A massive 14-game slate for Saturday, as we push towards the halfway mark of the 2022/23 NBA season. With this being the final game for a lot of these teams before Christmas Day, there’s a chance we get some flat performances, particularly if there’s any teams at the end of a road trip, with the players and coaching staff no doubt looking forward to spending some time at home with their families.
2022-23 NBA Betting Tips: Saturday 24th December
Toronto Raptors at Cleveland Cavaliers
Quicken Loans Arena, 11:30am AEDT
The Cavs are one of the form teams in the NBA right now, riding a 5-game winning streak over some seriously good opposition. Over the past week and a half, the Cavs have wins over the Mavericks (x2), Pacers, Jazz and Bucks. They also boast the best home record in the NBA (16-2). Today, they get a crack at a team with one of the worst road records in the NBA, as the Toronto Raptors head to town.
The Raptors have managed to win both earlier matchups between the teams this season, however both those contests were played in Toronto, where the Raptors have been fantastic this season. But they have been poor in general in December (3-9), and I don’t see them covering the spread in this matchup. Give me the Cavs to continue their strong home form.
Cleveland Cavaliers (-4)
$1.95 (2 Units)
Milwaukee Bucks at Brooklyn Nets
Barclays Center, 11:30am AEDT
Game of the day, as the first place Milwaukee Bucks (22-9) take on the 4th placed Brooklyn Nets (20-12).
After starting the season with only 9 wins from their first 20 games, the Nets have bulldozed their way towards the top of the Eastern Conference standings. With 11 wins in their past 12 games, they are the hottest team in the NBA, getting amazing production out of Kevin Durant in that span (31.8p, 6.5r, 5a).
The Bucks have quietly gone about their business this season, and are well on the way towards a 60-win season. They have been struggling slightly of late, going 3-3 over their past 6 games. They do have a little look-ahead spot here, as they take on the Celtics on Christmas Day, and it wouldn’t surprise at all if they have a little let down here. Khris Middleton is set to miss out again, with Giannis listed as ‘Day-to-day’ on the injury report.
Come playoff time, I see this bet going a different way, but in this spot, I’ll take the Nets to continue their hot streak and cover.
Brooklyn Nets (-2.5)
$1.95 (1.5 Units)
Indiana Pacers at Miami Heat
American Airlines Arena, 12:00pm AEDT
These two teams have played two tight contests already this season, and I see no reason to believe this one won’t be close also. The heat have only played in 6 games this season I would consider to be blowouts (10-point victory), whilst the Pacers have been involved in many tight contests over their past 9 games, with the average margin of victory sitting at 5.8 points per game.
The Heat have been in better form, however there are always injury concerns for this ageing roster, and with Jimmy Butler, along with several other role players, listed day-to-day, there’s a chance the Heat are short-handed in this one.
I make the Heat a 2.5-point favourite, so to get 6.5 is an easy bet on the Pacers.
Indiana Pacers (+6.5)
$1.92 (1.5 Units)
