Dec 18, 6:10am | 4 min read

Daily Picks 12/18: Midweek Mavericks

NBA

Dan Canova

Share to Facebook

Share to Twitter

Copy Link

NBA expert Dan Canova picks his best bets for today's games

ANALYSIS

In Tuesday’s NBA action, RJ Barrett finished with 27 points and six rebounds for the New York Knicks in a 143-120 win over the Atlanta Hawks. In other news, Domantas Sabonis had 26 points, 10 rebounds and four assists to lead the Indiana Pacers to a 105-102 home victory over the Los Angeles Lakers.

Here are Today’s NBA Picks:

BET OF THE DAY:

Miami Heat @ Philadelphia 76ers

According to Statschecker, the Philadelphia 76ers have a 40-30-1 against the spread record as a home team coming off two days of rest since the 2010-11 NBA season.

The Philadelphia 76ers are the only NBA team that is still undefeated at home, with a perfect 14-0 record. The Sixers, however, will look to rebound after a road loss to the Brooklyn Nets.

In that game the Sixers, who were without Joel Embiid, were led by Ben Simmons who had 20 points, five rebounds, three assists and two blocks in the 109-89 loss.

The Heat will also look to rebound after a loss. Jimmy Butler had 25 points, eight assists and four rebounds for the Heat in a 118-111 road defeat to the Memphis Grizzlies.

Philadelphia enters this game as the second-best team in the Eastern Conference, only behind the Milwaukee Bucks, with a 20-8 record. With Embiid expected to return tonight, look for the Sixers to bounce back in a big way at home.

Take the Sixers minus the seven points in this one.

2u – 76ers (-7) @ +100

Boston Celtics @ Dallas Mavericks

The Boston Celtics have a 2-7 record at American Airlines Center since the 2010-11 NBA season, according to Statschecker.

The Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks actually squared off back on Nov. 11. In that matchup, Kemba Walker finished with 29 points, five rebounds and five assists for the Celtics in a 116-106 win.

Jaylen Brown added 25 points, 11 rebounds and three assists for Boston.

For the Mavericks, Luka Doncic finished with 34 points, six rebounds and nine assists, while Maxi Kleber contributed 15 points and eight rebounds.

On Monday, the Mavericks ended the Milwaukee Bucks' 18-game winning streak in a win that came on the road. Kristaps Porzingis finished with 26 points and 12 rebounds for the Mavs, who were without Doncic.

It’s unlikely that Doncic returns for this game, as he continues to deal with an ankle injury, but the Mavericks plus the two points is the pick here.

1u – Mavericks (+2) @ -105

Golden State Warriors @ Portland Trail Blazers

Since the 2017-18 season, the Portland Trail Blazers have a 44-20 record as a home team coming off one day of rest per Statschecker.

In their matchup back on Nov. 5, the Golden State Warriors came away victorious on their home court.

Eric Paschall finished with 34 points and 13 rebounds for the Warriors in a 127-118 win, while Ky Bowman added 19 points, eight assists and four rebounds for Golden State.

For the Blazers, who were yet to sign Carmelo Anthony at that stage of the season, Damian Lillard had a game-high 39 points with four assists, and Hassan Whiteside contributed 22 points and 11 rebounds.

The Warriors have an NBA-worst 5-23 record heading into this game. They have lost four straight games and eight of their last nine contests, although they have won 10 of their past 14 games against the Blazers.

With that said, the Trail Blazers are a team that believes they can win now. Take Portland minus the 9.5 points at home in this matchup.