NBA Odds, Picks & Predictions: Saturday (12/20)
We have a big 10-game NBA slate today. Below are our top NBA picks & predictions for Saturday, December 20th.
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Saturday's NBA Best Bets & Picks
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Houston Rockets (-1.5) at Denver Nuggets | O/U 235.5 (-112/-108)
The Nuggets are showing off their depth. Despite having a few key players out of the lineup, they are still winning. Aaron Gordon and Christian Braun have been out for a month, but this team continues to roll, with a 10-3 record since November 24th, including six consecutive wins.
As long as Nikola Jokic is on the court, they are a contender. He continually posts cheat code stats and should once again be in the MVP conversation, as he leads the league in rebounds (12.3) and assists (10.9) per game, while ranking fifth in points per game (29.6).
Offensively, the Rockets were below average last season, ranking 17th in points per game (113.5), but they have improved significantly, ranking third this season (121.1). The addition of Kevin Durant improved the offense without sacrificing defense, as they are fifth in defensive efficiency (1.092).
Both matchups this season have been close, but the Nuggets have come out on top each time. The Rockets have struggled to contain Denver's transition offense and their ability to spread the ball. Interestingly, the Nuggets are the underdogs at home, but that means we get favorable odds to back them to win.
Pick: Nuggets Moneyline (+100)
Los Angeles Lakers (-1.5) at Los Angeles Clippers | O/U 230.5 (-105/-115)
The Lakers are establishing themselves as one of the top teams in the Western Conference. They are just 4-3 in their last seven, but they preceded that with a seven-game winning streak. They will, unfortunately, be without Austin Reaves, who is second in points on the team. Luka Doncic has made up for Reaves' recent absence and is coming off a 45-point performance against Utah.
The Clippers are a sinking ship, and it's going down fast. October 24-26 was the last time they won consecutive games. One of their problems is the fragile state of this lineup, as several key players have missed time throughout the season, including Kawhi Leonard and Derrick Jones Jr., and they lost Bradley Beal for the season. It might have impacted their offense, as they have been among the league’s worst, ranking 28th in points per game (110.9).
The Lakers should be giving a bigger number, but this is another opportunity to take advantage of favorable odds.
Pick: Lakers -1.5 (-108)