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Free NBA Betting Picks - Today's Best Bets, Expert Predictions, Odds (12/16/23)

John Brubaker's top NBA betting picks and best bets for today's NBA games on 12/16/23. His free picks against the spread, teasers, parlays, and NBA player props.

Happy December, RotoBallers! Another day, another dollar in the NBA and we have a solid ten-game slate worth of NBA action on Saturday night. We have some fun matchups tonight, though, with some surprising storylines to monitor.

We have ourselves a handful of teams coming into tonight's slate on a back-to-back; as the Sixers, Hornets, Pistons, Hawks, Pacers, and Knicks suit up for the second consecutive evening.

In this article, I'll be providing my favorite picks against the spread, game totals, parlays, and teasers for the first full NBA slate of the season that tips off at 6:00 PM EST on Saturday, December 16. 

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NBA Betting Picks: Totals

Utah Jazz (+9.5) @ Sacramento Kings (241.5 total)

I'll start out in the capital of California as the Jazz come into town to take on the Kings.

In terms of pace, both of the teams are towards the middle of the pack, but both are in the upper half of the league. The reason I'll look at the team total here comes down to an efficiency boost for Sacramento tonight. The Kings come into this one ranked 15th in offensive efficiency, while the Jazz rank 26th in defensive efficiency. The Kings are projected to positively regress in offensive efficiency tonight, projecting to 116.76, which is a 4.26-point boost. My model has their team total at 131.37, so I think we're getting good value here.

The Pick: SAC Team Total OVER 126.5 (-110, FanDuel)

 

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NBA Betting Picks: ML and Spreads

Philadelphia 76ers (-9) @ Charlotte Hornets (234.5 total)

I'll head back east to Charlotte as the Sixers come to town.

The Sixers come into this one off of a back-to-back following an impressive 124-92 victory against the Pistons last night at home. Charlotte also had a home game last night, falling short against the Pelicans 112-107. Unfortunately for Charlotte; the Sixers, and Joel Embiid in particular, have been playing excellent basketball. They project to positive regress in offensive efficiency (124.36) and defensive efficiency (110.12). Joel Embiid hasn't played a fourth quarter in any of the last four games, so he'll be fresh for the long haul if it comes to it despite the back-to-back.

The pick: Sixers -9 (-110, DraftKings Sportsbook)

 

NBA Betting Picks: Parlays and Teasers

Favorite ML Parlay: PHI + MIL + SAC (-152, FD)

Favorite Teaser: PHI -3 + MIL -11.5 (-110, FD)



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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Aaron Gordon

Won't Return to NBA Cup Meeting with Houston
Travis Kelce

Open to Returning in 2026?
Onyeka Okongwu

Could Miss Matchup With Pelicans
Brandon Aiyuk

49ers, Brandon Aiyuk Headed for a Divorce Soon?
D'Angelo Russell

Ruled Out Against Pelicans
Trey Hendrickson

Ruled Out for Week 12
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Cleared to Play Friday with Planned Minutes Limit
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Cleared to Face Phoenix
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Ruled Out for Friday's Game Against Miami
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Ruled Out on Friday
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Rangers Non-Tender Adolis Garcia on Friday
Jaylon Tyson

Returning Versus Indiana
Darius Garland

Cleared to Play on Friday, Expected to See Limited Action
Marvin Bagley III

to Miss Friday's Game Against Raptors
Auston Matthews

Doubtful for Saturday
Rashod Bateman

Ruled Out for Week 12
Alexandre Sarr

Ruled Out for a Second Straight Game
Roman Josi

Could Return Saturday
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Out for Six Months After Surgery
Chris Godwin

Officially Questionable for Week 12
Sion James

Expected to Play Through Groin Issue Saturday
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Available for Friday's Matchup
Andrew Wiggins

Labeled as "Day-to-Day"
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Activated From Injured Reserve
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Available Friday
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Returning To Charlotte's Lineup On Saturday
Connor Hellebuyck

to Miss 4-6 Weeks
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Cleared From Injury Report Ahead of Week 12
Jalen Brunson

Probable For Saturday's Matchup With The Magic
Brian Thomas Jr.

Ruled Out for Week 12
Kenneth Walker III

Listed as Questionable for Week 12
Kyle Filipowski

Good To Go Friday Night
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Ruled Out For Week 12
Shaedon Sharpe

Won't Suit Up Friday
Jrue Holiday

to Miss Fourth Straight Game Friday Night
Josh Jacobs

Officially Questionable to Play in Week 12
Darius Slayton

Cleared to Return From Hamstring Injury in Week 12
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"Good to Go" for Week 12
Alvin Kamara

Officially Questionable to Play in Week 12
Xavier Worthy

"Trending in the Right Direction," Officially Questionable
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Out Against Colts
Drake London

Officially Ruled Out for Week 12
CFB

Beau Pribula Expected to Start Against Oklahoma
Aaron Rodgers

Questionable to Play Against Bears
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Sidelined Again on Friday
Jaden McDaniels

Could Miss Another Game on Friday
Rhamondre Stevenson

Expected to Return in Week 12
Jayden Reed

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Trending Toward Playing on Sunday
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Officially Questionable for Week 12
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Belal Muhammad

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Tarik Skubal

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TB

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Out for "Couple of Weeks"
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Trying to Find Form at the RSM Classic
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Garrett Nussmeier Doubtful to Play Against Western Kentucky
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Hopes to End 2025 Campaign With Another Solid Finish
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Looks to End 2025 Season on High Note at RSM Classic
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PGA

Nico Echavarria has the Potential to Contend at the RSM Classic
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Grayson Rodriguez

Shipped to Angels
Taylor Ward

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Shota Imanaga

Accepts Cubs Qualifying Offer
Brandon Woodruff

Returning to Milwaukee in 2026
Denny McCarthy

Looking For Another Solid Finish at RSM Classic
Si Woo Kim

Looking To Use Current Momentum to Flip Script at RSM Classic
Mackenzie Hughes

a Good Bounce-Back Candidate at RSM Classic
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Making 14th Start at This Week's RSM Classic
Konnor Griffin

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Jack Della Maddalena

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