NBA Daily Picks: Lakers Could Break Losing Streak Against Thunder, Celtics Want Win Against Clippers

Yesterday’s exciting six-game slate saw us finish with a 5-1 record on the night, bringing our overall record to 16-8 in the last three days. With 13 games ahead of us today, the predictions get a lot tougher. In the afternoon, the Celtics will be taking on the Clippers in a battle of two of the top teams in the NBA right now. The Lakers will also try to snap their 4-game losing streak against the Thunder as they remain on the road in Oklahoma City.

On the final day of games before Christmas, let’s take a look at the action heading our way on Saturday, December 23, 2023.

Milwaukee Bucks at New York Knicks – 12:30 PM EST

Bucks Last 10 Games: 8-2

Knicks Last 10 Games: 6-4

Bucks Injuries: Giannis Antetokounmpo – Day To Day (Foot), Marjon Beauchamp – Day To Day (Elbow), Jae Crowder – Out (Groin)

Knicks Injuries: Jericho Sims – Out (Ankle), Mitchell Robinson – Out (Ankle)

Last 5 Meetings: Bucks Lead 5-0

For the first time this season, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard, and the Milwaukee Bucks will head into Madison Square Garden to take on the Knicks. Just 18 days ago, the Knicks and Bucks were in action in Milwaukee, a game in which the Bucks took home by a score of 146-122.

In their previous meeting, Milwaukee’s duo of Dame and Giannis combined for 63 points in the win. Without their starting defensive anchor Mitchell Robinson, the Knicks’ interior defense is going to rely on both Julius Randle and Isaiah Hartenstein to try and slow down Giannis. Not only is this a favorable matchup for Antetokounmpo but for Lillard as well who will see plenty of open opportunities with all of the focus being in the paint.

Prediction: Bucks def. Knicks 135-124

Boston Celtics at Los Angeles Clippers – 3:30 PM EST

Celtics Last 10 Games: 8-2

Clippers Last 10 Games: 9-1

Celtics Injuries: Jayson Tatum – Day To Day (Ankle)

Clippers Injuries: Kawhi Leonard – Day To Day (Hip), Miles Plumlee – Out (Knee)

Last 5 Meetings: Clippers Lead 3-2

We get one of the biggest games of the weekend in a matinee set to tip-off at 3:30 pm ET as the Boston Celtics continue their West Coast trip against the Los Angeles Clippers. After missing Boston’s win against Sacramento on Thursday, the Celtics could still be without Jayson Tatum with an ankle injury while Kawhi Leonard will also be a late decision for the Clippers dealing with a hip issue.

Even with those two players, the Clippers are going to have a tough time hanging with the depth of Boston in this one with a healthy dose of Kristaps Porzingis coming their way. The core of Derrick White and Jaylen Brown have also been crucial to Boston’s success over the last week and should be enough to combat the attack of Paul George, James Harden, and Leonard if he does play. The Clippers have been one of the NBA’s hottest teams but Boston has been keeping pace and I am taking them on the road with or without Tatum in their lineup.

Prediction: Celtics def. Clippers 120-115

Orlando Magic at Indiana Pacers – 7 PM EST

Magic Last 10 Games:4-6

Pacers Last 5 Games: 5-5

Magic Injuries: Joe Ingles – Day To Day (Ankle), Jalen Suggs – Day To Day (Wrist)

Pacers Injuries: Tyrese Haliburton – Day To Day (Ankle), Jalen Smith – Day To Day (Knee/Heel)

Last 5 Meetings: Pacers Lead 3-2

The Orlando Magic and the Indiana Pacers have been two of the most pleasant surprises in the NBA this season. Both teams sit above .500, firmly in the playoff picture at this point in the Eastern Conference. Indiana’s high-paced and high-scoring offense presents a ton of mismatches for Orlando, a team that has been on a slide and lost 6 of their last 10 games.

