Top NBA Best Bets Odds, Picks & Predictions: Tuesday (12/27)
Usually, on Tuesdays, we’re hit with a minimal amount of games. But because of the holiday weekend, today’s slate is loaded with 10 games.
I’ve got a couple of bets that I’ll be hammering today. Which ones will you join me on?
- NBA Player Prop Bet Rankings Odds, Picks & Predictions
- NBA Player Prop Bet Odds, Picks & Predictions
- First Basket Scorer Prop Bet Odds, Picks & Predictions
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Top NBA Betting Odds, Picks & Predictions: Tuesday (12/27)
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Orlando Magic
The Orlando Magic have 13 wins on the season. That’s as many as the Los Angeles Lakers. But the Magic are still in rebuild mode while the Lakers are looking to sneak into the playoffs with LeBron James on their roster.
Orlando has been very hot, while the Lakers have been extremely cold. The defense has lacked, allowing at least 124 points in each of their last four games. But the Magic don’t have a consistent offense. Orlando has scored just 111.4 points per 100 possessions while shooting an effective field goal percentage of 53.3%.
Orlando has also turned the ball over 16.2% of the time. The Magic have earned 27.5% of offensive rebounds and continue to get to the foul line at a high rate. However, the Lakers have held teams to 26.5% of offensive rebounds and have been the best team defensively at keeping teams off the foul line.
The Lakers should end up winning the turnover battle, and while Los Angeles won’t dominate the offensive glass, they’ve got a better effective field goal percentage and should end up with more foul shot attempts.
Take the Lakers at +4. If Los Angeles is going to make a run at the playoffs, they have to win these games.
Bet: Lakers +4 (-110)
Philadelphia 76ers vs. Washington Wizards
The Philadelphia 76ers are one of the hottest teams in the NBA. They took care of the Knicks on Christmas Day on the road and will soon get back Tyrese Maxey. However, he won’t be playing in this game.
Either way, the 76ers will be careful with the ball and limit turnovers against a Washington team that has only earned 12.7% of turnovers this season. Philadelphia is one of the best teams at getting to the foul line and should see it at a solid rate against Washington. The 76ers won’t dominate the glass and could have trouble getting up-quality looks.
This year, Washington has held opponents to a 53.5% effective field goal percentage. Washington’s defense could hold up, but its offense probably won’t. The 76ers are top-five in points per 100 possessions, effective field goal percentage and turnover percentage on the defensive end. That doesn’t bode well for the Wizards, who have only earned 112.7 points per 100 possessions this year. That rate is good for 17th in the NBA. Also, Washington isn’t aggressive on the offensive glass and won’t see the foul line very often.
Back Philadelphia on the road against the spread.
Bet: 76ers -4.5 (-110)
Go premium to view top prop bets based on Cover Probability, Expected Value & Star Rating >>
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | RadioPublic | Breaker | Castbox | Pocket Casts
Whether you’re new to sports betting or a betting pro, our How To Bet and Sports Betting Strategy and Advice pages are for you. You can get started with our How To Section — including How to Avoid the 7 Biggest Sports Betting Mistakes — or head to a more advanced strategy — like Thinking Like an Expert Sports Bettor — to learn more.