NBA Staff Picks For Tuesday, Dec. 21

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Dan Karpuc: Suns -6.5 at Lakers

The Lakers will have to adapt to the prolonged absence of Anthony Davis and I don’t like their chances against arguably the NBA’s best team, even in Los Angeles. Under Monty Williams, the Suns have gone 41-18 ATS after covering two consecutive previous games and the Lakers have gone just 12-19 ATS overall this season, including 6-11 ATS on their home floor. In addition to AD, the Lakers will be without Avery Bradley, Malik Monk, Talen Horton-Tucker, Dwight Howard, Kent Bazemore and Austin Reaves, so there is substantial blowout risk for them in this spot. Give me Phoenix -6.5 all day.

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Brad Pinkerton: Blazers +1.5 at New Orleans

Damian Lillard and the Blazers seem to be turning a corner. Portland has won and covered in its last two games – vs. Charlotte and at Memphis – with Lillard dropping 43 on the Grizzlies on  Friday. He’s dealing with a hamstring injury, but if Lillard starts tonight, I like him and the Blazers to keep this positive momentum going against the inconsistent Pelicans, who are just 10-21 SU on the season.

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Lucy Burdge: Pistons-Knicks Under 207

The Knicks are averaging 105.9 points per game and the Pistons are averaging 100.4, so I feel like this is going to be a lower-scoring matchup. The Knicks are also 14-16 on the O/U and have hit the under in three of their last five games, so a lot of signs point to under 207, a ⭐⭐⭐⭐ bet, according to BetQL.

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Nick Ashooh: Suns -6.5 at Lakers

The Lakers are still the worst ATS team in the NBA at 11-19-1 overall and 5-11-1 at home. Plus, they won't have Anthony Davis for a month as he deals with a knee sprain. That means more pressure and likely usage for LeBron James, who averages 33.3 points, 8.8 rebounds and 7.0 assists in the four games he's played without Davis in the lineup. Russell Westbrook, however, hasn't been as effective without Davis, averaging 16.8 points and 6.3 assists. Keep fading the Lakers.

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