NBA Daily Picks: Lakers Trying To Bounce Back Against Bulls, Luka Doncic Against The Big 4

The first quarter of the NBA season has wrapped up with two teams reaching 20 wins and plenty of action slated for Wednesday night. While the Celtics look to bounce back from a tough overtime loss to the Golden State Warriors, the Lakers head into Chicago looking to get back into the win column following a 1-3 slide following their In-Season Tournament victory. Also, we have the Clippers and Mavericks meeting for the third time this season after splitting their first two matchups.

Without any further ado, here are the previews and predictions for all 10 games on Wednesday, December 20, 2023.

Miami Heat at Orlando Magic – 7 PM EST

Heat Last 10 Games: 5-5

Magic Last 10 Games: 6-4

Heat Injuries: Kevin Love – Day To Day (Illness), Kyle Lowry – Day To Day (Soreness), Nikola Jovic – Day To Day (Illness), Jimmy Butler – Out (Calf)

Magic Injuries: Joe Ingles – Day To Day (Ankle), Markelle Fultz – Out (Knee), Wendell Carter Jr. – Out (Hand)

Last 5 Meetings: Heat Lead Magic 3-2

On Wednesday evening, the Miami Heat and Orlando Magic will meet for the first time in the 2023-24 season. Miami heads into Orlando coming off a loss on Monday night to the Minnesota Timberwolves while the Magic are coming off back-to-back losses to the Boston Celtics. The Heat have a tall task ahead of them trying to defeat the Magic at home where Orlando is 11-2 this season. Jimmy Butler is also out for Miami, making this matchup all the more difficult for the Heat to gain an advantage in.

With Butler out, Orlando’s perimeter players can expect to have big nights at home against Miami. I expect both Franz Wagner and Cole Anthony to have big games against a depleted Miami defense.

Prediction: Orlando Magic def. Miami Heat 114-108

Charlotte Hornets at Indiana Pacers – 7 PM EST

Hornets Last 10 Games: 2-8

Pacers Last 10 Games: 4-6

Hornets Injuries: Gordon Hayward – Day To Day (Illness), Miles Bridges – Day To Day (Personal), Mark Williams – Day To Day (Back), Nathan Mensah – Day To Day (Personal), Cody Martin – Out (Knee), Frank Ntilikina – Out (Leg), LaMelo Ball – Out (Ankle)

Pacers Injuries: Jalen Smith – Day To Day (Knee/Heel), Myles Turner – Day To Day (Hamstring), Andrew Nembhard – Out (Knee)

Last 5 Meetings: Hornets Lead 3-2

The Charlotte Hornets head into Indiana to take on the Pacers Wednesday night with both teams looking to snap losing streaks. The Hornets have lost five games in a row and eight of their last 10 games. The Pacers have lost four games in a row and six of their last 10 games as well. The Pacers, while scoring the most points per game with 127.4, are also giving up the most points per game with 127.0. The Hornets’ defense also ranks 28th out of 30 teams this season, setting up for a high-scoring affair in this matchup.

I expect the Pacers’ offense, led by All-Star hopeful Tyrese Haliburton, to outrun and outshine a Hornets team that is just 7-18 on the season and 3-8 on the road, struggling without their star point guard LaMelo Ball since November 26.

Prediction: Pacers def. Hornets 140-121

Utah Jazz at Cleveland Cavaliers – 7 PM EST

Jazz Last 10 Games: 4-6

Cavaliers Last 10 Games: 6-4

Jazz Injuries: Jordan Clarkson – Out (Thigh), Keyonte George – Out (Ankle), Omer Yurtseven – Out (Illness)

Cavaliers Injuries: Darius Garland – Out (Jaw), Evan Mobley – Out (Knee), Ty Jerome – Out (Ankle)

Last 5 Meetings: Jazz Lead 3-2

The Utah Jazz and Cleveland Cavaliers meet on Wednesday night for just the sixth time since 2021 with Utah winning three of those five contests. Cleveland is the first stop for the Jazz on this East Coast trip and are coming off a win over the Brooklyn Nets at home. The Cavaliers are riding a two-game win streak without starters Darius Garland and Evan Mobley. All-Star Donovan Mitchell has stepped it up as of late with 28.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 6.2 assists per game over his last five contests.

