We’ve been in great form with our NBA betting tips in recent weeks and will look to continue that on this Thursday where there are six games on the cards. Catch all our best spread and player prop bets right here and good luck to everyone following!
NBA Betting Tips: Thursday, 23th of December
Cleveland Cavaliers at Boston Celtics
TD Garden, 11:30am AEDT
The Cavaliers continue to prove doubters wrong and enter this clash on a six-game win streak, which has seen their record improve to 19-12 – the third best mark in the Eastern Conference. Most recently they destroyed an undermanned Bucks outfit on the road by 29 points to make it six straight 11+ point victories.
The Celtics have had a turbulent season to date and there’s no signs of it smoothening out anytime soon. They’re currently 2-2 on their long homestand with their most recent result being a five-point loss against a decimated 76ers team. The Celtics have lost six of their last nine games and that’s seen their record drop below 500 at 15-16, which has them sitting ninth in the East.
These teams have already met twice this season and will enter Thursday’s clash in Boston with the series tied at 1-1. Interestingly, despite coming into this game in arguably the best form in the league as well as having a fantastic season overall, the Cavaliers will start as big underdogs. We simply don’t agree with the bookmakers here and are happy to take underdogs to cover the spread at the very least.
Cleveland Cavaliers +6
$1.90
Toronto Raptors at Chicago Bulls
United Center, 12pm AEDT
The Raptors have had a season full of both good and bad runs and enter this slate in one of their better runs. They’ve won five of their last seven games including a 19-point home victory against the Warriors last time out. The Raptors are now 14-15 on the season and sit 10th in the East, which is great result considering how young and inexperienced their roster is.
The Bulls continue to play solid basketball and chalk up wins as they enjoy a resurgence to the top of the Eastern Conference this season. They’re currently second in the standings with a 19-10 record, which has them just 1.5 games back from the Nets in first. Most recently the Bulls destroyed the Rockets by 15 points in Chicago, which was their second win from as many games on their current homestand.
These teams were scheduled to play each other less than a week ago in Toronto, but that game had to be cancelled due to health and safety protocols. They have already met once however, which came just a week into the season where the Bulls were able to negotiate a three-point win on the road. A lot of water has gone under the bridge since then, but with both teams coming into this clash in good form, we expect another close contest that should enable the Raptors to cover the spread.
Toronto Raptors +9.5
$1.83
Houston Rockets at Milwaukee Bucks
Fiserv Forum, 12pm AEDT
The Rockets were the laughing stock of the NBA after the first few weeks of the season when their record sat at 1-15. However, they were able to then pull off one of the most unlikely seven-game win streaks you’ll see, which has helped earn them some respect around the league. Most recently the Rockets fell by 15 points on the road against the Bulls, which was a disappointing way to back up an impressive nine-point road win against the Pistons.
The Bucks have had arguably the toughest run with players missing games this season, whether it be through injuries, health and safety protocols or more. Despite that, the defending championships have been able to put together a 19-13 record, which is good enough for fifth spot int the East. The Bucks were blown out of the park by the in-form Cavaliers in their most recent outing, which was their second straight loss.
There’s no denying that the Bucks are the far superior team in this matchup when both are fully fit. That isn’t the case on this occasion however, which should give the Rockets every chance to try and cause an upset win. The Bucks should be able to grind out the win at home, but we still like the value of the away side covering the big spread here.
Houston Rockets +10
$1.90
Player Props
11:30am Magic at Hawks – Kevin Huerter 23+ PRA $1.85 TAB
12pm Rockets at Bucks – Jrue Holiday 33+ PRA $1.85 TAB
12pm Rockets at Bucks – Khris Middleton 33+ PRA $1.95 TAB
12pm Nuggets at Thunder – Monte Morris 14+ Points $1.87 TAB
12pm Nuggets at Thunder – Josh Giddey 13+ RA $1.73 Sportsbet
