NBA Daily Bests Bets for Tuesday Dec. 30th
Summary
The Philadelphia 76ers aim to end a three-game skid against the Memphis Grizzlies. Joel Embiid’s expected return should boost the struggling 76ers offense, while the Grizzlies are coming off a disappointing loss and have a poor home record. The prediction favors Philadelphia to win outright.
In other games, the Boston Celtics and Utah Jazz are expected in a high-scoring affair, with Boston’s strong three-point shooting facing Utah’s league-worst defense. The Detroit Pistons visit the Los Angeles Lakers, who are tipped to cover as home underdogs. Finally, the hot Los Angeles Clippers, led by Kawhi Leonard, are heavy favorites against the struggling Sacramento Kings.
Philadelphia 76ers vs Memphis Grizzlies 8:00 p.m. EST
| Spread | ML | Total | |
| 76ers | PK (-110) | -110 | O233 (-110) |
| Grizzlies | PK (-110) | -110 | U233 (-110) |
Philadelphia 76ers (16-14)
The 76ers are looking to stop a 3-game losing streak in Memphis. Philadelphia is 7-6 on the road and struggles against weaker opponents, 6-11 vs teams over .500, with the Grizzlies just around that mark. Joel Embiid is expected back in the lineup after missing Sunday’s game and
Should add the missing spark. Tyrese Maxey is third in the NBA, averaging 30.7 PPG while adding 6.9 assists.
Memphis Grizzlies (15-17)
After a 2-game winning streak, the Grizzlies collapsed in the fourth quarter to lose to the lowly Wizards on Sunday, their second loss to Washington in a week. Still, Memphis has played well in its recent ten games, going 6-4 and averaging 119 points per game. They’ve held opponents to 113.4 points per game. Jaren Jackson Jr. and Ja Morant continue to lead the way, averaging 18.5 and 21 points, respectively, in that stretch.
Injuries
Grizzlies: John Konchar: out (thumb), Vince Williams Jr.: out (knee), Scotty Pippen Jr.: out (toe), Jock Landale: out (calf), Zach Edey: out (ankle), Ty Jerome: out (calf), Brandon Clarke: out (calf).
76ers: Trendon Watford: day to day (thigh), Joel Embiid: day to day (ankle), Kelly Oubre Jr.: day to day (knee).
Prediction
The 76ers have been struggling to score just 104 points a game over the last three (all losses). But with Embiid returning, it will add the spark offensively, and the Grizzlies aren’t great at home, just 7-8 this season. Philly gets back on track. BEST BET: 76ers ML
Boston Celtics vs Utah Jazz 9:00 p.m. EST
| Spread | ML | Total | |
| Celtics | -7.5 (-110) | -310 | O240.5 (-110) |
| Jazz | +7.5 (-110) | +252 | U240.5 (-110) |
Boston Celtics (19-12)
Despite a loss to Portland, the Celtics are 11-4 over the last 15 games and sit third in the tough East. Jaylen Brown leads this team with 29.7 points, including shooting 37% from three-point land. Derrick White is a defensive spark with 1.4 steals and 1.3 blocked shots per game. Â Boston is No. 2 in the league, allowing just 110.5 points per game.
Utah Jazz (12-19)
While Utah scores 120.5 per game, fourth best overall, it allows the most points in the NBA (127.1).  The Jazz are allowing opponents to shoot 49.1%, 29th in the league. Lauri Markkanen has been great this season (27.9 PPG), and Jusuf Nurkic leads the team in rebounding (9.6). Utah will have to defend the 3-point shot as the Celtics are No. 3 in the NBA with 42.8 attempts per game.
Prediction
This game has all the makings of a shootout as Utah scores a lot but also gives up the most points. Boston is deadly beyond the arc, and if they get hot, Brown and White could light it up. Expect points in this one, take the over. BEST BET: OVER 240.5
Detroit Pistons vs Los Angeles Lakers 10:30 p.m. EST
| Spread | ML | Total | |
| Pistons | -2.5 (-110) | -135 | O231 (-110) |
| Lakers | +2.5 (-110) | +115 | U231 (-110) |
Detroit Pistons (24-8)
After winning seven of eight games, the Pistons have lost two straight on the road. Cade Cunningham leads Detroit, averaging 26.5 PPG and has scored at least 22 points in six of the last seven games, while Jalen Duren adds nearly 11 rebounds per game. The Pistons are tough on the road, 11-6 away from home. Detroit ranks fifth in the Eastern Conference with 32.6 defensive rebounds per game, led by Jalen Duren, averaging 6.6.
Los Angeles Lakers (20-10)
The Lakers snapped a three-game losing streak as Luka Doncic scored 34 points and LeBron James added 24 to beat the Kings on Sunday. Now they face the best team from the East. L.A. is without Austin Reaves, who is out with a calf injury. Still, the Lakers are tough at home, 12-5 this season.
Prediction
The Lakers need this one to establish themselves as one of the NBA’s elite, and nothing better than beating the No. 1 team from the East will do that. Luka and LeBron should outduel Cunningham and Duren in this one. Take the home team and take the free points. BEST BET: Lakers +2.5
Sacramento Kings vs Los Angeles Clippers 11:00 p.m. EST
| Spread | ML | Total | |
| Kings | +10 (-110) | +350 | O223 (-110) |
| Clippers | -10 (-110) | -450 | U223 (-110) |
Sacramento Kings (8-24)
The Kings aren’t a good basketball team, just 8 wins through 32 games, and have gone 3-7 in the last ten. Sacramento has eight players who average double-digits in points and is led by Zach LaVine (20.2) and DeMar DeRozan (18.8). The Kings allow 122.1 PPG, fourth most in the NBA.
Los Angeles Clippers (10-21)
While they have just ten wins, the Clippers are red-hot, winning four straight, including a big win against the Pistons, where Kawhi Leonard scored 55 points. Â Between Leonard and James Harden, the two average 54 points per game, and if they are slowed down, the Clippers have no chance.Â
Injuries
Clippers: Bradley Beal: out for season (hip), John Collins: out (illness), Bogdan Bogdanovic: out (hamstring), Ivica Zubac: out (ankle).
Kings: Drew Eubanks: out (thumb), Zach LaVine: out (ankle), Devin Carter: day to day (ankle), Keegan Murray: out (calf), Domantas Sabonis: out (knee).
Predictions
The Clippers are rolling while the Kings are moving closer to the NBA floor and struggle on the road, just 3-14. L.A. has found some new life led by Leonard and should make it five in a row here. BEST BET: Clippers -10
