs. Raptors
By Nick Parsons
I'm expecting these Eastern-Conference opponents to push the pace and for this total to fly well over the number tonight. I love nothing more than a great situational spot, and that is exactly what we have here.
Chicago is 11-15 and it just broke a 2-game slide with a 109-95 win over Charlotte. The Bulls have seen the total go under in three straight, but that's significant to note, as Chicago has in fact seen the total eclipse the posted number in eight of its last 11 after playing to three straight unders or more.
With a tough back-to-back series against the Celtics on the horizon, this winnable contest north of the border may take on added-importance for the Bulls on Monday night.
Toronto is 7-19, and after four straight losses, including a 114-104 setback at Miami most recently. Everything points to Toronto being the aggressor in this one, coming off three days of rest.
Taking into account all of these situational factors, I'm rolling with the over in this one all day long.
Pick: Over 239.5 (-120)
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