Only four games are on tap in tonight’s NBA schedule, including a pair of promising matchups involving the Thunder and Heat and Jazz and Lakers. Both OKC and LA aim to build on their respective Christmas Day victories, while the other two look to put themselves back in the win column. Read on below for more about both contests.
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Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Miami Heat (7:30 PM ET)
Line: Oklahoma City Thunder (-2.5) vs. Miami Heat (+2.5); total: 198.0 – view all NBA lines
OKC is on a three-game run with the latest win coming on Christmas Day against the visiting Timberwolves, during which Russell Westbrook went bananas again with 31 points, seven rebound and 15 assists. He also received some much-needed help from the Steven Adams and Enes Kanter, who contributed 22 and 20 points, respectively.
It should be another sure win for the Thunder as long as Westbrook, who boasts a league-high 14 triple-doubles this season, stays hot and receives enough offensive support from whomever. OKC is set to test one of the league’s top scoring defenses in Miami (101.4 points per game) later this evening, so Westbrook would definitely welcome all the help he can get here.
The Thunder are 4-1 SU and ATS in its last five meetings with the Heat.
Writer’s Prediction
OKC (-2.5) wins and covers.
Utah Jazz vs. Los Angeles Lakers (10:30 PM ET)
Line: Utah Jazz (-4.5) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (+4.5); total: 204.5 – view all NBA lines
The Lakers are coming off a rare win over the Clippers on Christmas Day, which ended an 11-game slide against their Staples Center co-tenants. A season-high seven players scored in double figures for the purple and gold, with Nick Young and Timofey Mozgov leading the way with 19 points apiece. But their chances look slim against a Utah defense that gives up just 95.2 points per game, currently the lowest in the NBA. Plus, the Jazz have defeated the Lakers in their first two meetings this season, giving us another convincing reason to expect a loss for LA.
Utah is 6-4 SU and ATS in its last 10 road games while Los Angeles is 4-6 SU and 3-6-1 ATS in its previous 10 at home.
Writer’s Prediction
Utah (-4.5) wins and barely covers thanks to a resilient effort from LA.
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