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NBA Betting: Daily Odds & Predictions for Dec. 14

Sara Jane Gamelli 4120 December 14, 2023 No Comments

Written and edited by

Sara Jane Gamelli

There are seven games on the NBA slate tonight, beginning at 7:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. ET. With several key matchups in the Eastern and Western Conferences, how will Golden State fare against the Clippers without Draymond Green? Can the young Oklahoma City Thunder team retain the No. 2 seed in the West? In this article, I am picking my four favorite NBA plays of the day. You can take them single, or group into a parlay, your choice. Here you will find the NBA betting odds, stats, trends, player prop bets, and predictions for Thursday, Dec. 14.

NBA Daily Game Odds for 12/14

*Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook

  • Cavaliers (+320) @ Celtics (-9) (-410): O/U 225.5
  • Bulls (+145) @ Heat (-4)(-175): O/U 217
  • Timberwolves (+102) @ Mavericks (-1.5) (-122): O/U 230.5
  • Nets (+320) @ Nuggets (-9.5) (-410): O/U 230
  • Thunder (+105) @ Kings (-1.5) (-125): O/U 244
  • Jazz (+140) @ Trail Blazers (-3.5)(-166)
  • Warriors (+180) @ Clippers (-5.5) (-218): O/U 231

NBA Favorite Bet #1: OKC Thunder +5.5

The Oklahoma City Thunder (15-7, 7-3 away) will matchup against the Sacramento Kings (13-9, 7-3 home) on the road tonight. Ranked as the No. 2 seed behind Minnesota in the Western Conference, the Thunder have a 53.1 % chance to win this matchup, according to ESPN Analytics. 4-1 in their last five matchups, the Thunder are coming off a 134-120 victory over the Utah Jazz at home. While they were outscored by the Jazz 45-23 in the final quarter, Oklahoma City had a well balance attack on offense. Led by Shai Gilgeous Alexander (SGA) with 30 points, the Thunder had six players in double figures, including 16 points from Chet Holmgren. An excellent shooting night, this team finished 52.1 % from the field, 47.4 % from long range, and 94 % from the free-throw line.

The line was moved from +2 to +5.5

With the line originally at +2, I moved it slightly to +5.5, only because the Kings have court advantage. While the Thunder have an impressive record of 7-3 on the road, Golden 1 Center tends to be on the louder side. 7-3 in their last ten games, OKC is coming off two consecutive victories, against the Jazz, and the Golden State Warriors. With impressive wins over the Dallas Mavericks and the Los Angeles Lakers, the Thunder kept the spread close in a 127-123 loss against the Philadelphia 76ers.

Overall, the Thunder, led by Head Coach Mark Daigneault, are 15-7-0 against the spread this season. On the road, they are 7-3 against the spread, which plays a factor tonight. A young core that's so exciting to watch, have one of the best offenses in the NBA. Averaging 120 points per game, that puts the Thunder 5th overall in offense, just behind the 76ers. Leading the league in three-point percentage (39.1 %) and free-throw percentage (85.3%) , OKC remains a top three overall shooting team. This is in large part to SGA, who's putting up MVP type numbers. Behind is Jaylen Williams, Chet Holmgren, Josh Giddey, Lugentz Dort, and Isaiah Joe, who all average points in double figures.

Why I like the Thunder to cover +5.5 vs. the Kings

Along with their potent offense, OKC is a solid top 5 defensive team, and ranks third overall in Net Rating (7.6), just behind the 76ers and the Celtics. While the Kings hold the 6th seed in the West at 13-9, they are 5-5 in their last 10 games, and are 4-6 against the spread. Coming off a 119-99 loss against the Los Angeles Clippers, Sacramento couldn't cover the +3.5 point margin. 12-10-0 against the spread this season, the Kings 5-5 against the spread at home. Both teams coming off two days rest, the Thunder average 124 points in the last 10, compared to the Kings at 115.

The Kings are 9-1 in head-to-head matchups against the Thunder, including seven consecutive victories. In their first meeting of the season, Sacramento defeated the Thunder 105-98 at home, in which they covered the 1.5 point spread.

If you're betting on the NBA, the Thunder are one of the hottest teams in the league, and while I am not taking them to outright win this game on the road, they should be able to cover the +5.5 point differential. While the Kings are ranked 14th in points per game, which is drastically different from last season, they rank 20th overall in defensive efficiency (115).

NBA Favorite Bet #2: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 30 + Points and Assists

Season Stats PPG: 30.4 | FG: 55 % | 3 PT: 35.4 % | FT: 91.7 % | REB: 5.5 | AST: 6.2 | STL: 2.8 | BLK: 0.9

OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - DECEMBER 11: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder acknowledges a teammate after a basket during the first half against the Utah Jazz at Paycom Center on December 11, 2023 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joshua Gateley/Getty Images)

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, in his 6th year in the NBA, finds himself yet again in the MVP conversation. Averaging over 30 points and 5 assists, SGA is the go to scorer on a nightly basis. Having scored 30 plus points in three consecutive matchups, the guard is coming off a 30 point, 7 assist performance against the Utah Jazz. In 10 games on the road, No. 2 averages 30.7 points, 5.9 assists, and 48.3 percent from long distance.

