This is the final major slate in the NBA until Friday. Therefore, you won’t want to miss the opportunities on tonight’s NBA betting board. I asked the AI Model for its best bets for today, and here’s what it came up with.
Picks Summary
- Clippers ML (+120)
- Jazz +12 (-110)Â
- Trail Blazers-Lakers Over 224.5 (-110)
*All odds from Bet365 (check our Bet365 Review)
Houston Rockets vs. Los Angeles Clippers
Sunday, December 08, 2024 – 09:30 PM ET at Intuit Dome
The AI Model the Clippers will add a 118-110 win over the Rockets tonight. As a three-point underdog, +120 is easily the best play on the board tonight.
The Clippers Match Up Well
The Houston Rockets have grabbed the league-best 33.9% of offensive rebounds. But what happens when the Rockets match up against a Clippers defense that has given up 23.8% of offensive rebounds per game?
Ultimately, the Rockets won’t have as much success on the glass. That would hurt, especially since the Rockets have shot an effective field goal percentage of just 50.2%. That rate ranks 29th in the NBA.
Houston lives off the glass and doesn’t turn the ball over often. But those areas could change a bit on the road.
How Los Angeles Can Hang In
The Clippers will need to limit turnovers. It’s one thing that has haunted them all year long. Ultimately, the Rockets have earned just 15.1% of turnovers. So there’s a good chance the Clippers don’t turn the ball over as much.
If the Clippers can limit turnovers and have more success on the glass, they’ll win outright at home.
Side with the AI Model and take the Clippers at +120.
NBA Pick: Clippers ML (+120) at Bet365
Utah Jazz vs. Sacramento Kings
Sunday, December 08, 2024 – 09:00 PM ET at Golden 1 Center
Our AI Model believes the Sacramento Kings will earn an 11-point win. However, the Jazz are 12-point underdogs. The best bet is to take the Jazz at +12 on the road.
The Jazz Can Scratch and Claw
The Utah Jazz are nothing special on offense. This team has shot a 53.2% effective field goal percentage and has turned the ball over more than 18% of the time.
However, this type of aggressiveness has helped on the offensive glass and getting to the foul line.
It’ll be hard to dominate the glass since the Kings have allowed just 26.2% of offensive rebounds. However, the Jazz should still earn a lot of foul shots against a Kings defense that has allowed a 20.3 rate this season.
Points at the line always help the underdog stay in the game.
Sacramento Won’t Pull Away
The Kings have scored 116.2 points per 100 possessions. That ranks 8th in the NBA. But it’s ultimately because the Kings don’t turn the ball over. It’s not due to shot-making. After all, the Kings have shot a 55.1% effective field goal percentage, the 13th-best in the NBA.
It’s also plausible that the Jazz could get more foul shots, with Utah allowing just an 18.6 free-throw rate on defense. The Jazz at +12 works for me.
NBA Pick: Jazz +12 (-110) at Bet365
Portland Trail Blazers vs. Los Angeles Lakers
Sunday, December 08, 2024 – 09:30 PM ET at crypto.com Arena
The AI Model suggests the Lakers and Blazers will score a combined 230 points. However, Bet365 only has a total of 224.5. That means the Over is a ton of value.
Portland Can Live On The Glass
The Los Angeles Lakers have become one of the worst defenses in the NBA. They’ve allowed 118 points per 100 possessions and have given up a 56.6% effective field goal percentage. Additionally, the Lakers have been awful on the defensive glass and don’t earn many turnovers.
The Lakers are only good at limiting fouls. That said, the Blazers aren’t scoring at a heavy rate. That could change against the Lakers, especially since the Blazers are very good on the offensive glass.
Portland has earned 31.5% of offensive rebounds. The Blazers will likely add a lot of second-chance points and potentially even shoot better than their typical average.
Points At The Line For Los Angeles
The Lakers have added the second-best free-throw rate in the NBA. Meanwhile, the Blazers rank 27th in defensive free-throw rate. The Lakers will be more aggressive and get to the foul line more.
It’s also likely the Lakers add second-chance points themselves. Los Angeles doesn’t have a good offensive rebounding rate. However, Portland has allowed 33% of offensive rebounds. The Lakers should also be efficient on the glass.
Take the Over 224.5. Both teams will get a lot of chances to score.
NBA Pick: Over 224.5 (-110) at Bet365
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*The line and/or odds referenced in this article might have changed since the content was published. For the latest information on line movements, visit OddsTrader’s free betting odds tool.
