NBA Picks Tonight: Three Bets Worth Playing on December 29th

It is a busy day in the NBA, loaded with 11 games with the Milwaukee Bucks and Charlotte Hornets opening the action at 7 p.m. EST and the night wrapping with the Dallas Mavericks and Portland Trail Blazers at 10:30 p.m. EST.

Of course, with so many games and many of the NBA's best seeing action, there are several great betting options. But we’ve selected the following as our best NBA bets for the night.

Indiana Pacers vs. Houston Rockets

The struggle has been all too real for the Pacers this season, as they are coming off a 142-116 loss to the Heat in Miami, the second game in a row in which they allowed 140+ points, and their eighth straight loss. Houston, on the other hand, is coming off a 17-point win over Cleveland.

These are two teams going in completely opposite directions. Houston has a top-five offense and defense, while the Pacers are among the league's worst at both. A 14.5-point spread is a big one, but the Rockets should have no trouble covering it against this team playing at home.

Our Pick: Rockets -14.5 at -110 (FanDuel)

Cleveland Cavaliers vs. San Antonio Spurs

When these two teams played on December 5 in Cleveland, the Cavs walked away winners, beating the Spurs 130-117. However, San Antonio did not have Victor Webanyama available in that game; he returned to the starting lineup on Saturday.

Cleveland has not been a good road team this season (6-8) and has lost their last three on the road. San Antonio is one of the league's best home teams (11-3), and with a healthy Wembanyama in the lineup, they are certainly the better team.

Our Pick: Spurs -4.5 at -110 (FanDuel)

After losing at home on Saturday, they’ll be a little more motivated to give the home crowd a good show tonight with a solid win.

Dallas Mavericks vs. Portland Trail Blazers

When these teams last met in November, the Mavericks pulled out a 138-131 OT victory. They did not have Anthony Davis for that game, and there is a good chance they’ll be without his services for this game as well. But Portland is dealing with a laundry list of injuries, too.

In their earlier matchup, these two combined for 236 points in regulation before blowing past this TOTAL in OT. While Portland could have momentum coming off a win, the Trail Blazers have won back-to-back games just twice this season (both three-game stretches).

Our Pick: OVER 236.5 Points

I’m a little concerned with the OVER being 0-5 in Portland’s last five, but with how the first meeting played out, I’m more comfortable taking the OVER than picking a winner.