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Free NBA Picks Tuesday, December 31 and Opening Line Report


by Jason Radowitz - 12/30/2019

Luka Doncic Dallas Mavericks

There's a seven-game slate in the NBA for New Year's Eve, including intriguing matchups like the 76ers against the Pacers and Nuggets against the Rockets. The Celtics and Clippers will be playing teams with long losing streaks, while the Warriors and Spurs project to have a lot of scoring. Make sure to get your bets in for the early games as the 76ers/Pacers and Celtics/Hornets start at 3pm EST. Here's the early lean for the seven games on New Year's Eve.

76ers @ Pacers (TBD,TBD)

The 76ers have lost back-to-back games by one point. Philadelphia is now 5-5 in their last ten games. The Pacers have also lost two straight games, one by a point to the Heat and the other being a blowout loss to the Pelicans on the road. Truth be told, the Pacers play a lot better at home. They've won their last five home games this season. The Pacers will be without Malcolm Brogdon, their leading scorer while the 76ers remain healthy. This is a game where the 76ers will be favorites on the road but the Pacers will sneak a win at home as underdogs.

Key trends: The Pacers 10-6-1 ATS at home this season.

Early lean: Pacers, Under

Celtics @ Hornets (-8.5, TBD)

Boston was on a solid winning streak before Toronto snapped the Celtics into pieces on Saturday, 113-97. The Hornets have really been struggling recently with five straight losses, with three of them on the road and two of them at home. The Celtics won't make anything easier on the Hornets. On December 22, the Hornets lost to the Celtics on the road, 119-93. You can expect the same, even on the road.

Key trends: The Celtics are 5-2 after a loss this season ATS.

Early lean: Celtics, Under

Clippers @ Kings (TBD, TBD)

The Clippers started the year hot but have since been trading wins for losses in December. The Clippers have lost three of their last five games while the Kings have suddenly fallen to 12-21 on the year, going 2-8 in their last ten games. The Clippers' offense will do more damage to the Kings that has lost seven straight games. The Kings are completely out of sync. Look for the Clippers to capitalize.

Key trends: The Kings are 10-10 ATS after a loss this season.

Early lean: Clippers, Over

Warriors @ Spurs (-10, TBD)

The Warriors were on a four-game winning streak until they allowed Dallas to score 141 points on the road. The Warriors stuck around and scored 121 points themselves, but it wasn't enough. The Spurs are putting up points at a high rate this season and looking at what Dallas just did to the Warriors, it's hard to see the Warriors stop the Spurs on the road.

Key trends: The Warriors are 8-9 ATS as a road team this season.

Early lean: Spurs, Over

Cavaliers @ Raptors (TBD, TBD)

The Cavs have won four of their last five games after ganging up on bad teams. The Raptors are former NBA Champions and are no pushovers at home. The Raptors have lost three of their last five and their last two at home. The Raptors will get a favorable line that is impossible to throw away. This should be a double-digit explosion for the Raptors.

Key trends: The Raptors are 11-7 ATS at home this season.

Early lean: Raptors, Over

Nuggets @ Rockets (TBD, TBD)

This is the game of the night between the Nuggets and the Rockets. Denver is 23-9 while the Rockets are 22-11. James Harden is currently averaging 38.8 points per game and I think we're all surprised he's doing this alongside Russell Westbrook. Denver enjoyed a three-game homestand where they won their last two games. The Nuggets also defeated the Lakers and the Suns on the road and have went 9-1 in their last ten games. The Rockets are 3-2 in their last five and 7-3 in their last ten games. The Rockets took a bad loss to the Pelicans, losing 127-112. The Nuggets are on fire right now and should be able to play well enough on the defensive end to win this game.

Key trends: Rockets are 7-8 as the home team ATS this season.

Early lean: Nuggets, Under

Mavericks @ Thunder (TBD, TBD)

Dallas is coming off a road loss to the Lakers on primetime and are just 5-5 in their last ten. Luka Doncic is back and healthy but that didn't get in the way of the Lakers quest to snap a losing streak. The Thunder are playing surprisingly well this season. They're 17-15 on the year and have won seven of their last 10 games with a one-point win over the Raptors on the road most recently. The Mavericks will be coming into this game disappointed about their game against the Lakers and defeat the Thunder at home. This team will have their highs and lows throughout the season.

Key trends: The Mavericks are 11-4 ATS as the road team this season.

Early lean: Mavericks, Under


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