NBA Betting Guide: Lines, Trends & Picks For Friday, Dec. 30

Today's NBA Betting Lines, Odds & Picks

The NBA feels pretty unpredictable right now with so many injuries and some teams playing with what looks like a lack of motivation, but, thankfully for us, we have our BetQL model to help point us in the right direction as we head into the weekend.

One trend to note is that the BetQL NBA model is on fire, going 43-24 (64%) on all NBA spread picks rated ⭐⭐⭐ and higher in the last 30 days for a total return of $1,509! 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!

Heat at Nuggets Prediction

The Miami Heat (18-17 SU, 12-22-1 ATS, 16-18-1 O/U) travel to the Mile High City to take on the Denver Nuggets (22-12 SU, 15-18-1 ATS, 15-19 O/U) tonight for the first time this season.

The Nuggets have been the best first-quarter team this season and second-best over the last five games behind the Brooklyn Nets. They’re averaging 31.0 points in the first 12 minutes and are 4-1 ATS in their last five home games. Miami sits around league average when it comes to offensive production in the first quarter, averaging 28 points. They're 0-3 ATS in their last three games and have also trailed at the end of the first quarter in three of their last four meetings with the Nuggets. 

My pick: Nuggets 1Q -1.5

Blazers at Warriors Prediction

The Golden State Warriors (18-18 SU, 17-19 ATS, 20-14-2 O/U) look for their fourth straight home win tonight against the Portland Trail Blazers (18-16 SU, 19-13-2 ATS, 16-16-2 O/U).

The Blazers come into this game with a huge rest advantage not having played since Monday, while the Warriors are playing their fourth game in six nights. I know the Warriors have been dominant at home, but their defense is going to struggle to contain the Blazers' outside shooting tonight. Portland ranks third in 3-point percentage and is facing a Warriors defense that is 24th in opponent 3-pointers made per game and 25th in opponent 3-point attempts. Golden State has lost every game this season against teams ranked in the top five in 3-point percentage, which is why I'll lay the two points with the Blazers.

My pick: Trail Blazers -2

Lakers vs. Hawks Prediction

The Los Angeles Lakers (14-21 SU, 12-21-2 ATS, 22-13 O/U) will play the fourth game of their five-game road trip tonight against the Atlanta Hawks (17-18 SU, 14-20-1 ATS, 19-16 O/U).

The total for this game has shot up drastically from where it opened at 233.5 to where it is now at 241. I think where it sits right now is a little too high, so I'd lean towards the under. If this movement tells us anything, it's that the books expect very little defense tonight. If that's going to be the case, I'd happily take the Hawks' offense to outscore the Lakers tonight. Atlanta should get Trae Young back in the lineup, which will provide an offensive burst with him being the team's leading scorer. While the Hawks' defense is nothing to write home about, the Lakers will need a few players not named LeBron James to step up big in the scoring department if they want to keep pace with Atlanta and that's just not something I want to put my money on right now.

My pick: Hawks -7.5

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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!