NBA Best Bets for December 4: The Magic Are on the Rise
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Spread Astaire
- December 4, 2024
Top NBA Pick: Orlando Magic -3 (-114) at BetOnline (visit our BetOnline Review)
After a fun night of NBA Cup action, the NBA returns to its regular season format with an exciting six-game slate tonight.
There are plenty of top teams on the docket and plenty of intriguing matchups. Which game should we target in order to make winning NBA picks at the top-rated sportsbooks?
If you’re looking for more value picks, make sure to take a look at our YouTube channel for more daily betting advice. Today, our expert has advice on the Magic vs. 76ers and Hawks vs. Bucks games.
Orlando Magic vs. Philadelphia 76ers Odds
Wednesday, December 04, 2024 – 07:30 PM ET at Wells Fargo Center
The Philadelphia 76ers are in trouble. I believe they missed their championship window over the last two seasons, and now their star center Joel Embiid’s fragile health is going to be too much for them to overcome.
Philly’s Fragility
Embiid missed last night’s game with an injury and is a game-time decision for tonight. Even if Joel Embiid does play, however, his lack of time on the court and his lack of conditioning is a severe detriment to his overall effectiveness.
Joel Embid can still put up big stats, but his lack of conditioning means he’s wearing down towards the end of the game. That could be a disaster against a scrappy, hardworking team such as the Orlando Magic.
Magic Rising
The Magic are making a push to take the spot that the Sixers once owned, that of a top-four team in the Eastern Conference. With the Sixers sliding to the bottom of the standings, an opportunity has opened up and Orlando is taking full advantage. Orlando is not ready for the top of the conference yet with the likes of Boston and Cleveland reigning at the top, but they are close and within striking distance.
This game will represent a showdown between two franchises headed in opposite directions. One franchise went all in, and came up short, and now are dealing with the consequences. The other is up and coming and trying to make that same move to the top of the standings where Philly once resided.
The Pick
In the battle of two teams going in opposite directions, I’m going to take the team on the rise. Give me the Orlando Magic to get the win and cover the spread against Philly tonight.
NBA Pick: Orlando Magic -3 (-114) at BetOnline
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. L.A. Clippers Odds
Wednesday, December 04, 2024 – 10:30 PM ET at Intuit Dome
When the Clippers let Paul George walk in free agency and with Kawhi Leonard still suffering a knee injury, expectations were low for this team. However, the Clippers and excellent head coach Tyronn Lue have upended the league’s perception of them and got a bunch of wins when they were not expected to.
Strategic Excellence
Although the Clippers do not have big-name superstars like the other top teams in the West, they are committed to playing defense and always employ excellent strategies to take on their opponents.
The Clippers are 4th in the league in points allowed per game. The Clippers average 107 points per game. However, they are 23rd in points scored. They only average 109.3 points per game. This is good for a net rating of 2.3
The Clippers’ new arena, the Intuit Dome, provides a nice advantage and opposing players have spoken about having trouble adjusting to the sight lines, This makes shooting percentages lower and keeps overall scoring down. This is another reason the home-court advantage is so much better for the Clippers in the new arena.
Minnesota’s Defensive Edge
The Timberwolves are 5th in the league in points allowed at 108.8. They average 111.1 points per game, good for a net rating of 2.3. So the teams have an equal net rating where both teams boast impressive defensive capabilities.
The Timberwolves made a gamble this season when they traded franchise stalwart Karl-Anthony Towns for Knicks veteran Julius Randle. So far, there has been an adjustment period for the team getting used to the way that Randle plays basketball. So, while the Timberwolves were one of the top teams in the West last season, this year they have been merely average.
Even though the Timberwolves have not been playing their best basketball they are still a fearsome defensive team. With players like Rudy Gobert, Anthony Edwards and Jaden McDaniels, the Timberwolves have a bunch of excellent defenders.
The Pick
I like this game to go under the point with both these teams being so committed on the defensive end.
The myth that NBA players do not play defense in the regular season will be exposed in this hard-fought battle tonight. When these two teams that are committed to defense take the floor, take the Under.
NBA Pick: Timberwolves/Clippers Under 212 (-110) at BetOnline
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.