Tonight, he faces a Kings team, who allow the 22nd most points per game (116.9). Not known as one of the superior defensive teams, the Kings allow teams to shoot nearly 38 % from the three-point line. While teams normally shoot very well in terms of field goal % against Sacramento (49 %), they are one of the worst teams in terms of defensive rebounding. A younger team, the Thunder play a faster pace ranking 6th overall, while the Kings are more middle of the road.

If you're betting on the NBA, Sacramento, led by Head Coach Mike Brown, have recently allowed Terrance Mann, Spender Dinwiddie, Steph Curry, and D'Angelo Russell all to hit over points and assists props. For SGA, he hit this prop in their last matchup, totalling 38 points and assists. By moving the line down, it has a better hit rate at 86 % this season, and 90 percent in the last 10 games. For a prop that hit the over 4 of the last 5 games, has an even better hit rate (90 %) on the road.

Stats courtesy of Props.Cash

Why I love this prop tonight

What's even more intriguing is SGA's hit rate for points and assists is 90 % when he plays at least 34.9 minutes per game. Averaging 34.7 minutes this season, the Thunder guard is coming off a 42 point game against the Warriors, and 38 against the Kings last matchup.

In one meeting against Sacramento, No. 2 averages 33 points, 5 assists, 2 blocks, 2 steals, on 56 percent three-pointer shooting. He's certainly a versatile guard that makes plays on both sides of the ball. If the Thunder can force turnovers tonight, I like this prop even more.

Lets not forget, he's been scorching hot the last ten games, putting up 32.2 points, 6.5 assists, 1 block and 2.9 steals. In those last ten, he's shooting nearly 60 % from the field in 35.1 minutes played. Look for him to take care of the scoring, while he has several options to distribute the ball to on the offensive end.

NBA Favorite Bet #3: Derrick White O.5 Blocks

Season Stats PPG: 15.5 | FG: 48.2 % | 3 PT: 38.2 % | FT: 85.3 % | REB: 3.8 | AST: 5.1  | STL: 1.1 | BLK: 0.9

I try not to be bias, but Derrick White is becoming one of my favorite players to bet on for Boston. With so much talent on the roster, it can sometimes be hard to bet on offensive props. Even with his time with the San Antonio Spurs, White was always a defensive minded guard. Averaging just under 1 block per game, White has become of the most consistent forces in Beantown, coming off 17 points, 2 block, and 1 steal performance against the Cavaliers. Tonight, the Celtics get the Cavaliers again at home, for their second consecutive matchup.

One part I love about D-White's game is his ability to turn defense into offense. Everywhere on the court, No. 9 gives his all on a nightly basis no matter who the opponent is. As someone that covers the Celtics, him and Jrue Holiday are a forced to be reckoned with in the backcourt.

If you're betting on the NBA, Derrick White having 1 + blocks hit in 74 % of games this season, including 70 percent of the last 10, and 4 of the last 5. 6 blocks in the last four games, White, who's listed at 6 foot 4, had two against Cleveland, and two versus New York. One way or another, White is always either creating turnovers or standing as a presence at the rim. For the Celtics, that's something that pride themselves on, defensive aggressiveness.

Stats courtesy of Props.Cash

Why D-White can hit this prop tonight

This year, Boston has an elite defense, ranking fourth in defensive rating (109.3), behind the Magic, Rockets, and Timberwolves. Ranking 6th in most steals per game, 6.7, White will face a Cavaliers team that allow teams to steal the ball 8.1 times a game. Additionally, Boston is a top 10 team in blocks per game (6), and Cleveland allows nearly 6 per game. Whether you take White for a block or steals, he's going to be all over the court tonight. Plus, he'll have the option of guarding Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell once again.

Hitting this prop in four consecutive games, Cleveland recently allowed SGA to hit this prop twice, along with guard Matisse Thybulle, of the Portland Trail Blazers. Hitting this prop 3 of the last 5 against Cleveland, White averages 1.1 blocks at the TD Garden, and 2 against Cleveland this season. Recently quoting the "Celtics are the best fans in the world," the home crowd should propel White and the Celtics, who are undefeated at home.

Looking stronger this season, No. 9 has struggled to score the ball against the Cavaliers. I love the 1+ blocks for tonight.

NBA BONUS Bet #4: Chet Holmgren 1+ Steals
Other bonus picks I like: Cleveland +10.5 vs. Celtics

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Sara Jane Gamelli is a full-time Sportswriter at Ballislife, and Sports Content Creator on Twitch and TikTok. She has a focus on the NBA, WNBA, NCAA Basketball, and the NFL. Sara Jane currently resides in Connecticut/NYC area with her Cat and Dog. SJ has her undergraduate degree from the University of Connecticut in Economics, with a minor in business administration.

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