The NBA regular season rolls on with another relatively light slate this New Year's Eve, with a total of only 6 matchups on the docket scheduled 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 Tuesday, December 31.
NBA Best Bets Today, Predictions, Picks, Odds: Tuesday, Dec. 31
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 3 p.m. | |
  | 3 p.m. | |
  | 7 p.m. | |
  | 9 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. | ||
Bucks vs. Pacers
Andrew Nembhard is coming around to where I thought he'd be this season.
He was sidelined with an injury, so his progress was delayed, but the jump is being made — he's gone over 13.5 points (and scored 15 or more) in five of his last six games.
He's averaging north of 17 points, five assists and four rebounds during this stretch while shooting 54/44/92 splits.
Nembhard won't keep up this pace forever, but he showcased some of this ability during the Pacers run to the Eastern Conference Finals last year, and has a favorable matchup against Milwaukee today, who allow the sixth-most three-pointers per 100 possessions.
Pick: Andrew Nembhard Over 13.5 Points (-105)
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Raptors vs. Celtics
By Nick Parsons
These teams have been involved in several higher-scoring games of late, but I'm anticipating a much lower-scoring defensive battle here finally on Tuesday afternoon.
Toronto is just 7-25 and it's seen the total go Over in five straight now after its most recent 136-107 home loss to Atlanta.
However, that's significant to note, as the Raptors have in fact seen the total dip Under the number in four of their last five after playing to five or more straight Overs in a row.
Toronto lost to the Celtics by a score of 126-123 in overtime back in mid-November, but Boston enters 23-9 now after its most recent 123-114 home loss to the Pacers.
The Celtics have seen the total go Over in three straight, but note that looking back, Boston has seen the total go Under in seven of its last 10 games after playing to three or more straight OVERs in a row.
Look for the rematch here to be a lot less efficient on the offensive end. This number is high, I'll take the Under.
Pick: Under 234.5 (-110)
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Clippers vs. Spurs
The Spurs take on the Clippers at home and catch Los Angeles in a tough schedule spot.
The Clippers have the second night of a back to back after having a physical and pace-up matchup against the Pelicans.
The Spurs are the early market side, and I agree with it here, thinking this line closes close around Spurs -4.5.
I also like the Under, as the Clippers are one of the slowest paced teams in the NBA, and the Spurs are amongst the teams who most frequently hold opponents under 100 points. Play the side to -4, play the under to 216.5
Pick: Spurs -3.5 (-120)
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Cavaliers vs. Lakers
By Joe Dellera
LeBron plays the Cavs in his first game in his 40s, and while I expect him to be aggressive as he always is when playing his hometown team, this often translates to some extra mistakes as well.
When LeBron has played the Cavs, he has logged 4, 5, and 6 turnovers the last two seasons.
Now, the Lakers are down one creator with the trade of D’Angelo Russell. This season, when DLo is off the floor, LeBron was tracking for 5.8 turnovers per 100 possessions compared to 4.8 per 100 with Russell on the floor, per PBP Stats.
He needs to take more responsibility, not only as a facilitator, but as a self-creator and this naturally leads to more turnovers.
LeBron’s turnover line is set at 3.5, a number he has exceeded in 61% of games this season while averaging 3.9.
Given the slightly modified role, and the fact that Cleveland generates the sixth-most turnovers per game, I’ll grab over 3.5 turnovers here for LeBron.
Pick: LeBron James Over 3.5 Turnovers (-145)
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