NBA Picks for Today 12/04/24: NBA Predictions - Free Sports Picks, Predictions for Today's Best Bets by Expert Cappers

Los Angeles Lakers vs Miami Heat Prediction

Miami is coming off an 89-108 loss in Boston. The Heat have a 4-4 home record, but are 3-5 against the spread, with a +1-point differential. The Heat are 3-1 in their last 4 home games and are 6-4 to the over in their last 10 games. The Lakers are coming off an 80-109 loss in Minnesota. The Lakers have a 5-6 road record, but 3-8 against the spread, with a -7.1-point differential. The Lakers are 2-5 in their last 7 games, and 1-8 against the spread in their last 9. Under is 6-0 in their last 6 games.  The Heat are 6-2 in their last 8 overall meetings against the Lakers, and have won their last four meetings in Miami. Under is 4-0 in their last 4 meetings. Both teams are coming off 80-point games and the Lakers have been involved only in low scoring games recently, as they have scored 105 points or less in five of their last six games. I don’t expect the Heat to force this into a high-scoring game, so I’m taking the under in this one. Pick: Under 217

Orlando Magic vs Philadelphia 76ers Prediction

The Philadelphia 76ers (3-13) are hosting the Orlando Magic (11-7) in this Eastern Conference matchup. The 76ers have a 2-6 home record, while the Magic are 3-7 on the road. The 76ers are 3-7 against the spread in their last 10 games and are 3-1 to the over in their last 4 home games. The Magic have six consecutive wins and are 9-1 against the spread in their last 10. Over is 4-2 in their last 6. In their previous meeting earlier this season the Magic won 98-86 at home. The Sixers are 8-2 in their last 10 meetings against the Magic, and under is 4-2 in their last 6 meetings. Both teams are bottom-4 offensively, while the Magic have the best defense, allowing 103.1 points per game. Their previous meeting this season had just 184 total points, so expect another low scoring affair. Take the under. PICK: Under 207.5

Indiana Pacers vs Brooklyn Nets Prediction

The Brooklyn Nets (9-13) are hosting the Indiana Pacers (9-12) in this Eastern Conference matchup. The Nets have a 4-5 home record, while the Pacers are 2-9 on the road. The Nets have three consecutive losses and are 4-3 to the under in their last 7 games. The Pacers are 0-7-1 against the spread. Over is 8-2 in their last 10 games. The Pacers are 8-2 against the spread in their last 10 meetings against the Nets, and over is 6-3 in their last 9 meetings. The Pacers have not covered any of their last 8 games and have been terrible on the road with just two wins in 11 games. Take the Nets to cover at home. PICK: Brooklyn Nets +2.5

Detroit Pistons vs Boston Celtics Prediction

Boston is coming off a 108-89 win over Miami. The Celtics have an 8-2 home record but just 4-6 against the spread, with a +9-point differential. Boston is 8-1 in their last 9 games, but 2-6 against the spread in their last 8. Under is 4-2 in their last 6 games. The Pistons are coming off a 111-96 loss by Philadelphia. The Pistons have a 5-7 road record, but 6-5-1 against the spread, with a +0.9-point differential. The Pistons are 2-5 in their last 7 games, and 1-6 against the spread in their last 7. Over is 4-2 in their last 6 games.  In their previous meeting earlier this season, the Celtics won 124-118 at home, but did not cover the spread. The Celtics are 10-0 in their last 10 meetings against the Pistons, and are 6-2 against the spread in their last 8 meetings. Over is 4-2 in their last 6 meetings. I fully expect the Pistons to keep this somewhat close, so take the Detroit Pistons and lay the plus points on the road. Pick: Detroit Pistons +13.5

Atlanta Hawks vs Milwaukee Bucks Prediction

The Bucks are coming off a 124-114 win over Washington. The Bucks have an 8-3 home record, but are 4-6-1 against the spread, with a +6.5-point differential. The Bucks are 8-1 in their last 8 games, but are 2-3 against the spread in their last 5 home games. Over is 3-1 in their last 4 games, as they have scored 122+ points four of their last five games. The Hawks are coming off a 124-112 win over New Orleans. Atlanta has a 5-6 road record, and 5-6 against the spread, with a -4.4-point differential. The Hawks have four consecutive wins, and are 3-1 against the spread. Over is 4-2 in their last 6 games.  The Bucks led the Hawks 2-1 wins last season, and were 1-1 in their two meetings in Milwaukee. The Bucks are 3-1 against the spread in their last 4 meetings. Over is 3-1 in their last 4 meetings in Milwaukee. Both teams are 7-3 to the over in their last 10 games combined. I expect another high scoring affair in this game, so I’m taking the over the total. Pick: Over 236

Minnesota Timberwolves vs Los Angeles Clippers Prediction

The Clippers are coming off a 126-122 win over Denver. The Clips have an 8-4 home record and are 8-4 against the spread, with a +3.8-point differential. The Clippers are 7-2 in their last 9 games and 8-1 against the spread in their last 9. Under is 6-3 in their last 9 games.  The Timberwolves are coming off a 109-80 win over the Lakers. Minnesota has a 3-6 road record, and are 4-5 against the spread, with a -2.7-point differential. The Wolves are coming off back-to-back wins after having lost four straight games. Minnesota is 3-7 against the spread in their last 10 games. Under is 4-2 in their last 6 games. In their previous meeting earlier this season, the Wolves won 93-92 at home. Minnesota is 8-2 in their last 10 meetings against LA, and are 7-3 against the spread. Under is 5-1 in their last 6 meetings. Both teams are 10-5 to the under in their last 15 games combined. Their previous meeting this season had just 185 points, so I expect another low scoring affair tonight. Take the under the total. Pick: Under 210.5