As the NBA betting schedule gets back into full swing that means the return of back-to-back games and the dreaded term “load management.” But NBA bettors can find value when some players get some extra rest in.
Trae Young is one of those guys looking to take advantage as he tries to stay hot when he and the Atlanta Hawks host the Detroit Pistons, who are giving Blake Griffin the day off. But no off days for us as we dive into the pro basketball odds, giving you our favorite NBA free picks and predictions for Monday, December 28.
NBA Picks for Today
Detroit Pistons at Atlanta Hawks
The undefeated Atlanta Hawks (yes, you read that right) look to stay hot when they play their home opener against the winless Detroit Pistons.
Hawks are off to a 2-0 SU/ATS start thanks to some improved defensive play to this point. Oh, and the fact all-star guard Trae Young is off to blazing-hot start doesn’t hurt. Young has put up 37 and 36 points, respectively, in his first two games on 55.6-percent shooting, including a ridiculous 46.2 percent from three-point range.
Meanwhile, the Pistons have allowed nearly 120 points per game over their first two contests, and are coming off a matchup against the Cavaliers where they let guards Collin Sexton and Darius Garland combine for 53 points on 24-37 shooting from the floor.
Additionally, this is the second game of a back-to-back for the Pistons and they’ll be resting Blake Griffin and Derrick Rose for this matchup. We’re betting Young puts on a show in the home opener and notches 30-plus points for the third straight game.
PREDICTION: Trae Young Over 29.5 Points (-110)
Utah Jazz vs Oklahoma City Thunder
The Utah Jazz will bring their defensive brand of basketball to town when they visit the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Thunder are undefeated (albeit 1-0) after edging the Charlotte Hornets 109-107 on the road on Boxing Day. But if that game is a precursor to the rest of the season, the Thunder could have trouble scoring. The Thunder shot an ugly 27.3 percent from three-point range in that game and now they’ll have to deal with Rudy Gobert protecting the inside.
That could mean tough times for new Thunder center Al Horford. The former all-star didn’t look like he was a big part of the Thunder’s game plan in their opening game, making just one of his five shots for three points. It’s hard to envision Horford getting rolling against Gobert and the rest of that tenacious Jazz defense. We’re betting the Under on his slow start to continue.
PREDICTION: Al Horford Under 11.5 Points (-115)
Houston Rockets at Denver Nuggets
Even with seemingly half of the Rockets’ roster missing their opener due to COVID-19, James Harden and his remaining teammates were still able to put up 126 points (113 in regulation) against the Trail Blazers.
The Rockets got off to a good start in that game, putting up 31 points in the first quarter and keeping up with the trend from last season which saw them rank fifth in the NBA in first-quarter scoring at 29.3 points per game. Now, they play a Nuggets team that has struggled on the defensive end through the first couple of games. Denver ranks 25th in both scoring defense and opponent field goal percentage.
The Nuggets also still haven’t found their groove on offense yet this season, but are averaging 28.5 first-quarter points per contest. The fast pace of the Rockets should give the usual slow-paced Nuggets a few more possessions as well. Those numbers have us thinking the first-quarter total is ripe for the picking.
PREDICTION: Over 56.6 First Quarter Total (-120)
Top NBA Consensus for Today
Want to know who today's biggest NBA betting and consensus bets are right now? Check out our top NBA consensus picks.
Yesterday's picks: 2-1 (+0.82 units)
Season record to date: 7-2 (+4.51 units)
NBA Betting Card for December 28
- Trae Young Over 29.5 Points (-110)
- Al Horford Under 11.5 Points (-115)
- Over 56.6 First Quarter Total (-120)
NBA Parlays
Did you know that if you parlayed today’s NBA betting picks, you could win $55.43 on a $10 bet?
Use our NBA parlay calculator to create your own parlays and see their potential payouts.
Where Can I Bet on the NBA?
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