NBA Best Bets Today: Predictions for Sixers-Celtics, Jrue Holiday and More

Welcome to December, NBA fans!

After a high-quality NBA primetime slate delivered two of the best games of the year, we start the new month with a nine-game night on tap Wednesday. 

There isn’t a single double-digit favorite at WynnBET for tonight’s slate, but I still have an underdog pick as part of tonight’s picks. 

A high-octane game could break out between the Charlotte Hornets and Milwaukee Bucks, while the Cleveland Cavaliers and Evan Mobley just keep finding ways to cover the spread this season. 

However, only one of those matchups makes Wednesday’s best bets. That’s right! We’re getting into the real nitty gritty with tonight’s picks, including a player prop for Jrue Holiday in the Bucks-Hornets clash.

All odds courtesy of WynnBET Sportsbook.

NBA Best Bets Record to Date

• NBA Best Bets Record: 32-40-1 (-10.3534 units)

NBA Best Bets Today

• Philadelphia 76ers (+4.5) vs. Boston Celtics (-110)
• Houston Rockets-Oklahoma City Thunder UNDER 215.0 (-110)
• Jrue Holiday OVER 15.5 Points (-125)

Philadelphia 76ers vs. Boston Celtics: Sixers +4.5 (-110)

The Philadelphia 76ers welcomed Joel Embiid back to the lineup last week and look to upset the Boston Celtics in Boston on Wednesday. 

Philadelphia is just 11-10 on the season after an 8-2 start, but they’ll have a chance to rebound against a Celtics team (11-10) that has been as inconsistent as they come this season. 

Celtics star Jaylen Brown (injury management) is questionable for this game, and Boston’s offense will be significantly worse if he is unable to go. 

The Sixers are just 1-1 with Embiid back in the lineup and 0-2 against the spread, but they are one of the best road teams against the spread this season, going 7-4. 

Boston, on the other hand, is just 4-5 against the spread at home. The Celtics have a strong defense (fifth in defensive rating), but I question how much resistance Robert Williams and Al Horford will provide on a healthy Embiid. 

I’ll take the Sixers with the points and might sprinkle on the moneyline in hopes that Brown gets ruled out.

BONUS PICK: Sixers Moneyline (+170)

Houston Rockets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder: UNDER 214.5 (-110)

I thought the Thunder would pull off the upset in Houston on Monday, but Kevin Porter Jr. and Christian Wood led the Rockets to their third straight win and fourth on the season. That leaves the season series between these two teams at one game apiece, so who wins the rubber match on Wednesday?

As good as the Thunder have been against the spread this season (13-7), they burned me on Monday and I’m not sure if I can go back to them as a favorite tonight. 

OKC is 7-3 against the spread at home this season, but Houston isn’t dreadful on the road (5-5-1 ATS) so far this season. I say all this to say, let’s look at the total in this game. 

Both of these teams struggle on offense, OKC is 30th in offensive rating and Houston is 28th, yet the total is still set at 215.0 in this game. Over the Thunder's last 15 games, 13 of them have gone below this number, including both of their games against Houston. 

As for the Rockets, they are 13-7 on unders this season. OKC is slightly better at 14-6. There aren’t going to be many points scored in this game. 

Jrue Holiday OVER 15.5 Points (-125)

Jrue Holiday has played well as of late, scoring 16 or more points in his last four games and pushing his season average up to 14.8 points per game. 

Holiday was injured in the Bucks’ first game of the season, so while it has taken him some time to get his footing, he’s gone over this number in seven of his last 10. Tonight, the Bucks play a Hornets team that allows the most points per game in the NBA while playing at the league’s third quickest pace. 

This is going to be a track meet, as evidenced by the total at 231.5. Jrue should be able to get his for Milwaukee.