The focus here will be to see how Orlando tries to slow down the guard play of Indiana. Of course, Tyrese Haliburton can control a game without even scoring all that much but his outside shooting gives him an edge over most. Orlando will have to combat Indiana’s offense with a mix and match of their depth throughout this contest, needing big games for Mo Wagner and Cole Anthony off the bench. Indiana has a slight edge being at home.

Prediction: Pacers def. Magic 127-117

Denver Nuggets at Charlotte Hornets – 7 PM EST

Nuggets Last 10 Games: 6-4

Hornets Last 10 Games: 2-8

Nuggets Injuries: N/A

Hornets Injuries: Cody Martin – Day To Day (Knee), Mark Williams – Day To Day (Back), LaMelo Ball – Out (Ankle)

Last 5 Meetings: Nuggets Lead 4-1

Without being completely disrespectful, this is probably the easiest game on today’s schedule to predict. While there have been some positive things to take from Charlotte’s play as of late, they do not stand a chance against the defending NBA champions who come into town today for the first time since last February.

With Jamal Murray back in the lineup and playing at a high level, the Denver offense is going to be far too much for the Hornets to handle. I am sure the Hornets will come with a heavy dose of Terry Rozier and Miles Bridges but compared to the Jokic/Murray duo, things could get out of hand fast tonight in Charlotte.

Prediction: Nuggets def. Hornets 118-104

Houston Rockets at New Orleans Pelicans – 7 PM EST

Rockets Last 10 Games: 6-4

Pelicans Last 10 Games: 7-3

Rockets Injuries: Reggie Bullock – Out (Illness), Tari Eason – Out (Leg)

Pelicans Injuries: Zion Williamson – Day To Day (Illness), Cody Zeller – Day To Day (Ankle), Larry Nance – Out (Rib), Matt Ryan – Out (Calf)

Last 5 Meetings: Pelicans Lead 3-2

Our next matchup is actually a big Western Conference matchup as the Rockets come into New Orleans to take on the Pelicans. Both teams are sitting at just 12 losses on the season with New Orleans ahead by three games in the win column. A win for Houston would bring them back into the top seven teams in the Conference while a loss would tie them with the Lakers in ninth depending on the outcome of their game later today.

Where each team holds an advantage is clear. For New Orleans, the play of Brandon Ingram and Trey Murphy as of late has been key to them winning seven of their last 10 games. For the Rockets, a mix of Alperen Sengun and Fred VanVleet has led to success on their road trip. I expect Sengun to be met with some physical challenges from Jonas Valanciunas from New Orleans, enough to allow the Pelicans’ stars to go to work and lead them to victory.

Prediction: Pelicans def. Rockets 119-111

Memphis Grizzlies at Atlanta Hawks – 7:30 PM EST

Grizzlies Last 10 Games: 4-6

Hawks Last 10 Games: 3-7

Grizzlies Injuries: Marcus Smart – Day To Day (Ankle), Derrick Rose – Out (Hamstring)

Hawks Injuries: De’Andre Hunter – Day To Day (Knee), Jalen Johnson – Out (Wrist)

Last 5 Meetings: Grizzlies Lead 3-2

In the days since Ja Morant’s return from suspension, the Memphis Grizzlies are 2-0 with wins over solid competition on the Pelicans and the Pacers. The Atlanta Hawks are happy to be back home, struggling as of late as losers of seven games in their last 10 matchups.

It is hard to pick against the momentum of Memphis right now, especially when considering Marcus Smart is also likely to return to the lineup today as well. The Grizzlies look like a completely different team with Morant back in their lineup and they only get better with Smart’s return as well. As for the Hawks, they are on the verge of blowing things up with poor defense and sloppy offense leading to a massive slide in the standings. I am riding with Memphis and Morant once again on the road.

