NBA gambling predictions for December 12th are limited due to the small slate of games on tap. With only four games scheduled for tonight, getting the best NBA gambling advice and picking the proper games will be vital to turning a profit. Betting is becoming larger each year it seems and is even being legalized in many states. Even sports betting in Pennsylvania has been legal since 2017.
NBA Gambling Predictions
Philadelphia 76ers @ Boston Celtics (-1)
The featured matchup tonight pits the Philadelphia 76ers against the Boston Celtics. These two Eastern Conference heavyweights have only met once so far on the season, on opening night, with the 76ers earning a home victory, 107-93.
The matchup isn’t ideal for Boston. Not only did Al Horford, who defended Joel Embiid extremely well last season, leave town, he even left for the 76ers. Boston will have to rely upon Daniel Theis and his solid defensive rating of 100 to slow down Embiid. Theis is extremely undersized, however, as he is listed at 6’8” and 215 pounds per Basketball-Reference.
Embiid was in foul trouble in the first contest and only played 23 minutes. Despite the limited playing time, he still finished with 15 points, 13 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 blocks. With extended playing time, he will be even more effective.
For Boston, Kemba Walker’s debut didn’t go as planned as the All-NBA point guard shot just 4-for-18 and managed just 12 points in the first matchup. Although he has been spectacular since opening night, this might be the worst matchup in the NBA for Walker as Philadelphia can throw a few guys at him who are great defenders and have excellent size like Josh Richardson and Ben Simmons.
This game is essentially a ‘pick-em’ but due to this being a bad matchup for Boston and the fact that this is the back half of a back-to-back, take the point here.
The Bet – Philadelphia 76ers +1
Cleveland Cavaliers @ San Antonio Spurs (-10.5)
The Cleveland Cavaliers may have found something last night in a loss to the Houston Rockets last night with rookie wing Kevin Porter Jr. He tried his best to outduel James Harden as he poured in a career-high 24 points on 9-of-15 shooting but it wasn’t enough as Cleveland dropped a tightly contested contest, 116-110.
Cleveland’s reward for playing well is a loss and a trip to San Antonio to take on the San Antonio Spurs tonight. It’s been a woefully dreadful stretch for the Cavaliers as they have dropped 14 of 15 games and have rarely been competitive.
The Spurs have had a pretty disappointing season so far and are in jeopardy of having their lengthy playoff streak snapped. It’s been a trying season for future Hall of Fame head coach Gregg Popovich. The Spurs are currently 22nd in the NBA in net rating at -3.5.
Luckily for them, the Cavaliers are dead last in net rating at -10.7. They also, unbelievably, haven’t played a game in six days so they should be well-rested while the Cavaliers are traveling on the second night of a back-to-back.
Cleveland will have trouble with the Spurs size and length with Dejounte Murray back in the fold, DeMar DeRozan on the wing, and LaMarcus Aldridge upfront.
Although 10.5 points is a lot to cover in an NBA game, lay the points here and hope the Cavs come out flat, as teams often due in this situation.
The Bet – San Antonio Spurs -10.5
Dallas Mavericks (-6) Versus Detroit Pistons (in Mexico City)
The Detroit Pistons are starting to play much better. The coaching staff has found something in their rotation. Their lineup of Andre Drummond, Blake Griffin, Luke Kennard, Tony Snell, and Bruce Brown has the best net rating of any five-man lineup that has played more than 50 minutes together.
Detroit has won four of their last five games with the only coming at the hands of the Milwaukee Bucks, who everyone is losing too. Despite their 10-14 record, they actually have a positive point differential at +0.3. The Pistons are also 6-4 over their last 10 games.
For the Dallas Mavericks, there is one constant, Luka Dončić. He has been unbelievable this season and currently has per-game averages of 30 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 9.2 assists.
Dallas has relied on a plethora of players to be the number two option on any given night. Although Kristaps Porziņģis is averaging 16.4 points-per-game, it’s clear he’s still getting the rust off after his ACL injury and he has struggled at times.
This game is being played on a neutral site with the Pistons having a little longer of a travel schedule. Lay the points in this one as someone will step up to help Dončić out, six isn’t enough for the Pistons in this one.
The Bet – Dallas Mavericks -6
Portland Trail Blazers @ Denver Nuggets (-6.5)
Something is off with the Denver Nuggets. They started the season 13-3 and looked like legitimate NBA Final contenders. They have since dropped five of six games with the lone win coming against the lowly New York Knicks.
All-Star big man Nikola Jokić has been extremely disappointing. After a brilliant 2018-19 campaign, he has regressed in a major way through the first quarter of the 2019-20 season. His numbers are down across the board. His scoring has dropped from 20.1 to 16 points per game. Assists, while still excellent for a center, are down from 7.3 to 6.3 per game. Lastly, rebounds are down from 10.8 to 10.
Denver could also be down their second-best player as Jamal Murray had to leave their last contest. Murray has said he is going to play tonight but he still is listed as a game-time decision.
The Portland Trail Blazers have been the biggest disappointment in the entire NBA to this point. Although they are starting to play better, they still are closer to last in the Western Conference than they are to first. They are 10-15 on the season and are a game and a half out of the playoffs.
None of this is due to Damian Lillard, though. He has been splendid, again this season. CJ McCollum hasn’t shot the ball particularly well, but he has been better as of late.
The biggest missing piece for Portland is that of a passing big man. Jusuf Nurkic being out is killing a lot of what they like to do offensively.
With sports betting in Pennsylvania becoming legal, and many other states, lay the points here. Denver, despite their struggles of late, is the much better team and they are at home.
The Bet – Denver Nuggets -6.5
DISCLAIMER: LWOS INC and LWOPB do not offer guarantees on NBA game predictions. Please remember to always gamble legally and responsibly
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