The Jazz are currently one of the worst road teams in the NBA, going 2-12 away from Utah this season. I expect Mitchell to continue his hot scoring streak and the Cavaliers to be able to stop the attack of Lauri Marrkanen and the Jazz in this one fairly easily. 

Prediction: Cavaliers def. Jazz 111-104

Minnesota Timberwolves at Philadelphia 76ers – 7 PM EST

Timberwolves Last 10 Games: 9-1

76ers Last 10 Games: 7-3

Timberwolves Injuries: Jaylen Clark – Out (Achilles)

76ers Injuries: Marcus Morris – Day To Day (Illness), Robert Covington – Day To Day (Illness), Nicolas Batum – Out (Hamstring)

Last 5 Meetings: Timberwolves Lead 3-2

Two of the best teams in the Western and Eastern Conferences face off on Wednesday night in one of the marquee early games on the NBA’s schedule. The Timberwolves come into Philadelphia having won nine of their last 10 games while sporting the best defense in basketball. The 76ers have won seven of their last 10 games led by MVP Joel Embiid who has averaged 38.8 points, 12.8 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game during that stretch.

The matchup to watch in this one will be Embiid going head-to-head with a rejuvenated Rudy Gobert, who has seemingly returned to Defensive Player of the Year form this season. Whoever gains the upper hand in this matchup of centers will be the team taking home a win on Wednesday night.

Prediction: Timberwolves def. 76ers 108-101

New York Knicks at Brooklyn Nets – 7:30 PM EST

Knicks Last 10 Games: 6-4

Nets Last 10 Games: 5-5

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

Nets Injuries: Ben Simmons – Out (Back), Lonnie Walker IV – Out (Hamstring), Dorian Finney-Smith – Out (Back)

Last 5 Meetings: Nets Lead 3-2

The Battle of New York hits Brooklyn this evening for the first time in 2023-24. The Knicks are coming back East after going 2-2 on the West Coast with wins over the Suns and Lakers. The Nets also return back to the East Coast after going 1-4 on their trip West. Mikal Bridges and the Nets’ perimeter defense will look to slow down Jalen Brunson and the Knicks’ offensive attack that has seen Brunson average 29.0 points and 7.0 assists per game in his last five contests.

The Nets being without three key rotational players has been detrimental to their play but being 8-5 on their home floor is going to make this one interesting. I still expect the Knicks led By a heavy dose of Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle to carry their momentum from recent days into this one and pick up a much-needed road win.

Prediction: Knicks def. Nets 115-106

Denver Nuggets at Toronto Raptors – 7:30 PM EST

Nuggets Last 10 Games: 6-4

Raptors Last 10 Games: 3-7

Nuggets Injuries: Aaron Gordon – Day To Day (Heel), Jamal Murray – Day To Day (Ankle)

Raptors Injuries: Christian Koloko – Out (Respiratory)

Last 5 Meetings: Nuggets Lead 3-2

The defending world champion Denver Nuggets head North for a rare meeting with the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday led by their reigning Finals MVP Nikola Jokic. Looking at the state of the Raptors right now, it seems as if they may be headed for a rebuild by the trade deadline having lost seven of their last 10 games. The Nuggets have cooled off a bit, going 6-4 over their last 10 led by Jokic who averaged 22.1 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 10.4 assists per game during that span.

With the way things are shaping up for Toronto, they will need a spirited performance from leadership such as Pascal Siakam and Scottie Barnes in this one to even have a prayer in taking down the champs. With nobody able to slow down Jokic defensively, another triple-double and Denver win seems inevitable.

Prediction: Nuggets def. Raptors 120-104

Atlanta Hawks at Houston Rockets – 8 PM EST

Hawks Last 10 Games: 3-7

Rockets Last 10 Games: 5-5

Hawks Injuries: A.J. Griffin – Day To Day (Personal), Bogdan Bogdanovic – Day To Day (Ankle), Jalen Johnson – Out (Wrist), Kobe Bufkin – Out (Thumb), Mouhamed Gueye – Out (Back)

Rockets Injuries: Amen Thompson – Day To Day (Illness), Jae’Sean Tate – Day To Day (Illness), Victor Oladipo – Out (Knee)

Last 5 Meetings: Hawks Lead 3-2

The Atlanta Hawks head West to take on the Houston Rockets on Wednesday looking to right their ship and not let the early season get away from them. Losers of seven of their last 10 games, the Hawks have been abysmal defensively, allowing 122.7 points per game to opponents this season. The Rockets have been rejuvenated this season led by breakout star Alperen Sengun and the arrival of veterans Feed VanVleet and Dillon Brooks.

