Top NBA Odds, Picks & Predictions: Thursday (12/21)
It’s another Thursday night in the National Basketball Association, and we have eight games on tap, including a nationally televised game between the Los Angeles Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves on NBA TV. Six of the eight games tip off at 8 p.m. ET or later.
Let’s get started with today’s NBA best bets.
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Thursday’s Best NBA Bets
Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook | All wagers are for 1 unit
Utah Jazz at Detroit Pistons
The Jazz (10-18) and the Pistons (2-25) meet at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Thursday. The Jazz take the short jump across Lake Erie after playing in Cleveland on Wednesday night. The Jazz were on the short end of a 124-116 score as a 3.5-point underdog, while cashing the Over (226).
Utah has managed to win just four of the past 11 games overall, and the Jazz have covered just three times in their past eight outings, including 1-4 against the spread (ATS) in the previous five outings on the road.
The Pistons are in the midst of a 24-game losing streak dating back to Oct. 30. Detroit actually started the season 2-1, while covering each of the first three contests. The Pistons are just two losses short of matching the longest losing streak in a single season, as the Cavs lost 26 in a row during the 2010-11 season. The Philadelphia 76ers own the longest streak of consecutive losses at 28, but that came across the 2014-15 and 2015-16 seasons.
Detroit is getting closer, as it fell 130-124 as an 11.5-point underdog against the Atlanta Hawks for the first cover since Dec. 2. The Pistons are still 1-6 ATS in the past seven outings. Detroit is just 1-7 ATS in eight games against Western Conference teams this season, too. I believe the Pistons are going to halt this skid, and the books are feeling it, too, with Utah just a 2-point favorite. The Jazz are just 2-2 ATS in four games when playing on no rest. Bank on the Pistons to get the job done.
Bets: Pistons Moneyline (+110)
San Antonio Spurs at Chicago Bulls
The Spurs (4-22) and the Bulls (12-17) square off at United Center in Chicago, and it’s the second meeting between these teams since Dec. 8. Chicago posted a 121-112 win in San Antonio as a 2-point favorite while the Over (224.5) connected.
The Bulls have won two in a row, and three of the past four games overall, and Chicago has been cover kings lately. The Bulls have covered four straight, and nine of the past 10 games overall, including each of the past two games as a favorite. Chicago is 4-2 ATS in the past six games as a favorite.
The Spurs suffered a 132-119 setback in Milwaukee against the Bucks, while still cashing as a 16.5-point underdog. San Antonio is also 3-1 ATS in the past four contests. Like the Pistons, the Spurs have endured a lengthy losing streak, dropping 18 in a row before topping the Los Angeles Lakers on Dec. 15.
Chicago crushed San Antonio two weeks ago in Texas, and it should get the job done again at United Center on Thursday.
Bet: Bulls -4.5 (-106)
Orlando Magic at Milwaukee Bucks
The Magic (16-10) take on the Bucks (20-7), and Orlando faces a quick turnaround after facing the Miami Heat in O-Town on Wednesday night. The Magic were on the short end of a 115-106 loss as a 5.5-point favorite. Orlando has lost and failed to cover the past three games, and the Magic are averaging just 101.5 PPG in the past two outings.
The Bucks posted a 132-119 win against the Spurs on Tuesday, just missing a cover as a 16.5-point favorite. Milwaukee has still won five in a row while covering three of the past four outings. At home, the Bucks have cashed in five of the past seven games at Fiserv Forum, too.
These teams faced each other on Nov. 11 in Orlando, with the Magic picking up a 112-97 win as a 2.5-point underdog as the Under (227) cashed. Milwaukee has won 14 of the past 15 meetings dating back to Feb. 9, 2019. Look for the Bucks to maintain their mastery and get a win against the Magic, who are suddenly skidding again.
Bet: Bucks -8 (-110)
Make sure to check out our other best bets for Thursday:
- NFL Thursday Night Football Same Game Parlay
- Top 4 Picks for NFL Thursday Night Football
- NBA First Basket Scorer Odds, Picks & Predictions
- College Basketball Odds, Picks & Predictions
- Top NHL Odds, Picks, & Predictions
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Cameron Lynch is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Cameron, check out his archive and follow him @captron26.