Last night was an embarrassment, and I’m not talking about the Suns blowing a 22-point lead. That’s what it took to secure an 0-2 night for this column, and yet somehow the powers that be have allowed redemption. It’s a larger slate tonight, so there is less chance to take a team looking to blow a 20-point lead. There are some good spots to attack, however, including a much-anticipated Timberwolves-76ers matchup and the Celtics in Sacramento. Here are the best NBA plays today — one side and one total.
Best NBA Bets Today: +EV NBA Side and Total for Dec. 20
Best NBA Side: Knicks-Nets Point Spread
The battle for New York is missing a key piece, at least for the team representing Manhattan. Mitchell Robinson’s absence has left a massive void in defending the paint. This is a major spot for the Nets to attack, which is an early stage in the process of dismantling the Knicks defense. What was once an area of significant strength has become a top concern for this Knicks team; Robinson being a Defensive Player of the Year candidate is a huge loss.
The Knicks followed up a brutal showing to the Clippers by limiting the Lakers in a win, but using the Lakers as any true test is tough given how volatile they can be — especially on defense. This game won’t lend itself to an equal pacing. Brooklyn was horrific in its last game, getting punched squarely in the face by the lowly Utah Jazz. Nothing went right for the Nets as they dropped their third straight game — four of their last five. It’s a great buyback spot for a team that’s a short favorite at home in a favorable matchup — just don’t let Jalen Brunson score 60.
Thanks to OddsShopper, we find the Nets at +1.5 -108 on BetRivers — saving a few cents of juice at other books.
Best NBA Side Bet: Brooklyn Nets +1.5 (-108 at BetRivers)
Best NBA Total: Clippers-Mavericks O/U 236.5
A home game for Dallas and a massive points + rebounds + assists line for Luka Doncic should add up to a lot of points — at least for Dallas. But the chances are way more important than anything else when taking on the Clippers. Road or home, Los Angeles is playing at one of the slowest paces across the league and will do everything it can to limit opportunity for the Mavericks. Doncic is down his All-Star teammate in Kyrie Irving, and Dallas will also miss Dereck Lively II for at least the second straight game — hence the Mavericks being a short dog at home.
Those injuries shouldn’t impact the Mavericks’ ability to defend the Clippers, and at the very least they aren’t ensuring more points on the board. It’s not like the Mavericks are better off without Irving from a scoring standpoint. The Clippers aren’t interested in ramping up the pace just because two starters are down for Dallas. Los Angeles is more than comfortable grinding out this win, especially on the road against a talent like Doncic.
Best NBA Total Bet: Under 236.5 (-108 at BetRivers)
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