NBA Best Bets & Player Props December 20: Joel Embiid Takes on Rudy Gobert and the Timberwolves
The NBA has a loaded slate today with ten games in action or two-thirds of the league. There are two nationally televised games today, the first being the Minnesota Timberwolves at Philadelphia 76ers with a 7:00 PM ET tip-off on NBATV. There are two bets on this game, one is surprisingly at plus odds, and one is a proposition bet on the reigning MVP, Joel Embiid. There is also a bet on the international game featuring two NBA champion teams over the past five seasons.
The Denver Nuggets travel to the Toronto Raptors with a 7:30 PM ET tip-off. There is a proposition bet on Aaron Gordon who has been playing well since recovering from his heel injury. Two intraconference games take center stage tonight, and if you prefer late live betting, the Boston Celtics play the Sacramento Kings after an overtime loss to the Golden State Warriors. The match is televised on NBATV, and there could be some good angles for the Kings in that match.
NBA Bet of the Night
Aaron Gordon OVER 13.5 Points (-115 at DraftKings)
Aaron Gordon has been playing on a roll lately. He has gone over this prop in four of his last five games, including the most recent against the Dallas Mavericks which he sat for the entire fourth quarter. In the game he didn’t have thirteen points he played only three quarters as well, against the Brooklyn Nets. The Denver Nuggets begin an Atlantic road trip with three games against Eastern Conference opponents which they have a better record than.
The Toronto Raptors give up the 20th most points to opposing forwards, and they do not have a defender that can withstand the ‘Bully Ball’ of Aaron Gordon. Gordon along with Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic are in a fantastic rhythm with each other, and Gordon receives the least defensive attention out of three. This allows Murray and Jokic to find Aaron Gordon near the rim for easy slam dunks and easy shots. Aaron Gordon is also improving his three-point making, he made two of three in his last game, and if left as open as he has been, will continue to shoot more.
NBA Straight Bet of the Night
Minnesota Timberwolves Money Line (+135 at BetMGM)
Truthfully, the straight bets have been taking it hard in this column. Last night two moneyline bets over -200, one at -300, were combined to make a favorable parlay near even odds… both teams lost. The player props are Fantasy Alarm Best Bets, bread and butter, but the disrespect to Minnesota has allowed an opportunity for a favorable plus odds bet. The Timberwolves have spent more time as the number one team this year than they have in the past thirty-four years COMBINED! Really let that statistic marinate in your mind.
The Timberwolves are playing excellent defense and have scorers that can keep pace with the best-scoring teams if needed. Minnesota is on the road against a good Philadelphia 76ers team, but they aren’t great. These two teams receive the opposite treatment, The Minnesota Timberwolves are shunned, and people are saying about them what they said about the Nuggets last year. ‘Oh it’s fun to see them do well now, but they will collapse later in the season’.
The Philadelphia 76ers have been praised with a new coach and the play of Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, but they have predominantly played horrible teams in the Eastern Conference. Tonight they have a true test against a Minnesota team that has won nine of their last ten, on a three-game winning streak, and have one of the best defending centers in the NBA, Rudy Gobert. Expect Minnesota to beat the 76ers.
NBA Prop Bet of the Night
Joel Embiid UNDER 12.5 Rebounds (-140 at DraftKings)
The supportive reasoning for the Minnesota Timberwolves to win is in part due to the fact that Joel Embiid is going to play the best defensive center he has seen this season, Rudy Gobert.. Embiid ‘ducked’ the Minnesota Timberwolves in their first matchup and the 76ers lost by thirteen points. Embiid has recorded double-digit rebounds in eleven straight games, but also ducked against Jonas Valanciunas and a tough Boston Celtics defense.
Embiid has played one worthy center this season, Anthony Davis, and in that match, he did not get thirteen rebounds. Gobert is not intimidated by J. Embiid’s scoring ability and he will have Embiid working for every shot and every rebound. Trust the under in a tough center-versus-center match for the MVP.
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Thank you for reading.
Bet Smart, Be Lucky - Iggy
*All Bets to be placed at 1 unit unless specified otherwise
Player News
Liam McNeeley had 22 points (7-of-16 FGs), 12 rebounds, six assists and three three-pointers against the Jazz on Friday.
McNeeley had 22 points on 16 shots in the win. More importantly, the 19-year-old displayed what it looks like when he has everything in his game working. McNeeley was able to play through contact and convert at the basket despite getting fouled. He also hit back-to-back threes. McNeeley could provide some much needed scoring to the Hornets this year.
Walter Clayton Jr. had 21 points (8-of-17 FGs), six rebounds, three assists, one block and four three-pointers against the Hornets on Friday.
Clayton continues to impress this summer. The 22-year-old point guard had at least 20 points and four three-points for the second consecutive game. Clayton should continue to gain experience with heavy minutes in Summer League as he prepares to battle Isaiah Collier for point guard minutes this year.
Kyle Filipowski had 32 points (12-of-17 FGs), six rebounds, five assists, one block and three three-pointers in the Jazz’ 111-105 loss to the Hornets on Friday.
While the Jazz ultimately lost the game, Filipowski’s 32 points in 30 minutes were a game-high. The 21-year-old power forward took full advantage of the Summer League rules and committed eight personal fouls. Filipowski figures to be one of the Jazz’ primary backup big men this year.
Tyler Kolek had 10 points (4-of-11 FGs), six rebounds, eight assists, one steal and one block against the Pistons on Friday.
Kolek played 27 minutes in the loss to the Pistons. The 24-year-old point guard had 10 points on 11 shots, missed all five of his three-point attempts and had five turnovers despite his eight assists. Kolek is behind Miles McBride and Jordan Clarkson as backup point guards for the Knicks, but he’s a solid depth player as he showed at times last season.
Chaz Lanier had 10 points (4-of-11 FGs), two rebounds, four assists, one steal, one block and two three-pointers against the Knicks on Friday.
The Pistons drafted Lanier because of his shooting. The 23-year-old made 3.2 threes per game and shot 39.5 percent from behind the three-point line last year at Tennessee. His Summer League debut wasn’t indicative of the talent the Pistons saw in him. Lanier had just 10 points on 11 shots and was 2-of-7 from behind the three-point line. That’s why he’s getting some much needed experience in Summer League. Lanier will look to provide the Pistons with much needed outside shooting after the team moved on from Tim Hardaway Jr. and Malik Beasley this offseason.
Ron Holland had 28 points (8-of-12 FGs), 11 rebounds, two assists, three steals, one block and four three-pointers in the Pistons’ 104-86 victory over the Knicks on Friday.
Holland did all of his damage in 28 minutes and sat out the fourth quarter. The 20-year-old dominated in all phases of the game. Holland didn’t play regular minutes with the Pistons last year, but the second-year player showed his experience and was clearly the most talented player on the floor. Holland will look to join the Pistons’ regular rotation this season.