The 2020-21 NBA season is finally here - and we have a pair of marquee matchups to kick off the new campaign, including Kevin Durant facing his former team as a member of the re-tooled Brooklyn Nets and the defending-champion L.A. Lakers renewing their feud with the Clippers.
Here are the top NBA betting plays for Tuesday, December 22, provided by BettingPros experts James Bisson, Raju Byfield, Isaiah Sirois and Vaughn Dalzell (Main game odds courtesy BettingPros Consensus; lock and prop odds sites may vary):
Check out our daily NBA consensus game odds here >>
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Betting Locks of the Day
Bisson: Warriors-Nets Over 231.5 (-110 at FD Sportsbook)
This total (almost) can’t be high enough, with both teams looking to run the other right out of the arena. The Warriors aren’t exactly the same caliber of those Golden State title-winning teams, but anytime you have Steph Curry running the point, you can be sure there will be points a-plenty. And the Nets are more than ready to match baskets in this one, with a motivated Durant surrounded by an incredible amount of scoring talent. Get your popcorn: this should be a fun one.
Byfield: Lakers -3.5 (-110 at FD Sportsbook)
There is going to be an adjustment period for the Los Angeles Clippers, and while I do think that they will be a much better team as the season progresses versus what they were last year, expecting them to take down, or remain within three points of the Lakers in their first regular season game since their makeover may be pushing it. Los Angeles Lakers would be the play all the way up to -4.5.
Sirois: Nets -7.5 (-110 at FD Sportsbook)
The Nets looked fantastic during the preseason. They topped the Celtics by 24 in their final game, as Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant combined for an impressive 42 points. The duo should start the season off hot. In contrast, the Warriors will have to lean on Steph Curry, as Klay Thompson will miss the season and Draymond Green is doubtful with a foot injury. Expect the Nets to outscore the Warriors by a wide margin on Opening Night.
Dalzell: Clippers-Lakers Under 220.5 (-110 on DK Sportsbook)
This matchup should be a tight contest, but the additions of Montrezl Harrell and Dennis Schroder tend me to lean Lakers. If this spread were +4.5 or +5, the Clippers would be the move, but this line is just about where it should be. The Clippers will lean on newcomers Nicolas Batum, Serge Ibaka, and Luke Kennard in addition to Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. Marcus Morris Sr.’s absence leaves a hole at the power forward position that could gift the Lakers a significant advantage with Anthony Davis, Harrell, Marc Gasol, and Markieff Morris. The Clippers are 7-0 ATS in the last 7 meetings when they are the road team, so I’ll take a flyer on the under, something they did all four times they met last season. Points could be hard to come by in stretches and there’s motivation on both sides to come out with a win. The Lakers ring ceremony is tonight and the Clippers have an embarrassing exit in the postseason on their minds.
Best Team Prop Betting Picks
Bisson: Nets Over 119.5 (-114 at FD Sportsbook)
You’ll notice a theme among my opening night picks: there’s a lot to love about the 2020-21 edition of the Nets. Durant and Irving are a devastating 1-2 punch, while the Nets will also be able to rely on players like Taurean Prince, Caris LeVert and Spencer Dinwiddie to provide plenty of secondary scoring. We have no idea what kind of defensive identity the Warriors will have this season, but you know it’ll take time to jell - and that should work in the Nets’ favor Tuesday.
Byfield: Warriors Under 111.5 (-118 at FD Sportsbook)
While I expect Stephen Curry to be in midseason form against the Nets, he will be playing extended minutes with more than a few new parts trying to find their way in the new look Warriors lineup. Draymond Green will be sidelined, hurting potential ball movement and leaving a potential hole at the power forward position. At this early juncture of the season the Warriors are still more a collection of talent than they are a team. They will get there, I love the additions of James Wiseman and Kelly Oubre Jr., but the Warriors are going to struggle to do their part to push this game to the over, and will fail to hit their team total.
Sirois: Nets First Quarter -2.5 (-110 on FD Sportsbook)
The Nets started each of their preseason games off hot. They went up by 12 in the first quarter against the Celtics and by 18 against the Wizards, averaging 36.5 first-quarter points in the process. In contrast, the Warriors averaged 29 first-quarter points. That's not bad, but it won't be enough to keep up against Brooklyn's offense.
Dalzell: Nets-Warriors First Quarter Over 59.5 (-109 on DK Sportsbook)
Both of these teams will want to score out of the gate, and who’s to say, Steph Curry, Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant all can’t combine for 25 of the 60 needed to win this. In the preseason, Brooklyn led the league with 36.5 points per game in the first quarter, and Golden State was 9th with 29.0 per game. No, Draymond Green makes life simpler on Brooklyn’s scorers, and Golden State’s Kelly Oubre and Andrew Wiggins aren’t elite wing defenders either, but threatening scorers alongside Curry. I like this game to start quickly before the teams settle in defensively.
Best Player Prop Betting Picks
Bisson: Player Points - Kevin Durant Over Kyrie Irving (-170 on FD Sportsbook)
This might be the only time all season you’ll see Durant at such charitable odds in a score-off against Irving. While Kyrie can fill the bucket when he needs to, the presence of Durant negates that demand significantly - and with the four-time scoring champion eager to impress in his first on-court action since the 2019 NBA Finals, you can bet that Durant will score with emphasis against his former team.
Byfield: Marc Gasol Over 5.5 Points (+102 on FD Sportsbook)
Marc Gasol should see 26-32 minutes on opening night. He should see enough shots to hit a measly six points, which is all we need for the over here. Gasol will not be someone to chase going forward, but on a day where only two teams are in action and bettors want to take in regualr season action before gleaning leans for future games, Gasol and LeBron assists over standout the most as values. Gasol will likely be closer to 26-28 minutes for most of the season, but I expect his minutes to expand when the Lakers take on top teams. He will be pass first and second, but will be left open enough to drain a few baskets.
Sirois: Stephen Curry Under 6.5 Assists (-128 on FD Sportsbook)
Curry never topped four assists in his three preseason games. Sure, his career average of 6.6 points to value on the over, but Golden State is no longer the offensive powerhouse it once was. If Curry passes, who can the Warriors trust to score? Further, Curry's rate of assists per game has been trending down of late: he's averaged just 5.3 assists per game since 2018, well below this line. The Nets may not be a great defensive team, but I just don't see how Curry clears this total without Thompson and Green.
Dalzell: Paul George Over 21.5 Points (-134 on DK Sportsbook)
Paul George scored 18, 30, and 31 points in three games versus their cross-town rivals (Lakers) last season, hitting the over two out of three times. In the previous two meetings, George topped 30 in both and went 20/33 (60.60%) from the field and 9/18 from three-point land (50%). He finished the 2019-20 season with 26.0 points per game average versus the Lakers. George also scored 33 points in the 2019-20 season opener, 27 points in 2018-19, 28 points in 2017-18, and 25 points in 2016-17. He's gone over this total in his last three regular-season opening games, and with extra motivation and it being a rivalry game, why not make it four in a row for George?
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