NBA Betting Top Games in Week 9 | At the start of the 2024-25 NBA season, the Milwaukee Bucks, normally one of the top Eastern Conference contenders, looked lost.
After they put the clamps on the Oklahoma City Thunder (20-5) in the NBA Cup Final, though, they don’t look lost anymore.
With eight wins in their last ten games, the Bucks are now back in the winning column at 14-11.
The 97-81 win over the Thunder turned the clock back as Milwaukee brought the sort of physicality that the Eastern Conference used to be known for.
It also helped that the Thunder went just 5 of 32 from downtown, but a lot of those misses were due to defenders putting hands in the faces of shooters.
The Bucks have climbed to fifth in the East, still eight games behind the conference-leading Cleveland Cavaliers, but they’ve put the rest of the league on notice that they are ready to contend.
As we near the weekend, don’t miss our top sports betting picks from Thursday’s action in the Association.
NBA Betting Top Games in Week 9 | 2024/25 Season
Golden State Warriors (+4.5) at Memphis Grizzlies (O/U 236.5)
When: December 19, 8:00 pm ET
Memphis and the Warriors will face off at the FedEx Forum on Thursday night. Memphis is in second place in the Western Conference and has won eight of its last ten games, while the Warriors are 14-11 and dropped to seventh place. The Grizzlies, who lost to the Lakers, are still a strong team with Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. contributing over 20 points.
However, the team could not overcome a 30-20 deficit after the first quarter. Despite the loss, the team is happy with the play of Jackson, who is putting up 22 points per game and hitting a career-best 51.8% of his shots, making life easier for Morant by taking defensive pressure off him. Returning home should also help the Grizzlies, as they have won seven in a row in front of their home fans and have a 12-3 record overall in their own gym this season. They’ve matched their 18-9 straight-up record by going 18-9 against the spread and lead the league in scoring (122.1 points per game).
Three-pointers
The Warriors have lost eight of ten games, most recently to the Dallas Mavericks 143-133 at home. Despite 20 points from Draymond Green, Steph Curry, Jonathan Kuminga, and Andrew Wiggins, the Warriors struggled to catch up, despite an NBA record 48 three-pointers combined. The Mavericks had a 46-33 lead after the first quarter.
The Warriors have brought Dennis Schroder west from Brooklyn via trade, which should take pressure off Curry in the offense. Given that the Warriors rank just 13th in scoring (113.9 points per game), any boost to the offense will be welcome at this point. I don’t expect Schroder to make up the whole difference on his first night with the team, though.
NBA Top Pick: Grizzlies to win and cover.
^L.A. Clippers (+6.5) at Dallas Mavericks (O/U 227.5)
When: December 19, 8:30 pm ET
Both teams are scoring at a high rate right now – the Mavericks dropped 143 on the Warriors on Monday, and the Clippers just lit up the scoreboard against Utah with 144 points. James Harden had 41 against the Jazz as he continues to show that he can lead offenses. His ability to shoot, draw fouls, and distribute makes him a dangerous player against any defense.
The Clippers, with their strong rebounds and scoring depth, could challenge a Dallas frontcourt with the additions of Daniel Gafford, P.J. Washington, and Dereck Lively II. On defense, they face Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic, but have a strong defense for applying pressure and generating turnovers. Kawhi Leonard, though questionable, could be a valuable lockdown defender if he appears.
The Mavericks are glad to have Doncic back after an early injury, and he is a key factor in the 10 wins the Mavs have posted in their last 11 contests. He has tended to start hot early and get the Mavericks out to an early lead, giving way to Irving after the intermission.
Irving’s hot shooting, especially in the fourth quarter, has upset several opponents this season. The Clippers’ ability to play inside-out and find Lively and Gafford for easy baskets will test their perimeter pressure.
NBA Top Pick: Mavericks to win and cover.
^N.Y. Knicks (+2.5) at Minnesota Timberwolves (O/U 214.5)
When: December 19, 9:30 pm ET, TNT
The Knicks (16-10) sit in third place in the East and are enjoying the explosiveness that the offseason acquisition of Karl-Anthony Towns has brought to their offense. Scoring 116.4 points per game, the Knicks are getting another terrific season out of guard Jalen Brunson, and as a team the Knicks are making 39.4% of their shots from downtown. Adding Towns means that any defense has three solid scorers to stop – Brunson, Towns and OG Anunoby. The way that the Knicks were able to use ball distribution in an emphatic win over Denver showed up on the stat sheet where they tied a team record with 45 assists.
Minnesota (14-11) is clinging to eighth place in the West, but they have won three games in a row at home en route to an 8-4 record in front of their hometown fans, and they have an intrepid defense, permitting just 105.6 points per game. This will be a showdown between the Knicks’ high-octane approach to offense and the Timberwolves’ desire to slow the game down to a grinding pace.
With Anthony Edwards, Rudy Gobert, and Jaden McDaniels, this team has a strong inside-out trio that offers scoring, rebounding, and rim protection. Edwards scores 26. 2 points per game, while McDaniels makes crucial shots and aids in distribution. Their impressive depth includes Julius Randle and Mike Conley off the bench. Slowing the game’s pace could lead to a win.
NBA Top Pick: Knicks to cover.
^L.A. Lakers (+5.5) at Sacramento Kings (O/U 232.5)
When: December 19, 10:00 pm ET
The Sacramento Kings (13-14) face the Lakers (14-12) as both teams fight to stay in playoff contention in the Western Conference. The Kings lost to Denver by one point, and the Lakers have lost six of their last ten games. Anthony Davis is having a strong season, averaging 27. 8 points and 11. 2 rebounds per game.
His rim protection and frontcourt offensive presence are elite, as he showed on Monday against Memphis, when he dropped 40 on the Grizz. LeBron James is back from an extended period of personal leave, so his fresh legs should contribute going forward.
The Kings lost a nailbiter in their last time out and could have Kevin Huerter and Keegan Murray on the shelf due to injuries. Their contributions primarily come on defense off the bench, but the Lakers do well when they can exploit mismatches, so missing those two could be key. The Lakers beat the Kings in their last showdown.
NBA Top Pick: Lakers to cover.
^NBA STANDINGS UPDATE ‼️
— NBA (@NBA) December 17, 2024
▪️ CLE improves to 23-4
▪️ DEN remains 5th in West
Download the NBA App for more: https://t.co/pBKIAWOrdI pic.twitter.com/W8XTtvrkpQ
Bet NBA Finals Today
Xbet Betting Lines for the Game
NBA Betting Top Games in Week 9, 2024/25 Season
Love betting NBA? | Xbet Sportsbook offers up to date NBA lines
