There are just 3 games on the docket for the NBA schedule Sunday. The Rockets will take on the Raptors as they make a push for second in the West, the Pacers and Kings will do battle in Sacramento, and the Nuggets will face a struggling Pelicans squad.
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 Sunday, December 22.
NBA Best Bets Today, Predictions, Picks: Sunday, December 22
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 6 p.m. | |
| 6 p.m. | |
  | 7 p.m. | |
| 7 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. | ||
Rockets vs. Raptors
By Alex Hinton
Since winning three of four, the Toronto Raptors have lost their last six games. They did get Scottie Barnes back Thursday, but Immanuel Quickley remains out. Additionally, Jakob Poeltl will miss his second consecutive game, which will make dealing with Alperen Şengün a challenge.
Meanwhile, the Rockets are 18-9 and enter this matchup with the third-best record in the Western Conference. They have also been great against the spread this season at 17-10, but tonight's line has steadily increased. With the Raptors being 18-9-1 ATS being themselves, I'll be backing Jabari Smith Jr. with this player performance double.
Smith has made at least two 3s in nine of his last 10 games. He is shooting 36% on five attempts per game from behind the arc this season. Smith has also made two 3s in each of his last four games against the Raptors. Toronto is giving up 2.5 3s per game to power forwards this season. Smith typically gets many of his open looks in the corner. Either Şengün will kick out it to him when doubled in the post or former Raptor Fred VanVleet will set him up.
Smith is also a key factor in the Rockets having the third-best defensive rating on the road. They are also 7-3 against teams below .500 this season. As long as Smith makes two triples again, this should cash and we get better odds than just taking the Rockets to cover the spread.
Pick: Jabari Smith Jr. 2+ 3s/Rockets ML (+121)
| | | |
Rockets vs. Raptors
By Joe Dellera
The Raptors have a tough matchup against the Houston Rockets on Sunday. The Rockets have the third-best Adjusted Defensive Rating while playing at a league-average Pace.
Barnes relies heavily on his midrange game to score, a spot where the Rockets have the lowest shooting percentage allowed. They have plenty of long defensive options to throw at him, including Amen Thompson, who is smothering defensively.
Barnes is only hitting this line in 47% of games and has only done so once against the Rockets since 2022.
The Rockets outclass the Raptors and we have some chance at a blowout, which gives us an additional out. I’ll grab under 27.5 PA.
Pick: Scottie Barnes Under 27.5 Points + Assists
| | | |
Nuggets vs. Pelicans
Sometimes, you just have to bet an over on the best player in the league.
Nikola Jokić has reached this over in four of his last six. This is an especially big rebound spot, with all due respect to Pelicans starter Yves Missi, who is sneakily in the Rookie of the Year running. But Jokić has been able to have those big rebounding games often against teams like the Pelicans, who are either small or struggling or both.
The PRA is 50.5 if you want to add points, but I'm passing on it only because we've seen go him from 48 points to 16 to 20 to 34 in the last four — it's all over the place. Still, Jokić is Jokić, and this is a great spot for him in what should be a bounce-back effort after a bad loss in Portland three nights ago.
Pick: Nikola Jokić Over 20.5 Rebounds + Assists
| | | |
Nuggets vs. Pelicans
The Nuggets came out of the NBA Cup break with a stinging loss at Portland and have had to stew for a few days before getting a chance to rinse that taste from their mouths.
The Pelicans provide a perfect opportunity for quick redemption — and remember how Denver blew out the Hawks 141-11 after their previous humbling loss (at Washington)? The Pelicans are no sure thing to exceed the losing ways of the nine-win Sixers of 1972-73, dropping another last night to the Knicks, marking their 15th loss in 16 games. The last three losses have been by double digits, and there is still no sign of Brandon Ingram or Zion Williamson.
We suspect no chance the Nuggets overlook the Pelicans, either, after losing in their last visit to Smoothie King Center by seven on Nov. 15, when Ingram (who scored 29) was available and Jokić wasn't.
Pick: Nuggets -9.5
| | | |