Prediction: Grizzlies def. Hawks 112-102

Utah Jazz at Toronto Raptors

Jazz Last 10 Games: 5-5

Raptors Last 10 Games: 3-7

Jazz Injuries: Jordan Clarkson – Day To Day (Thigh), Talen Horton-Tucker – Day To Day (Foot), Keyonte George – Out (Foot)

Raptors Injuries: N/A

Last 5 Meetings: Jazz Lead 4-1

The Utah Jazz and Toronto Raptors have both experienced their fair share of ups and downs so far this season with each team remaining toward the bottom of their respective conference in the standings. Utah has been dealing with injuries while the Raptors have been struggling to adjust to a new coaching regime and losing key pieces from last year’s squad.

I would like to think the Raptors have the advantage tonight simply due to being the much healthier team heading into the night. Pascal Siakam and Scottie Barnes are a formidable duo, capable of breaking down Utah’s defense with their pace of play. I expect the Raptors to pick up a home win behind Barnes and Siakam with each of them having a 20-25-point night to lead the charge.

Prediction: Raptors def. Jazz 114-108

Detroit Pistons at Brooklyn Nets – 7:30 PM EST

Pistons Last 10 Games: 0-10

Nets Last 10 Games: 4-6

Pistons Injuries: Jalen Duren – Day To Day (Ankle), Killian Hayes – Day To Day (Illness)

Nets Injuries: Ben Simmons – Out (Back), Lonnie Walker IV – Out (Hamstring)

Last 5 Meetings: Nets Lead 4-1

The Detroit Pistons and their historic 25-game losing streak head into Brooklyn tonight to take on the Nets. Detroit has shown nothing that can make me even want to pick them in this one, especially after losing to the depleted Utah Jazz the other night. Although Brooklyn hasn’t been the strongest of Eastern Conference teams this season, I am confident there are college teams right now that could embarrass this Pistons team on any given night. Cam Thomas and Mikal Bridges should have big nights to lead the Nets to a win.

Prediction: Nets def. Pistons 113-101

Cleveland Cavaliers at Chicago Bulls – 8 PM EST

Cavaliers Last 10 Games: 6-4

Bulls Last 10 Games: 7-3

Cavaliers Injuries: Donovan Mitchell – Out (Illness), Darius Garland – Out (Jaw), Evan Mobley – Out (Knee), Sam Merrill – Day To Day (Wrist)

Bulls Injuries: Zach LaVine – Out (Foot), Torrey Craig – Out (Foot)

Last 5 Meetings: Cavaliers Lead 4-1

Another Eastern Conference clash that seems lopsided from the outside looking in is the one between the Cavaliers and Bulls set for later tonight. Right now, these are two teams heading in opposite directions but not the way you may think. The Cavaliers, missing three of their five starters in Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, and Evan Mobley, have a tall task ahead of them going against a hot Bulls team who is 7-3 over their last 10 games.

The Bulls have been led by spectacular perimeter play from DeMar DeRozan and Coby White. DeRozan has been a consistent threat all season while White has been terrific in jumping into the starting lineup in place of an injured Zach LaVine. If the Cavaliers are still nursing most of these injuries, I see no way they can keep up with the way the Bulls offense and defense are clicking on all cylinders as of late.

Prediction: Bulls def. Cavaliers 112-105

Los Angeles Lakers at Oklahoma City Thunder – 8 PM EST

Lakers Last 10 Games: 4-6

Thunder Last 10 Games: 7-3

Lakers Injuries: Anthony Davis – Day To Day (Ankle), LeBron James – Day To Day (Ankle, Gabe Vincent – Day To Day (Knee), Jarred Vanderbilt – Day To Day (Heel), Rui Hachimura – Day To Day (Wrist)

Thunder Injuries: Josh Giddey – Out (Ankle)

Last 5 Meetings: Lakers Lead 3-2

Since winning the inaugural In-Season Tournament, the Los Angeles Lakers have come back down to earth a bit, losing four games in a row and going 1-5 overall since its conclusion. Both LeBron James and Anthony Davis have been nursing injuries and their schedule has refused to let up without any signs of slowing down.

