Thursday’s NBA slate is loaded with 13 games on the docket.
The latest: The Minnesota Timberwolves host Karl-Anthony Towns and the New York Knicks for the first time since this October’s blockbuster trade. Elsewhere, the Chicago Bulls travel to Boston to take on the defending champions Celtics.
Check out our basketball betting lines and NBA schedule for Dec. 19.
NBA schedule: Dec. 19
Visit all of tonight’s NBA markets. Click on game odds below to bet now.
Charlotte Hornets vs. Washington Wizards
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Orlando Magic
Utah Jazz vs. Detroit Pistons
Brooklyn Nets vs. Toronto Raptors
Chicago Bulls vs. Boston Celtics
Atlanta Hawks vs. San Antonio Spurs
Golden State Warriors vs. Memphis Grizzlies
New Orleans Pelicans vs. Houston Rockets
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Dallas Mavericks
Indiana Pacers vs. Phoenix Suns
New York Knicks vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
Denver Nuggets vs. Portland Trail Blazers
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Sacramento Kings
Betting insights
- The Thunder travel to Orlando as the road favourite to take on the Magic. OKC has dominated this head-to-head matchup, winning seven of the last 10 games while covering in eight. The Thunder have the fourth-best ATS record at 16-9-0, while the Magic are 3-7-0 ATS as underdogs this season.
- Boston has the fourth-worst ATS record (10-16-0) despite its 21-5 record. Chicago covered the +12 spread the last time these teams met on Nov. 29, but Boston covered in the previous three meetings. The Bulls are hopeful Zach LaVine (back) will return to the lineup after missing Monday’s game against Toronto.
- The Raptors host the Nets in an Atlantic Division showdown. Toronto will still be without Scottie Barnes (ankle) and Immanuel Quickley (elbow). Brooklyn is 7-1 against Toronto in the last eight games and covered the spread in six. The Raps, however, have the second-best ATS record in the NBA (18-8-1.
- Towns returns to Minnesota to play the Timberwolves for the first time since being traded back in October. The Knicks centre is having a tremendous season, averaging nearly 25 points and 14 boards per game. Expect a close game as both teams have a top-10 net rating, with aspirations of making deep playoff runs this season.
- Portland looks to avoid a seventh straight loss as it hosts Denver. The Nuggets are rounding into form, having won three straight and six of their last 10 heading into Thursday’s game. Denver has won seven straight against Portland. As long as MVP front-runner Nikola Jokic is in the lineup, Denver’s streak should continue.
