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

It's a relatively small slate today with only seven games, but it's going to be a great week as we don't really have any dead nights. Both Tuesday (5) and Thursday (4) have more games than usual and that is going to lead to what should be a great week for betting on NBA basketball.

Consider subscribing to my sports betting substack here as I put out something on most evenings from Monday through Friday, too. But for now, I am just tackling game totals and sides.

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 Monday, December 12. 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: 57-68
• Against the Spread: 28-30
• Game/Team Totals: 8-16
• Moneyline Parlay: 7-14
• Teasers: 13-7

NBA Betting Picks: Against the Spread

Miami Heat (-3) @ Indiana Pacers (228 total)

I have a soft spot for the Pacers, I admit it. And I am well aware they just lost to the Nets' B-team in their last game. But let's also consider for a minute that the Heat just lost (at full strength) to the Spurs on Saturday, too.

The Pacers took the first game in this series in a game that Jimmy Butler missed, but I still love how feisty they are and I won't put it past them to pick up another win at home here as Tyrese Haliburton and Bennedict Mathurin are such good young guards and Buddy Hield continues to thrive on the wing.

Miami has just been a mess this season and it feels like they are constantly battling injuries to important rotational players. I was going to take the Pacers to win outright, but this line moved all the way to +3, so I am going to air on the side of caution and take the points. I like the Pacers at home, they've been a pretty good team this year while the Heat has continued to underachieve.

The Pick: Pacers +3 (-110)

Cleveland Cavaliers (-6.5) @ San Antonio Spurs (223.5 total)

I will not bet on the Cavs. I will not bet on the Cavs. I will not bet on the Cavs.

Ah, c'mon! Why do the Cavs have to be only 6.5 favorites here? They've already moved from -5.5 this morning and if Donovan Mitchell does play, they're going to trounce the lowly Spurs. I have them projected as double-digit favorites, and despite the recent Spurs win on Saturday against Miami, they have still been the worst team in the league over the last two weeks in net rating.

Devin Vassell is back for San Antonio, but Jakob Poeltl is still out and the Cavs big men should feast on the Spurs front court. Again, waiting on Mitchell to get ruled in is one route you can take, but I am going to grab this line now as I think it is likely to keep moving.

The Pick: Cavs -6.5 (-110)

Boston Celtics (-3) @ LA Clippers (225.5 total)

I jinxed the Celtics on Saturday night when I tweeted out that I was taking them on the road against the Warriors. They got the Warriors' best game and not having Al Horford has hurt them probably more than people realize. Jayson Tatum had an off night and they weren't able to overcome it against such a good opponent.

I like Boston to bounce back here, though. The Clippers have been mediocre at best this year, even with Kawhi Leonard and Paul George in the lineup. They simply aren't playing at the level that we thought they would and they're missing an important bench piece in Norman Powell, too.

Boston is still the best team in the league and bettors are giving the Clippers too much credit here, especially since this line has moved in their favor this morning. They've lost four of their last six, including a game to Orlando that is unforgivable for a team that is supposed to be a contender in the West.

The Pick: Celtics -3 (-110)

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NBA Betting Picks: Totals

Atlanta Hawks (+7) @ Memphis Grizzlies (228.5 total)

I have to admit that totals have been my biggest weakness this season. I don't have a great feel on the game totals today, but I am going to go with a different angle here with a team total instead.

The Hawks are playing their second game in two nights and needed an extra period last night to pull out a thrilling win against the Bulls. They're without their best two defensive players in John Collins and Dejounte Murray and have allowed 120 or more points now in three of their last five games.

Memphis is playing well right now, winning their last five games in a row and going for 117 or more points in three of those contests. As long as Ja Morant plays (he's questionable, but I think he does), I think this Memphis offense scores with ease tonight and can eclipse their team total. They're just too good on offense and efficient, even without Desmond Bane and once they are healthy, they're going to be a major contender in the Western Conference.

The Pick: Grizzlies team total OVER 117.5 (-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:  MEM + BKN +DAL + CLE  = (+275 DraftKings)

4-point Underdog Teaser: OKC +12.5, IND +6.5  = (-110 DraftKings)

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