Free NBA Pick – Dec 23rd, 2021

Best Bet

NBA: Jazz (-11.5) Vs Timber Wolves $$

In light of several teams being devastated by quarantined players, I have decided to simply focus on only teams that are healthy. One such Team is the Utah Jazz, who do not currently have any players on the virus list. The Jazz are an absolutely dominant regular season team, particularly at home. Laying (-11.5) at home on a typical would not even be that unusual for a Jazz fan.

This night is different however, as they welcome the short handed Wolves to town. Minnesota currently has 5 players in quarantine including three starters. KA Towns & DA Russell are left holding down the fort for this team.

I like the direction the Wolves were headed so far this season and they were even starting to look like a potential playoff team. But this is not a team that can overcome multiple absences at every position as they simply do not have the bench depth. Asking this ghost team to even cover (+11.5) in Utah is simply too much to ask. I do not see how this game stays close.

NBA: Spurs (+1.5) @ Lakers $

Another team that has avoided the bug are the Spurs who don’t currently have any players in quarantine. They are also a team I would consider to be undervalued. They are just 12-18 on the season, but they do have a 0.0 total points differential wich would suggest they are better than their record.

The Lakers are a disaster. LBJ has been absorbing heavy minutes lately and there is speculation he isn’t even completely healthy. James and Westbrook are carrying this team right now, but the already shallow bench has been decimated by injuries and quarantines, not to even mention AD being out again. In particular the combination of Rajon Rondo and Wayne Ellington were completely ineffective in their last game against the Suns with a combined 3 points, 6 boards, and 2 assists in 53 minutes.

I do not see how this current version of the Lakers should be considered better than the healthy Spurs and I think they drop another home game here.

It has been a nice 4-2 start for my NBA picks this season. Be sure to check back to my Daily Picks page regularly for all my NBA/NFL picks posted every day for free.

NBA odds and analysis provided by Odds Shark.
Jason Grad

Jason Grad

Helping serious betters and collectors win more often and grow their portfolios. Follow me on Twitter for my daily sports picks and NFT portfolio management advice.

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