The Year 2020 (mercifully) comes to a close with seven NBA games on the board for bettors to ring in the New Year with. As we all pray (and are betting on) a clean slate in 2021, no one is enjoying their fresh start more than Russell Westbrook.
While the Wizards are winless, Westbrook has recorded a triple-double in his first three games, and we’re here to tell you there is betting value in him making it four in a row, as we dive into the pro basketball odds, giving you our favorite NBA free picks and predictions for Thursday, December 31.
NBA Picks for Today
Chicago Bulls vs Washington Wizards
While the Washington Wizards have yet to win a game this season, you can’t overlook the incredible run Russell Westbrook is on to begin his career in D.C. The Wizards point guard is the first player since Oscar Robertson in 1961-62 to record a triple-double in each of his first three games to start a season.
Westbrook is averaging 19 points, 13.7 rebounds and 12.7 assists in his first three games this season, but now he is hoping all that production can lead to a win for the Wiz when they welcome the Chicago Bulls to town on New Year’s Eve.
But win or lose, Westbrook is going to have a great opportunity to keep his awesome triple-double run alive. The Bulls play at the second-fastest pace in the NBA, are a middle of the road rebounding team, and give up the fifth-most assists per game. This has the feeling of a bet we’re going to ride until Westbrook cools off, or the matchup tells us so. Tonight, that is not the case.
PREDICTION: Russell Westbrook to Record a Triple Double (+150)
Philadelphia 76ers vs Orlando Magic
The Orlando Magic have been one of the best stories at the early point of this NBA season. Most talk around Orlando concerns when they should finally blow this roster up and move on from their middling ways. But all the Magic have done is go a perfect 4-0 SU and ATS to begin the season and they’ll look to stay flawless when they host the Philadelphia 76ers.
The Sixers are 3-1 on the season, but it could be a little worse if not for a couple of fourth-quarter comebacks. Philly is once again a strong defensive unit, but the offense is still struggling to find its identity. Now, they’ll face a Magic team that is averaging over 120 points per game and is shooting nearly 50 percent from the floor.
One of the Magic players fueling this hot start is Terrence Ross. The guard leads the team in scoring at 21 points per game and is shooting 43.5 percent from 3-point range, and if there is one spot Philly struggles a bit, it’s with their perimeter defense, where they rank 20th in opponent three-point shooting.
Ross has a low point total of 15.5 for this matchup because of Philly’s prowess on the defensive end, but the only time he went below this number was against Oklahoma City, where he only played 28 minutes as the Magic cruised to an easy victory. This game should be tight throughout, and even with a tough matchup, Ross should eclipse this number.
PREDICTION: Terrance Ross Over 15.5 Points (-110)
New Orleans Pelicans vs Oklahoma City Thunder
After having a blistering-hot preseason, teams have seemingly started to play defense against New Orleans Pelicans’ star Zion Williamson. The second-year man has scored more than 20 points just once this season and things won’t get any easier on Williamson as he goes up against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Thunder are shaping up to have another strong defensive unit and have the tools to make life tough on Williamson. OKC ranks 11th in opponent 2-point field goal percentage. On top of that, Zion isn’t doing himself any favors. While Zion is getting to the free-throw line eight times per game, he is only hitting 53.1 percent of his attempts.
The Thunder are long and active on the defensive end and can throw handful of different bodies at Williamson. This looks like a tough matchup in what should be a defensive battle. Take him to go Under his point total in this one.
PREDICTION: Zion Williamson Under 24.5 Points (-110)
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Top NBA Consensus for Today
Want to know who today's biggest NBA betting and consensus bets are right now? Check out our top NBA consensus picks.
Yesterday's picks: 2-1 (+1.11 units)
Season record to date: 12-6 (+5.23 units)
NBA Betting Card for December 31
- Russell Westbrook to Record a Triple Double (+150)
- Terrance Ross Over 15.5 Points (-110)
- Zion Williamson Under 24.5 Points (-110)
NBA Parlays
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Use our NBA parlay calculator to create your own parlays and see their potential payouts.
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