NBA Odds, Best Bets: 4 Predictions From the ‘Buckets’ Podcast (Wednesday, December 20)

NBA Odds, Best Bets: 4 Predictions From the ‘Buckets’ Podcast (Wednesday, December 20) article feature image
Credit:

Carmen Mandato/Getty Images. Pictured: Fred Van Vleet of the Houston Rockets.

After a relatively small schedule on Tuesday, the NBA regular season rolls on with a 10-game slate on Wednesday.

Our staff came through with best bets for four of those matchups, including picks for Hornets vs. Pacers, Knicks vs. Nets, Hawks vs. Raptors and more.

Listen to the latest episode of Action Network's "Buckets" podcast, and read our best bets for Wednesday's NBA slate below.


GameTime (ET)Pick
Charlotte Hornets LogoIndiana Pacers Logo
7:00 p.m.Pacers 1Q + 1H
Denver Nuggets LogoToronto Raptors Logo
7:30 p.m.Raptors +4
New York Knicks LogoBrooklyn Nets Logo
7:30 p.m.Nets +1
Atlanta Hawks LogoHouston Rockets Logo
8:00 p.m.Rockets -3
Header First Logo

Pacers +1Q + 1H vs. Hornets

7 p.m. ET ⋅ NBA League Pass

By Jay Money

I'm taking these both as straight bets.

There aren't a ton of stats to back this one up — it's simply a bounce-back Jay spot. The Pacers are 0-4 against the spread in their last four games. Two of those losses came against the Clippers and Timberwolves, two teams in the West that are scorching hot.

Tyrese Haliburton played horribly in their last game, and Myles Turner didn’t play at all, but he did practice yesterday.

The Hornets are not great, and I think the Pacers will score often and early. The Hornets also have too many question marks for me, so this is a spot where the Pacers can get right.



Header First Logo

Raptors +4 vs. Nuggets

7:30 p.m. ET ⋅ NBA League Pass

By Albert Nguyen

The Nuggets are coming off an impressive win over the Mavericks, who were playing really well. Denver beat Dallas by 26.

However, I think the Raptors actually match up against this Nuggets team pretty well.

The Raptors have covered in their last three matchups against the Nuggets, and now Denver has to travel across time zones to get to Toronto. Plus, the Raptors are always a sneaky team at home, especially with a line this low.

I will probably sprinkle the moneyline on the Raptors as well.



Header First Logo

Nets +1 vs. Knicks

7:30 p.m. ET ⋅ NBA League Pass

By Albert Nguyen

I know it’s a gross play, but I love this spot. The Knicks have won the last two matchups, while the Nets are coming off a five-game road trip in which they lost four games.

The Nets are a frisky team and are 10-2-1 against the spread at home.

The Knicks just defeated the Lakers in a great game in Los Angeles and have gone back across the country on Tuesday after staying the night in L.A.

The rigors of the NBA travel schedule impact both of my handicaps today.



Header First Logo

Rockets -3 vs. Hawks

8 p.m. ET ⋅ NBA League Pass

By Sean Little

This is a great spot and matchup for the Rockets, as I have this number closer to -5.

The last time the Hawks beat a team over .500 came on Nov. 10 when they downed the Magic in Mexico City.

Atlanta is arguably the worst defensive team in the NBA. In its last 10 games, it's 29th in defensive rating and 28th in fast-break points allowed. It's also gone 2-5 in its seven road games this season.

Meanwhile, the Rockets are 11-1 straight up and against the spread at home this season. Coming off two straight losses, I think they pick up the win and cover against the Hawks.

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