Free NBA Betting Picks - Today's Best Bets, Expert Predictions, Odds (12/21/22)

Thunder Dan's top NBA betting picks and best bets for today's NBA games on 12/21/22. His free picks against the spread, teasers, parlays, and NBA player props.

There are 11 NBA games on the slate tonight and a few rematches from Monday as we get to see part two of Portland-OKC and Minnesota-Dallas.

I'm only picking sides and totals in this article three days a week, so consider subscribing to my sports betting substack here as I put out some DFS stuff and props on most evenings from Monday through Friday, too.

In this article, I'll be providing my favorite picks against the spread, game totals, parlays, and teasers for NBA games that tip-off at 7:00 PM EST on Wednesday, December 21. Let's take a look at the games that I am targeting with wagers tonight.

Thunder Dan's NBA Best Bets

• 2022-2023 Overall Record: 68-76
• Against the Spread: 33-33
• Game/Team Totals: 10-19
• Moneyline Parlay: 8-16
• Teasers: 16-7

NBA Betting Picks: Against the Spread

Orlando Magic (-1.5) @ Houston Rockets (223 total)

The Magic had reeled off six straight wins before falling to the Hawks in the waning seconds of Monday night's game. They have been fantastic of late as Markelle Fultz and company are playing well and consistently covering for us.

The Rockets just lost by double digits to the lowly Spurs (on a night when I actually bet on them) and have been completely unreliable on a nightly basis. They did beat Orlando earlier in the year, but the Magic are simply playing much better basketball right now and I like them to win here.

The Pick: Orlando -1.5 (-110)

Toronto Raptors (+2) @ New York Knicks (217.5 total)

I know some people like to bet against hot streaks, or don't believe in players or teams getting "hot" but how can you ignore what the Knicks are doing right now? They've won eight straight games and dispatched the Warriors last night at home with ease, cruising to a 38-point win.

They are simply firing on all cylinders right now and getting the most out of their best players. Julius Randle is making me look dumb for touting him as a fantasy bust and Jalen Brunson has fit into their scheme quite nicely. The Raptors are banged up and rely so much on Fred VanVleet and Pascal Siakam that if either of them has an off night, they are in trouble.

I like the Knicks to keep their streak going and to pick up another quality win at home against Toronto, covering this small spread in the process.

The Pick: Knicks -2 (-110)

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NBA Betting Picks: Totals

Golden State Warriors (-12.5) @ Brooklyn Nets (225 total)

In case you missed it, the Warriors are in shambles right now. They got trounced by the Knicks last night by 38 points and have lost six of their last eight games. They're without Steph Curry for a month and have been missing a key player just about every night it seems as Klay Thompson gets rest days and Donte DiVincenzo was out last night.

The Nets are actually one of the hottest teams in the NBA and are finally getting it all together after a slow start. I'm not interested in laying 12.5 points, but I do think Brooklyn has a great shot at exceeding 119 points tonight. The Warriors have allowed 118 or more in four of their last five games and are playing the second half of a back-to-back. They simply aren't a good defensive team this year so far and Brooklyn has scored 119 or more now in five of their last six.

The Pick: Nets Team Total OVER 118.5 (-110)

Milwaukee Bucks (+2) @ Cleveland Cavaliers (217 total)

You all know by now that I have banned myself from betting on or against the Cavs this season as I either jinx them or reverse-jinx them every time. This should be an awesome game between two of the best teams in the East and while I will be rooting for my Cavs, I am going to betting on the total instead.

I have this game projected for only around 210-211 points tonight. The Cavs have been playing some incredible defense lately, holding opponents to only 101 points per game over their last ten games. They're 0-2 against the Bucks so far this season, but they're as healthy as they've been in a while and ready for the challenge of slowing down Giannis and company. This matchup has ended at 211 and 219 points the first two times, and I think this result is likely to be closer to the 210-range based on how well both teams are playing defensively right now.

The Pick: UNDER 217 (-110)

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NBA Betting Picks: Parlays and Teasers

I usually do a money line favorite parlay on bigger slates and then one teaser bet as well (usually a lot of underdogs, but not always).

Just know the risks involved with parlaying bets, we are increasing our potential payouts but adding more risk to every bet with every outcome that we include.

Favorite Moneyline Parlay:  BKN+ SAC + PHI + LAC = (+149 DraftKings)

These underdog teasers have been some of my best bets this season, check the record!

4-point Underdog Teaser: IND +10 + OKC +8 + MIL +6 = (+170 DraftKings)

I usually post all my favorite props in our RotoBaller Discord on a nightly basis - if you're not a premium member for NBA content you can change that by signing up here!

We just added a new player prop tool that is available to our NBA premium and betting premium members, too!

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