NBA Best Bets for Friday, December 26: Top Picks, Predictions

The Bulls seek their fifth straight win against the 76ers in Chicago and the Pistons look for their 25th victory of the season as Detroit continues its road trip in Utah.

We’ll break down three intriguing Friday plays. Remember to monitor the odds throughout the day, as the sides and totals market is constantly changing.

Here are the NBA best bet picks for Friday, December 26.

Best NBA plays today - Odds Courtesy of DraftKings

• Hornets (+6.5) at Magic
• Wizards (+7.5) vs. Raptors
• Grizzlies (-5.5) vs. Bucks

Hornets (+6.5) at Magic - 7:00 p.m. ET

The Magic (17-13) return home following a 2-2 road trip, capped off by a 110-106 victory at Portland on Tuesday. Orlando has failed to cover the point spread in nine of the last 10 games, including 1-4-1 ATS mark as a favorite.

The Hornets (10-20) have covered six of the last eight games, including four ATS wins as an underdog of six points or more. Charlotte pulled away from Washington, 126-109 on Tuesday as eight-point home favorites, but the Hornets are looking to improve on a 3-12 road record.

Orlando captured the first matchup of the season against Charlotte, 123-107 as 3.5-point road favorites in late October. The Magic have won the last five meetings with the Hornets, as Orlando covered the past three home games as a favorite of more than nine points.

However, it’s interesting that the Hornets are around a six-point underdog in this matchup and are worth a strong look here.

Wizards (+7.5) vs. Raptors - 7:00 p.m. ET

The Wizards (5-23) own the worst record in the NBA, but have posted a 4-2 ATS record the last six games. Washington was blown out at Charlotte on Tuesday, 126-109, as the Wizards enter Friday’s matchup with Toronto looking to avenge a 30-point road defeat last month.

The Raptors (18-13) rolled past the Heat on Tuesday, 112-91 as 5.5-point underdogs, snapping a two-game slide. Toronto has struggled as a favorite recently, compiling an ugly 1-7 ATS mark in the past eight opportunities when laying points.

Grizzlies (-5.5) vs. Bucks - 8:00 p.m. ET

Milwaukee (12-18) has not performed well off a win this season, going 0-8 in its past eight in this role off Tuesday’s victory at Indiana. The Bucks are also on an 11-2 run to the Under the last 13 games, scoring less than 111 points in four consecutive games.

The Grizzlies (14-16) return to FedEx Forum after holding off the Jazz on Tuesday, 137-128 to halt a short two-game slide. Memphis has lost its last two home games as a favorite of at least 7.5 points to Utah and Washington, but are 5-1 ATS as a home favorite of 5.5 points or less.

The Bucks are 0-7 in their last seven road games in the underdog role, with their only outright away dog victory coming at Toronto on October 24.