NBA Betting Guide: Lines, Trends & Picks For Thursday, Dec. 8

Today's NBA Betting Lines, Odds & Picks

This is an ugly, three-game slate tonight that I don't see a ton of value on, so proceed with caution! I do, however, think there are a few angles that are worth looking at in regard to totals. But, as always, check out our BetQL model to see what it thinks is the best bet for each game on tonight's schedule.

One trend to note is that the BetQL NBA model has been on fire, going 331-216 (61%) on all picks in the past 14 days for a total return of $3,263 on $100 bets! BetQL subscribers can see more betting trends and all of our best bets, including player props, with star ratings for every game.

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!

Nuggets at Trail Blazers Prediction

The Denver Nuggets (13-10 SU, 11-12 ATS, 11-12 O/U) hit the road for a Northwest divisional matchup with the Portland Trail Blazers (13-11 SU, 15-9 ATS, 10-13-1 O/U).

The Nuggets are in an interesting spot coming into this game because they had a short, two-game road trip, then went back to Denver to play a single game against the Mavericks and are now back on the road again. However, this is a game Denver needs to win because they lost each of those last three games to Atlanta, New Orleans and Dallas. Knowing that a win tonight would do a lot to get the Nuggets back on track, I think we get a hyper-focused Nikola Jokic-led team. And when this team decides it needs a win, they typically put up big numbers offensively. Not to mention they got destroyed by Portland earlier this season, 135-110, so there is a revenge factor coming into this one as well.

But Denver doesn't beat teams by locking down on the defensive end. They do so by outscoring their opponent. I'm not sure the same is entirely true for the Blazers, but they are a much better offensive team than they are defensive. Plus, Damian Lillard is back, which is always a positive when it comes to putting points on the board. Both Denver and Portland's offensive efficiency numbers have been up lately, too, which will carry this game over despite both teams playing at a relatively slow pace.

My pick: Nuggets-Blazers Over 227

Clippers at Heat Prediction

The Los Angeles Clippers (13-12 SU, 11-14 ATS, 9-16 O/U) continue their four-game road trip with a stop in the 305 to take on the Miami Heat (10-14 SU, 8-15-1 ATS, 11-12-1 O/U).

There are so many names on the injury report for both teams that I would wait to bet on this matchup until there is a clearer picture of who's in and who's out. I say to wait to bet it because you might get a better number if Jimmy Bulter and Tyler Herro do in fact play for Miami, but I like the under in this game regardless. The Heat have been struggling to score over their last five games, ranking 25th in the league in offensive rating. Their offensive production has been stagnant at times and that's not going to get any better against a very good Clippers defense. These are also two teams that play at a bottom-10 pace in the league and like to operate their offense in a half-court set rather than running the floor and getting out in transition. L.A. has also been the most profitable under team all season, going 9-16 to the under.

My pick: Clippers-Heat Under 213.5

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