Top NBA Odds, Picks & Predictions: Thursday (12/15)
Here are our best NBA bets of the night for Thursday, December 15.
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
- NBA Player Prop Bet Rankings, Odds, Picks & Predictions
- NBA Same Game Parlay Odds, Picks & Predictions
- Top NBA First Basket Betting Odds, Picks & Predictions
- Best NBA Player Prop Bet Odds, Picks & Predictions
New Orleans Pelicans @ Utah Jazz (+2 | O/U: 231)
It’s deja vu, as the Pelicans and Jazz face off in a rematch from Tuesday night. The Jazz got the better of New Orleans in the previous matchup, winning 121-100, and though this result is not necessarily indicative of the rank between these two teams, the game’s context offers plenty of information as to how to bet tonight’s matchup.
It is dumbfounding that this spread is the same as it was two nights ago. The Pelicans were thoroughly outplayed by the Jazz and will be without Jose Alvarado in tonight’s bout. As constructed, the Pelicans may be one of the NBA’s best teams, but it is egregious for the line to open at the same number.
Utah is a pretty good team, especially with Mike Conley back in the lineup. Oddsmakers are taking advantage of the Pelicans’ hype with this number, and there is no reason not to back Utah once again.
Bet: Jazz +2 (-110)
Miami Heat @ Houston Rockets (+5 | O/U: 219)
The Miami Heat have been as frustrating as any team in the NBA this season, and their reputation has consistently inflated their lines to a point of detriment. This season, the Heat are:
- 14-15 SU
- 5-9 SU on the Road
- 9-18-1 ATS
- 5-13-1 ATS as a Favorite
- 2-6 ATS with a Rest Disadvantage
- 1-4 ATS with No Rest
Those betting on Miami have been betting on their esteem and have been losing quite a lot. There is no comfort in backing this team, especially one day after a contentious 110-108 victory over the Thunder. We are fast approaching the point where we need to worry about the Heat, and we may reach the boiling point tonight.
For those paying attention, the upstart Rockets have been playing excellent basketball of late. Houston has won and covered five straight at home, with their previous two victories being over the 2020-2021 NBA finalists, Milwaukee and Phoenix. Too, the advanced metrics back it up. Houston’s Net Rating at home is among the best of the league over their past five games, and the numbers suggest they’ve been the better team outright.
Bet: Rockets +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.