The NBA season continues on Thursday with eight games, and you'd better believe our NBA analysts are all over the action, with plenty of NBA picks and predictions.
On today's episode of the BUCKETS podcast, our analysts give out five picks, including two on Pistons vs. Celtics, and one each on Jazz vs. Pelicans, Heat vs. Warriors and Hornets vs. Lakers.
Listen to the latest episode and read their picks below.
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 7:30 p.m. | Pistons +17 |
| 7:30 p.m. | Over 231.5 |
  | 8 p.m. | Pelicans 1H -4.5 |
  | 10 p.m. | Warriors 1H -1.5 |
  | 10:30 p.m. | Lakers 1H -7 |
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Pistons +17 at Celtics
7:30 p.m. ET ⋅ NBA TV
By Jay Money
We know that the Celtics could be laying 24 points in this one, so the line tells us a lot. I am not expecting the Celtics to trot out everybody, especially after Jaylen Brown fell on his back against the Lakers.
I can't believe this is a national TV game. The Pistons have been playing scrappy of late and Jalen Duren is back in the lineup tonight. While Isaiah Stewart's absence will be impactful, I think Duren is the better of the two. It isn't as much a bet on the Pistons as it is a fade of the Celtics.
The Celtics are returning from a four-game western road trip and flying back to the east coast, and I think they may be a little groggy. This is a horrible spot to be the home team after that.
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Over 231.5 vs. Pistons
7:30 p.m. ET ⋅ NBA TV
By Sean Little
I agree with a lot of Jay's comments on the Celtics after the road trip. I think 27-straight losses obviously wares on them and they have been playing much better of late. They just have been so bad down the stretch. This is a great spot to catch the Boston Celtics to keep this game close.
I think the Pistons will be aggressive offensively and it's a good spot for the Celtics to easily score against a poor Pistons defense. They are +10.1 on the net rating. Jrue Holiday is coming off his first 20-point game of the season and they are an offensive wagon.
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Pelicans +1H -4.5 vs. Jazz
8 p.m. ET ⋅ NBA League Pass
This is a bet for and against both teams.
The Utah Jazz are coming off a good stretch on a five-game road trip. This is the last game of the trip with Christmas in the middle, so they have been on the road for a long time. The Jazz have lost their last 23 road games against teams with a winning record.
The Pelicans dominated against the Grizzlies and blew a tire up 20 points. I think it is a bounce-back spot for New Orleans. I am taking the first half because sometimes the end of games can be unpredictable. The Pelicans have won 11-straight home first halves.
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Warriors 1H -1.5 vs. Heat
10 p.m. ET ⋅ NBA TV
I usually don't like short home favorites.
The Heat had a nice win in Miami on Christmas day and have won three straight. They face a Warriors team that lost on Christmas. I think this is a huge bounce-back spot for a Warriors team that has played much better of late without Draymond Green.
I think the Warriors are a more dynamic team with him out, and I think they are going to come out fired up. I expect a better offensive performance early in this matchup.
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Lakers 1H -7 vs. Hornets
10:30 p.m. ET ⋅ NBA League Pass
Have you seen the trend yet?
I am backing teams that are coming off a loss on Christmas and are playing at home against a team who is traveling long distances or on a road trip. The Hornets have lost nine straight and have been in L.A. for three nights.
I think LeBron James comes out early after only having 18 points on Christmas. I think this game is going to be a total blowout, so that's why I am taking the first half once again.
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