NBA Best Bets Tonight: Predictions From the ‘Buckets’ Podcast (Tuesday, Dec. 19)

NBA Best Bets Tonight: Predictions From the ‘Buckets’ Podcast (Tuesday, Dec. 19) article feature image
Credit:

Maddie Malhotra/Getty Images. Pictured: Kristaps Porzingis

The NBA regular season continues on Tuesdaywith a small four-game slate, and our NBA betting experts gave out the bets they're playing on the Buckets podcast, including picks on Grizzlies vs. Pelicans, Spurs vs. Bucks and Celtics vs. Warriors.

Listen to the latest episode of Buckets and read their Tuesday picks below.


GameTime (ET)Pick
Memphis Grizzlies LogoNew Orleans Pelicans Logo
7:30 p.m.Pelicans -6.5
San Antonio Spurs LogoMilwaukee Bucks Logo
7:30 p.m.Malachi Branham Over 11.5 Points
Boston Celtics LogoGolden State Warriors Logo
10 p.m.Celtics 1H -3

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Pelicans -6.5 vs. Grizzlies

7:30 p.m. ET ⋅ TNT

By Andrew O'Connor-Watts

This is Ja Morant's first game back from suspension. The Pelicans are one of the deeper teams in the league and are +5.6 net rating off the bench in the last 10 games. The Grizzlies are nearly exact opposites at -5.7. What has me betting on this game is the return of Morant.

In basketball, we see this all the time. It takes time for teams to gel even with past experience. It has been a long absence on the court for Morant and I tend to go with the team that has been playing together the past few weeks/months.



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Malachi Branham Over 11.5 Points at Bucks

7:30 p.m. ET ⋅ NBA League Pass

By Bryan Fonseca

Malachi Branham appears to have taken over the point guard duties for the Spurs as of late and has hit this number in three of his last four games. He is averaging 14/4/4 in that span.

Branham is actually pretty good and he shoots the ball really well. The Bucks' defense has raised questions all year along on the perimeter because of the Jrue Holiday trade. Both teams are top-three in pace as well, so hopefully this turns into a track meet.

Plenty of sportsbooks will be available once sports betting is live in the Tar Heel State. Stay up to date on all the latest on BetMGM North Carolina!



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Celtics 1H -3 at Warriors

10 p.m. ET ⋅ TNT

By Jay Money

In my opinion, when Kristaps Porzingis is healthy the Celtics are a super-team. He stretches the defense, he is the primary shot-blocker and if he plays, they are the best team in the NBA.

This is the 10th-straight game for the Warriors in a different arena. This is a revenge spot for the Celtics, who lost the Finals to the Warriors two years ago and are clearly the better team this season.

The reason I take first half is because we have seen the Warriors blitz teams in the third quarter. I think fatigue could play a factor in the second half for the Celtics after a long trip across the country.

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