NBA Betting Guide: Lines, Trends & Picks For Monday, Dec. 19

Today's NBA Betting Lines, Odds & Picks

There's no better way to start a new week than with some NBA betting action. Scroll down to check out what plays I like as well as today's top plays from our BetQL model.

One trend to note is that the BetQL NBA model is on fire, going 313-186 (63%) on all NBA picks rated ⭐⭐ and higher since the season started for a total return of $1,365 on $100 bets! Take advantage of BetQL's free trial and see all of today's best NBA bets, plus what the model is projecting for this week's NFL, NHL, and NCAA football and basketball games! Start your free trial today!

Raptors at 76ers Prediction

The Toronto Raptors (13-16 SU, 13-16 ATS, 14-14-1 O/U) start a three-game road trip with a stop in the City of Brotherly Love as they take on the Philadelphia 76ers (16-12 SU, 16-11-1 ATS, 14-14 O/U).

The Toronto Raptors are really, really bad right now. They’ve lost their last five games and are allowing opponents to shoot 53.3% from the field over that span, which is the worst mark in the league. They’re also allowing the second-worst 3-point percentage. The Sixers, meanwhile, are top five in offensive rating over their last five games and have gone over this number in each of those games. Philly has also shot really well against Toronto this season, knocking down over 50% of their shots from the field in both games. I don’t see the Raptors defense being able to hold Joel Embiid and Co. under this number.

My pick: 76ers Team Total Over 113.5

Trail Blazers at Thunder Prediction

The Portland Trail Blazers (17-13 SU, 20-10 ATS, 15-14-1 O/U) and Oklahoma City Thunder (12-17 SU, 17-12 ATS, 16-13 O/U) meet for the first time this season on Monday night.

Oklahoma City's top two scorers in Shai Gilgeous Alexander and Joss Giddy have both been ruled out of this game with illness. Without them on the floor, I'm not sure where the Thunder are going to get their offense tonight. The Blazers, however, have looked really good lately, winning three of their last four by double digits. They have the second-best offensive rating over the last five games and have been knocking down shots from all over the floor. Meanwhile, the Thunder are allowing the 27th most points per game, and I fully expect the Blazers to be able to take advantage of that. OKC also doesn't defend the 3-point line very well, so this should be a big night for Damian Lillard.

My pick: Trail Blazers -7

Jazz at Cavaliers Prediction

The Cleveland Cavaliers (19-11 SU, 15-13-2 ATS, 11-19 O/U) welcome the Utah Jazz (17-15 SU, 18-13-1 ATS, 16-16 O/U) to Rocket Mortgage Field House on Monday night.

After an unexpectedly good start to the season, the Utah Jazz have come back down to Earth a bit. They've lost four of their last seven games and their offense has taken a hit. Utah went from having the fourth-best offensive rating on the season, to ranked 20th over their last five games. I don't expect that to get any better tonight against the Cavaliers, who have the best defensive rating in the league. Cleveland is great at defending the 3, which is bad for the Jazz, who like to shoot a ton of 3s. They also play at a pace of 95.9, which is the slowest in the league and has led to the under hitting in 13 of their last 16 games.

My pick: Jazz-Cavs Under 221.5

MORE NBA: STAFF PICKS | PLAYER PROPS

Take advantage of BetQL's free trial and see all of today's best NBA bets, including player props, plus what the model is projecting for every NFL, NHL and NCAA football and basketball game this week! Start your free trial today!