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Golden State and Phoenix continue to tear it up in the Western Conference. Stephen Curry broke Ray Allen’s record for career three-pointers this week. The Suns won’t be in action on Friday, but the Warriors will.
Can they continue their early season success? Here’s a look at the top five NBA picks for Friday, December 17, 2021.
Golden State Warriors vs. Boston Celtics
Best Bet: UNDER 215
The Warriors have won four of their last five, but they have had trouble covering spreads. Golden State is just 1-3 ATS in its last four games.
The Warriors are the best defensive team in the NBA and rank No. 3 in points per game on offense. Golden State has held nine of its last ten opponents to 104 points or less. Nine of their last 11 games have seen the total go Under.
It’s a similar story for the Celtics where the Under has cashed in six of the last nine games. Oh, and the Under is 10-1 in the last 11 Warriors-Celtics games.
Denver Nuggets vs. Atlanta Hawks
Best Bet: HAWKS -4
Atlanta got a much needed win over Orlando on Wednesday night. The Hawks welcome Denver to the State Farm Arena.
The Nuggets have suffered a number of injuries this season and have been struggling. Jalen Green won’t play and Jamal Murray is out indefinitely Michael Porter Jr. and P.J. Dozier are done for the season, but the Nuggets still have reigning NBA MVP Nikola Jokic.
Neither team has been all that strong against the spread lately, but the Hawks have covered six of the last seven times they have played Denver at home.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
Best Bet: LAKERS +1.5
Yes, the Lakers will be playing with a limited roster, but the lineup will still include LeBron James and Anthony Davis. That’s enough to beat a below-.500 Minnesota team.
The Timberwolves have won two of their last seven games. They also have a win over the Lakers earlier this season. James did not play in that one though.
L.A. has won three straight and four of its last five. They cover for sure and could pull the win as well.
Memphis Grizzlies vs. Sacramento Kings
Best Bet: GRIZZLIES -4
The Grizzlies have played admirably without their best player in Ja Morant who continues to be out with his knee injury. Memphis has won four straight and nine of its last ten games.
In six of the Grizzlies past ten games, opponents scored 95 or fewer points. Memphis hasn’t allowed more than 106 points in its last ten games.
The Kings can score. They rank fifth in the league in scoring averaging over 111 points per game. When they have to, the Grizzlies can score too. They are seventh in scoring.
Memphis is 8-2 ATS in its last ten games and 5-0 ATS on the road. Back the Grizzlies to cover.
Charlotte Hornets vs. Portland Trail Blazers
Hornets vs. Trail Blazers Pick
Best Bet: OVER 225.5
The Hornets remain the NBA’s leading scoring team averaging 115.6 points per game. It is no surprise that the Over is 8-1-1 in Charlotte’s last ten games.
Portland has been without C.J. McCollum, but they have scored 113, 111, and 116 points in their last three games without him. Four of the last five Hornets-Trail Blazers games have seen the total go Over. There’s a reason why the total is set at 225.5.