Over his last 10 games, Sengun is averaging 19.5 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game. With the Hawks struggling the way they are defensively, this looks like a prime matchup for Sengun to pick apart their schemes and lead Houston to victory.

Prediction: Rockets def. Hawks 125-119

Los Angeles Lakers at Chicago Bulls – 8 PM EST

Lakers Last 10 Games: 5-5

Bulls Last 10 Games: 6-4

Lakers Injuries: Anthony Davis – Day-To-Day (Ankle), Gabe Vincent – Day To Day (Knee), LeBron James – Day To Day (Calf), Jalen Hood-Schifino – Out (Back)

Bulls Injuries: Alex Caruso – Day To Day (Ankle), Patrick Williams – Day To Day (Calf), Torrey Craig – Out (Foot), Zach LaVine – Out (Foot)

Last 5 Meetings: Bulls Lead 3-2

The Los Angeles Lakers hit the road to meet the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday, looking to get past their In-Season Tournament hangover. The Lakers are just 1-3 since winning the tournament and are going up against a gritty and revived Bulls team as of late. The Lakers will have to monitor the duo of LeBron James and Anthony Davis who are both ailing from lower-leg injuries. Meanwhile, the Bulls have been led by the spirited play of Coby White who is averaging 26.4 points and 7.4 assists per game on 44.7% shooting from three in his last five games.

Despite Chicago’s play over their last 10 contests, the last thing I expect is for them to be able to take down a more talented and desperate group than the Lakers right now. Anthony Davis should feast on Nikola Vucevic’s below-average defensive effort while LeBron rallies the troops for another big game against the Bulls as he has done for most of his career.

Prediction: Lakers def. Bulls 118-105

Los Angeles Clippers at Dallas Mavericks – 8:30 PM EST

Clippers Last 10 Games: 9-1

Mavericks Last 10 Games: 6-4

Clippers Injuries: Paul George – Day To Day (Illness), Bones Hyland – Day To Day (Knee), Mason Plumlee – Out (Knee)

Mavericks Injuries: Dereck Lively – Out (Ankle), Josh Green – Out (Elbow), Kyrie Irving – Out (Heel), Maxi Kleber – Out (Toe)

Last 5 Meetings: Clippers Lead 3-2

The latest installment of the rivalry between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Dallas Mavericks features two teams heading in different directions. The Clippers come into this matchup with the NBA’s longest winning streak at eight games and are 13-3 in their last 16 contests. Meanwhile, the Mavericks will be without Kyrie Irving yet again with a bruised heel and standout rookie Dereck Lively with an ankle injury.

MVP candidate Luka Doncic has been incredible, averaging 37.1 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 11.3 assists per game in Dallas’ last 10 games, and always goes to another level against the Clippers. Unfortunately for him, the trio of James Harden, Kawhi Leonard, and Paul George seem to be clicking on all cylinders right now and look to be the cream of the crop in the Western Conference at this moment

Prediction: Clippers def. Mavericks 124-111

Boston Celtics at Sacramento Kings – 10 PM EST

Celtics Last 10 Games: 8-2

Kings Last 10 Games: 7-3

Celtics Injuries: Kristaps Porzingis – Out (Calf), Luke Kornet (Adductor)

Kings Injuries: Alex Len – Out (Ankle)

Last 5 Meetings: Celtics Lead 4-1

The final matchup of the evening features the Celtics heading into Sacramento following a tough loss to the Golden State Warriors in overtime on Tuesday. The Kings are riding a three-game winning streak and are one of the league’s best home teams with a record of 10-3 at the Golden 1 Center. In his last 10 games, De’Aaron Fox has led the Kings with 30.3 points and 6.8 assists per game on 47.4% shooting. With the Celtics coming off a tough loss on Tuesday night, I think Fox will lead Sacramento to a surprising victory in their building.

Of course, you can never count out the duo of Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum who have been scorching hot as of late. Brown is averaging 24.8 points and 5.2 assists per game in his last five games while Tatum is averaging 24.0 points and 8.6 rebounds per game in the same stretch. Boldly, I am taking the Kings to hand the Celtics their first back-to-back losses of the season despite Boston’s firepower.

Prediction: Kings def. Celtics 123-118