NBA Best Bets Today: Can Spurs Upset? Plus Predictions for Mikal Bridges and Nets-Clippers

The NBA Best Bets columns is HOT, as we've gone 10-5 since Dec. 21, and looking to continue the streak in tonight's picks.

I'm looking at the Brooklyn Nets as a road favorite against the banged up Los Angeles Clippers, and I think there is some value in the San Antonio Spurs-Utah Jazz game with Donovan Mitchell out of the lineup.

Plus, Mikal Bridges has one of my favorite props of the year in tonight's game against the Memphis Grizzlies.

Let's get into Dec. 27's picks!

All odds courtesy of WynnBET Sportsbook.

NBA Best Bets Record to Date

• NBA Best Bets Record: 65-74-2

NBA Best Bets Today

• Brooklyn Nets -3.5 vs. Los Angeles Clippers (-110)
• San Antonio Spurs +7 vs. Utah Jazz (-110)
• San Antonio Spurs Moneyline vs. Utah Jazz (+240)
• Mikal Bridges OVER 11.5 Points (-125)

Brooklyn Nets vs. Los Angeles Clippers: Nets -3.5 (-110)

The Los Angeles Clippers fell to 3-4 on the season without Paul George on Sunday, as they were unable to take down the Denver Nuggets and Nikola Jokic at home. 

Now, Los Angeles faces the Brooklyn Nets and James Harden on the second night of a back-to-back on Monday. 

With key players like Kevin Durant and George out of the lineup, this game is more about who is available. 

The Clippers are really a weak team without George or Leonard, as they are relying on Marcus Morris, Luke Kennard, Eric Bledsoe and Reggie Jackson to lead the way with George out. 

Brooklyn and Harden should not have much trouble in this game, especially considering the Clippers are on a back-to-back after a close loss last night. 

Utah Jazz vs. San Antonio Spurs: Spurs +7 (-110) and Spurs Moneyline (+240)

The two best players in this game will be out of the lineup for their respective teams, as Donovan Mitchell (back) and Dejounte Murray (health and safety protocols) are both listed as out. 

The Spurs have won three straight games by 24 or more points, yet oddsmakers aren’t giving them much respect against a Jazz team that is down its leading scorer on Monday. 

San Antonio is one of the NBA’s better teams against the spread this season, going 19-13, and it is 9-7 against the spread at home this season. 

I don’t trust Utah’s offense as much with Mitchell out, and I think the Spurs showed that Keldon Johnson, Derrick White and others are more than capable of filling the void for Murray. 

I think San Antonio is live to upset a Utah team that just scraped by the Dallas Mavericks, who were without Luka Doncic, on Christmas Day. 

Mikal Bridges OVER 11.5 Points (-125)

There are several reasons why I love the over on this prop for Mikal Bridges on Monday, but first let's start with the Phoenix Suns aspect. 

Phoenix is going to be without forward Jae Crowder due to the league’s health and safety protocols, which naturally opens up a bigger role for Bridges on offense. He’s already averaging 12.3 points per game this season, but Bridges was even better without Crowder last year. 

During the 2020-21 season, Bridges averaged 15.4 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game in the 12 games that Jae Crowder missed. As long as he gets his season average tonight, he will hit on this prop. 

Now, let’s look at the Memphis side, as the Grizzlies will be without Dillon Brooks on Monday. Memphis is a much worse team defensively when he’s out this season. 

This is lining up for a great spot for Bridges, and I think he easily hits the over against Memphis.