Do you like points? Because today’s edition of NBA Picks and Predictions is chalk full of points (and point guards to boot). Well, point totals to be precise, including that of Collin Sexton and the undefeated Cleveland Cavaliers. Yes, you read that right.
Can Sexton continue his breakout year while providing NBA bettors some value? Let's find out as we dive into the pro basketball odds, giving you our favorite NBA free picks and predictions for Tuesday, December 29.
NBA Picks for Today
Indiana Pacers vs Boston Celtics
The Pacers have gotten off to a fantastic start this season, winning all three of their games to this point, covering the spread in each. Indiana has gotten great balance when it comes to scoring, with four players averaging 15 points or more. But none have gotten off to a better start than Domantas Sabonis, and he’ll look to stay hot when the Pacers play the Celtics for the second time in as many games.
Sabonis is currently leading the Pacers in scoring (24.3), rebounds (11) and assists (7) per game and he’ll look to feast on a Boston defense that has struggled early on this season. The Celtics are currently allowing opponents to shoot 52 percent from the field, which is dead last in the NBA, and rank 29th in defensive rating.
When these teams last met just back on Sunday, Sabonis went 8-18 from the field for 19 points, while adding 10 boards and five assists. Those 19 points were his lowest output of the season, so that makes you think his points total for this matchup is a touch too low.
PREDICTION: Domantas Sabonis Over 18.5 Points (-115)
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Golden State Warriors at Detroit Pistons
With Draymond Green sidelined for now, poor Stephen Curry has looked all alone during the Warriors' first three games this season. Luckily, that was enough last time out against the Bulls. Curry went off for 36 points on 11-25 shooting with six assists in a 129-128 victory over Chicago, and he’ll try to carry that over into tonight’s game against the Pistons.
The Pistons are playing their second game in as many nights, and are coming off a 128-120 loss to the Hawks. Blake Griffin and Derrick Rose should be back after getting the night off yesterday, but neither are known as great defenders, and the Pistons have had their hands full with guards this season.
Trae Young put up 29 points on the Pistons last night, and the game before that they allowed the Cavaliers' guard combo of Collin Sexton and Darius Garland dropped 53 on them. The Pistons also rank 22nd in opponent 3-point percentage, and even though Curry is coming off his best game of the season, he still hasn’t really had a great shooting game yet.
If he can carry that momentum over into this game, Steph could really start to heat up. And when Steph is hot, look out.
PREDICTION: Stephen Curry Over 27.5 Points (-110)
New York Knicks vs Cleveland Cavaliers
It only seems appropriate that as 2020 draws to a close (we hope), that the Cleveland Cavaliers are one of the lone remaining unbeaten teams in the NBA this season. The Cavs will look to improve to 4-0 SU/ATS when they host the New York Knicks Tuesday night.
The Cavs have been surprising on all fronts through their first handful of games this season. Cleveland ranks third in scoring and field goal percentage, and first in 3-point shooting percentage. But they're also getting it done on the defensive end, ranking second in defensive rating.
Cleveland is led by its dynamic duo in the backcourt – Collin Sexton and Darius Garland, but so far it looks like Sexton is on the verge of a breakout year. The third-year guard out of Alabama is averaging 27 points while shooting 59.3 precent from the floor, while adding 3.7 assists, and 2.3 rebounds per game this season.
Sexton wore out Charlotte and Detroit, putting up 27 and 32 points respectively, before putting on an efficient performance against the 76ers were he dropped 22 points on 8-15 shooting. That makes his point total too tempting to pass up.
PREDICTION: Collin Sexton Over 22.5 Points (-115)
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 (+0.7 units)
Season record to date: 9-3 (+5.21 units)
NBA Betting Card for December 29
- Domantas Sabonis Over 18.5 Points (-115)
- Stephen Curry Over 27.5 Points (-110)
- Collin Sexton Over 22.5 Points (-115)
NBA Parlays
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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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