The league is experiencing more 10-day contracts and roster moves than ever in order to put together enough players to keep the NBA season on schedule due to the recent COVID outbreaks. This outbreak compounded by player injuries have many teams desperate to fill the voids. Take your time to understand the roster adjustments as there are matchup advantages to dig into. NBA Wednesday offers us a six games slate. Let’s dive into the best bets to make tonight and overall NBA betting tips for Wednesday, Dec. 22.
Best NBA Betting Picks Tonight | Dec. 22
Rockets vs. Bucks
The Houston Rockets travel to Milwaukee on Wednesday to take on the 19-13 Bucks. The Rockets have had a season of runs going from losing 15 straight games followed up by eight consecutive wins. Since then Houston has come back to Earth, losing five of its last seven games and dropping to 10-21 on the season. The Bucks have felt the impact of injuries/COVID, losing three of their last four games.
Milwaukee will get some of its star power back on Wednesday, with Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton both expected to play. Wesley Matthews will be available as well after clearing the league’s health and safety protocols. Unfortunately, the Bucks will still be without Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bobby Portis and Donte DiVincenzo, as all three are in the protocol. The Bucks average 110 points (ninth) on 14.2 3-pointers per game (fifth). Milwaukee’s defense ranks top 10 in defense efficiency and grabs 55 rebounds per game, fourth most in the league. Houston leads the league in turnovers with 17 a game. The Bucks will look to take advantage of Houston’s turnover woes by pushing the tempo and using the Rockets’ mistakes to rack up points on the fast break.
Houston will be without Jalen Green for one more game, as the team announced he expected to make his return to action on Thursday against the Pelicans. Christian Wood is questionable on the front end of a back-to-back after recently returning from a knee injury. Kevin Porter Jr. will continue to be held out of the lineup as he recovers from a thigh injury. Houston ranks last in defensive rating over the last five games, allowing teams to score an average of 121.2 points per game.
The Rockets have not been competitive as late outside of a win over Detroit. Houston’s last three losses have come by 13 or more points. The Bucks have had success at home on the season, holding a 10-5 record. While they have struggled to cover at home, expect a different focus tonight, as they will look to avoid losing three straight. Even though the Bucks will be without Giannis, the return of Middleton and Holiday will prove to be enough to cover the points and come out victorious on Wednesday against a banged-up Rockets squad.
Best Bet for Tonight’s Game: Milwaukee Bucks -9.5
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Raptors vs. Bulls
Update: This game has been postponed.
Toronto was hit hard with the COVID news this week and will be up for a major challenge against a talented Chicago Bulls team. The Raptors will be without Fred VanVleet, Gary Trent Jr., Scottie Barnes, Malachi Flynn and Precious Achiuwa, who all entered the leagues health and safety protocols. The Raptors are left with O.G. Anunoby, who just returned after a 13-game absence. Anunoby and company will have themselves a challenge going up against one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference.
The Bulls are second in the Eastern Conference with a 19-10 record and winners of seven out of their last 10 games. The Bulls will look to defend their home court where they are 10-4 on the season. Alex Caruso and Derrick Jones Jr. will be sidelined on Wednesday dealing with injuries. The biggest piece of the roster that will be missing is Zach LaVine, who is averaging 26 points per game on 49% shooting from the field. The Bulls are averaging 111.1 points per game at home while allowing opponents 105.4 points per game.
Toronto is coming off an impressive 119-100 win at home against the Warriors. Tonight its roster has dwindled down to seven regular players and some emergency replacement players. Even though the Raptors offense has been successful putting up points in their last four games, they will be without four of their top five scorers in tonight’s matchup, posing a challenge against a stout Bulls defense. With Siakam out of the lineup tonight, Chicago’s Nikola Vucevic will have plenty of room to work down low and impose his force on a weak Raptors frontcourt.
Chicago is 18-11 against the spread and 9-5 against the spread at home. The Raptors are 14-15 against the spread on the season. Toronto will struggle to find offensive production in this one without VanVleet, Barnes and Siakam in tonight’s matchup. DeMar DeRozan will be looking to impress against his former team that traded him away to the Spurs back in 2018. When factoring in homecourt advantage, roster strength and momentum, the Bulls have all the necessary advantages to pull off the win and cover on Wednesday.
Best Bet for Tonight’s Game: Chicago Bulls -10.5
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