Top NBA Picks and Predictions Today (Knicks Extend Streak, Fade Lakers)
By Peter Dewey
If you’re betting on the NBA, you have a ton of options on Wednesday night with 22 teams in action.
To make a quick pick, I’ve narrowed down two of my favorite bets for the night’s slate, looking at the games involving the Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks.
You can also find the best odds for every game tonight here.
Let’s dive into the top picks for Wednesday, Dec. 21:
Toronto Raptors vs. New York Knicks Odds, Prediction and Pick
The Knicks have won eight straight games heading into a home matchup against the Toronto Raptors, who are one of the worst road teams in the NBA.
Toronto is just 3-12 straight up on the road, yet this is a short line for a Knicks team in the second leg of a back-to-back. The bright side? New York rest its starters in the fourth quarter of a blowout win over the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday night.
New York is 21-9-1 against the spread in the second leg of back-to-backs since Tom Thibodeau took over as the team’s head coach, going 3-1-1 this season.
Plus, the Knicks are No. 1 in net rating and defensive rating in their last 10 games, while the Raptors have lost six straight. Could this be a trap? Maybe.
But the Knicks are playing too well right now for me to fade them against a terrible road team.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Sacramento Kings Odds, Prediction and Pick
If there’s one trend to follow in this game, it’s the Lakers’ awful against the spread record as road underdogs this season.
Los Angeles is just 3-10 ATS in that spot, and now it has to take on a strong Sacramento Kings team without Anthony Davis.
Both of these teams are top five in the NBA in pace, but the Kings are sixth in offensive rating while the Lakers rank just 21st.
Domantas Sabonis is questionable for this game, but if he plays the Kings should roll against a questionable Lakers supporting cast.
Find Peter Dewey’s full betting record here.
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.