The NBA regular season rolls on with another relatively light slate this Monday, with a total of only 7 matchups on the docket scheduled for today. However, our staff of basketball experts still dug into the latest odds and identified all the best betting value on the board for tonight's contests.
Our betting experts have looked over the odds and made 4 NBA picks for today's matchups. Continue below for our NBA best bets and predictions for Monday, December 30.
NBA Best Bets Today, Predictions, Picks, Odds: Monday, December 30
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 7 p.m. | |
  | 8 p.m. | |
  | 9 p.m. | |
  | 10 p.m. | |
Specific betting recommendations come from the sportsbook offering preferred odds as of writing. Always shop for the best price using our NBA Odds page, which automatically surfaces the best lines for every game. | ||
Bulls vs. Hornets
Josh Green regularly starts and plays close to 30 minutes per game, but he actually has to do things on offense tonight with Charlotte playing shorthanded.
LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller are both doubtful for Monday's contest. They both missed last game, which elevated Green to nearly 40 minutes, where he shot 3 for 6 from three-point range in the process.
Tonight, I'm looking for similar volume, and thus, the three-point over is good for me right here at 1.5, especially considering it's at plus-money against a Bulls team that is allowing the fourth-most three-point attempts per game on the season.
Pick: Josh Green Over 1.5 Three-Pointers (+102)
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Clippers vs. Pelicans
The Pelicans have gotten healthier recently, and their pace and offensive efficiency have both increased as a result, thanks to the combination of CJ McCollum, Dejounte Murray and Trey Murphy being active.
Defensively, however, they allow the third-most assists in the league to opposing guards.
The Clippers play at a slower pace, so the Clippers player props may be a bit low subjective to the predictive game pace.
For those reasons, I'll play James Harden Over 8.5 Assists. There are 7.5s in the market at -140, or you can take 8.5 at +115. The one assist is not worth 55 cents, so play the plus-odds at over 8.5 dimes.
Pick: James Harden Over 8.5 Assists (+115)
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Nuggets vs. Jazz
By Joe Dellera
The Nuggets take on the Jazz on Monday night, and I’m targeting Christian Braun to have a strong performance in this one.
The Nuggets will once again be without Aaron Gordon, and that typically results in greater opportunity for Braun.
When Gordon has been out this season, Braun averages 16.2 points per game, and has exceeded 11.5 points in 12/13 games. And this is a nice opportunity to buy because he only had 10 last time out.
It’s a particularly strong spot for Braun because the Jazz are weak in transition and that’s an area in which Braun excels.
When Denver forces turnovers or fastbreaks, he is always leading the push and gets the extra scoring opportunities. And while Utah has been solid at deterring Rim Attempts, they are not good at actually stopping them.
I’ll back Braun on Monday night.
Pick: Christian Braun Over 11.5 Points (-110)
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76ers vs. Trail Blazers
By Nick Parsons
The Trail Blazers are riding high coming off back-to-back victories, most recently pulling away for a 126-122 win over Dallas.
The Blazers have seen the total go Over in three straight games, but note that looking back, Portland has seen the total go Under in eight of its last 12 after playing to three or more straight Overs.
The Sixers are also on a solid run, as they enter tonight following three straight victories, most recently a 114-111 win at Utah, which followed a gutsy 118-114 upset road victory at Boston on Christmas Day.
Philly has now seen the total go Over in five straight, but note that the 76ers have also seen the total go Under in four of their last five after playing to five or more straight Overs in a row.
With a big New Year's Day game at Sacramento on the horizon, Philly could be caught looking ahead here.
I believe these teams will be much less efficient offensively than what the oddsmakers are currently projecting. I'll take the under.
Pick: Under 222.5 (-110)
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