Things get no easier as they head out on the road against one of the tougher Western Conference teams, the Oklahoma City Thunder. The duo of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren have been incredible over the last two weeks especially, leading the team to seven wins in their last 10 games. Holmgren is going to have a tough assignment with Anthony Davis in the lineup albeit injured. However, I expect a monster night from Gilgeous-Alexander who has had the Lakers’ number over the last few seasons. As depleted as the Lakers can be for this one tonight, they will keep it close in the end but SGA and company pull away with late-game heroics from their leader.

Prediction: Thunder def. Lakers 110-106

San Antonio Spurs at Dallas Mavericks – 8:30 PM EST

Spurs Last 10 Games:1-9

Mavericks Last 10 Games: 5-5

Spurs Injuries: Keldon Johnson – Day To Day (Back)

Mavericks Injuries: Luka Doncic – Out (Quad), Kyrie Irving – Out (Heel), Dante Exum – Out (Contusion), Dereck Lively – Out (Ankle), Josh Green – Out (Elbow)

Last 5 Meetings: Mavericks Lead 4-1

The first months of the Victor Wembanyama era have been up and down for the French phenomenon. While he is firmly at the top of the race for Rookie of the Year, his team is among the worst in basketball at 5-22 overall on the year and losers of nine of their last 10 games. If there was any game that Wemby and the Spurs could get back on track, it is this one on the road against a Dallas team missing all five starters from their opening night lineup.

Coming off a blowout loss to the Rockets on Friday, the Mavericks are likely to be without Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, Josh Green, and Dereck Lively again tonight. This opens the door for Wembanyama to pick apart a Dallas frontcourt consisting of Dwight Powell as their best defender. It is not often that I confidently pick the Spurs but I am willing to place that bet tonight on Wembanyama and company.

Prediction: Spurs def. Mavericks 111-104

Portland Trail Blazers at Golden State Warriors – 8:30 PM EST

Trail Blazers Last 10 Games: 2-8

Warriors Last 10 Games: 6-4

Trail Blazers Injuries: Shaedon Sharpe – Day To Day (Adductor)

Warriors Injuries: Andrew Wiggins – Day To Day (Illness)

Last 5 Meetings: Warriors Lead 4-1

For the third time this month, the Portland Trail Blazers and Golden State Warriors will meet on the basketball court. The first two games did not go well for Portland, and their chances in this one do not look so great either. Figuring out this Portland team has been difficult as they can get 40 points from either Anfernee Simons or Jerami Grant on any given night yet still find ways to lose.

Figuring out where they need to focus in this one should be glaringly obvious, and that is to slow down Stephen Curry and Golden State’s perimeter attack. Easier said than done. Portland should be able to dominate the interior as well with Deandre Ayton but as we have seen, he chooses not to show up on most nights. With the way Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson have been shooting the ball as of late, this is their game to lose without question.

Prediction: Warriors def. Trail Blazers 129-121

Minnesota Timberwolves at Sacramento Kings – 10 PM EST

Timberwolves Last 10 Games: 8-2

Kings Last 10 Games: 7-3

Timberwolves Injuries: Karl-Anthony Towns – Out (Knee)

Kings Injuries: JaVale McGee – Day To Day (Wrist), Alex Len – Out (Knee)

Last 5 Meetings: Timberwolves Lead 3-2

In our final matchup of the evening, we have two of the hottest teams in the Western Conference going head-to-head as the Timberwolves come into town to take on the Kings. Minnesota are winners of eight of their last 10 games led by the offensive attack of Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns. The Kings have won seven of their last 10 thanks to the trio of De’Aaron Fox, Keegan Murray, and Domantas Sabonis.

With Towns sidelined due to a knee injury, the Timberwolves’ size and offensive scheme take a bit of a hit. They will have to run to Edwards as well as Jaden McDaniels and Mike Conley to lead the way. The Timberwolves will also need their No. 1 defense to play like it when defending a perimeter attack led by the pick and roll of Fox and Sabonis. The key here will be the play of Keegan Murray for the Kings. If he can have a 20-25-point night, Sacramento should walk away as winners

Prediction: Kings def. Timberwolves 131-124