The surprising Dallas Mavericks continue their run in the Western Conference, currently sitting in third place. They are 4 ½ games behind the Los Angeles Lakers, who are dominating the competition with that combination of LeBron James and Anthony Davis. The coldest team in the West right now is the New Orleans Pelicans, losers of eight in a row as they still await the arrival of Zion Williamson. The Golden State Warriors are still in the West basement, though, as they are still waiting for their key players to return from injury. In the Eastern Conference, the Milwaukee Bucks still lead the standings — and they have a 14-game winning streak going. The New York Knicks are in the basement, losers of nine in a row, as they have become the first coach in the 2019-20 campaign to fire their head coach. The Boston Celtics are a pleasant surprise, getting a much better start to the season from Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum this year. Planning on NBA betting action this week? Don’t miss our top sports betting picks.
Top NBA Betting Picks of the Week – December 9th Edition
Kemba Walker and the Celtics are climbing in our latest NBA Power Rankings ☘️
Full ranks: https://t.co/9WlkX8ZZe2 pic.twitter.com/BnIPLOOuAx — ESPN (@espn) December 9, 2019
Tuesday, December 10th
Washington at Charlotte (7:00 pm ET)
Washington has lost two in a row and five of six, as they followed up a home win over the Philadelphia 76ers with losses to the Miami Heat and the L.A. Clippers. In that setback against Los Angeles on Sunday night, the Wizards had no defensive answers for Kawhi Leonard (34 points, 11 boards) or Paul George (27 points). The Wizards only got 20 points out of their top scorer, Bradley Beal, as he went just 5 for 18 from the floor. Davis Bertans did come off the bench to put up 25 points, as he nailed six three-pointers, and Troy Brown Jr set a career best with 20 points.
Now the Wizards visit Charlotte, winners of just one of their last five — and with a 1-3 record to start this homestand. Their lone win came over Golden State and has been followed by losses to the Brooklyn Nets and the Atlanta Hawks. In that loss to Atlanta, Miles Bridges and P.J. Washington each put up 20 points, but Charlotte did not have the defense to stop the Hawks, who won by 15. Washington left the game during the fourth period in a precautionary measure as he rolled an ankle driving to the baskets. Charlotte has the talent to hold off the Wizards at home — but check that injury report on Washington before you lock in your final bets.
NBA Betting Prediction: Charlotte 108, Washington 102
Denver at Philadelphia (8:00 pm ET, TNT)
The Denver Nuggets still lead the Northwest Division, but they have dropped four of five, including two of three on this East Coast road swing. They beat the hapless Knicks but since have lost to the Boston Celtics and the Brooklyn Nets. On Sunday, the Nets edged Denver by three points, 105-102. In that game, Jamal Murray had an open look at a three, but he missed it from the wing as the buzzer sounded. Nikola Jokic put up 24 points and 11 boards, and Murray had 21 points. However, Denver could not stop Spencer Dinwiddie, who simply kept driving to the hoop.
Philadelphia has won two in a row and six of seven, following up that loss to Washington with a 47-point home win over the Cleveland Cavaliers and a six-point win over the Toronto Raptors. That victory over the defending NBA champs came on Sunday, behind 26 points from Tobias Harris and a career-best 20 points from rookie Matisse Thybulle. Philadelphia has now won 12 games in a row at Wells Fargo Center. Ben Simmons was an assist away from a triple-double, putting up 16 points and 11 boards. The game did get scary down the stretch, as the 76ers led by 20 with 6:30 left in the fourth period, but then they turned the ball over seven times in the waning minutes. Joel Embiid had seven of the team’s 17 turnovers. Given the struggles Denver is having, the 76ers should extend their home winning streak.
NBA Betting Prediction: Philadelphia 111, Denver 106
