Best NBA Bets Tonight: Three Picks for Dec. 18th's Slate

A busy night awaits in the NBA, with 12 games on the docket and most of the league in action.

This means that fans will have plenty of betting markets to choose from, which is why we’ve created our ‘Best NBA Bets’ list for the night.

These aren’t the only good bets, of course, but they are the three we like the most.

Los Angeles Clippers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder

Thunder -17.5 at -110 (FanDuel)

The struggle has been all too real for the 6-20 LA Clippers this season. With James Harden, Derrick Jones Jr., and Bradley Beal ruled out tonight against the Thunder, there is little to no chance that it gets any better for them tonight against the defending champs.

Oklahoma City has had injury issues of their own, but have the depth to manage them. They are 24-2, but are coming off their second loss, a 111-109 defeat at the hands of the Houston Rockets. With the roster on hand, there is no reason to think they will do anything other than crush the Clippers.

Washington Wizards vs. San Antonio Spurs

OVER 241.5 at -112 (FanDuel)

San Antonio absolutely should win this game against the 4-20 Wizards, but it is hard to say whether they can cover a double-digit spread (-14.5). While the Wizards are just 8-16 ATS, they are 5-2 ATS when double-digit dogs, and the Spurs are 4-12 ATS in games where they were double-digit favorites.

However, the OVER is 15-9 for Washington and 15-11 for San Antonio. The Wizards are giving up a league-worst 126.7 ppg while the Spurs are scoring 119.7. They’ll do most of the heavy lifting, of course, but they’ve gone OVER the TOTAL in four of their last five and will make it five in six tonight.

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Utah Jazz

OVER 242.5 at -118 (FanDuel)

The Lakers are easily the better team in this one, but their defense has been questionable even on their best nights. However, while the Jazz have been blown out in recent games, they have also won five of their last eight and scored 123+ in each victory.

In the two previous matchups, the OVER (at this total) was 1-1; LA won both. The Lakers should win this game, but I’m not confident they’ll cover. However, since both teams play poor defense, the OVER will hit.