Fantasy Alarm NBA Best Bets earned its 100th successful betting prediction on New Year’s Eve! It was achieved with Meatloaf as the Los Angeles Clippers could not cover the spread against the San Antonio Spurs. That put the season total at +19.34 units, and a 53.76% percentage. Professional marks after 10+ weeks of the NBA.

 

 

 

LeBron James covered his three points made with ease, and there was never a question about Anthony Edwards scoring less than 23.5 against the Oklahoma City Thunder. He scored just 20 points in 39 minutes of gametime. Just under a unit was earned, once again proving ‘Two out of three ain’t bad’.

NBA Picks, Predictions & Best Bets Today, 1/1

The 2025 calendar year opens up with eight great games today, none of which are nationally televised.

There are a couple new faces in the column, which is appropriate because this is a new year. One of the faces is our NBA best bets ‘Bet of the Night’.

 

 

 

Bulls vs. Wizards Prediction: Ladder- Josh Giddy O7.5 Rebounds (+100 on Bet365), 10+ Rebounds (+290 on Bet365) *Bet of the Night

Josh Giddy is playing a much different role for the Chicago Bulls than he did for the Oklahoma City Thunder. It is beneficial for him, fantasy basketball managers who have him rostered, and bettors of his over.

Usually The Well is the go to in Chicago games, but we hit the sportsbooks hard with Nikola Vucevic over 1.5 threes made. The line is heavily juiced today, but by all means bet it if you need to add to your bankroll. In looking at data elsewhere on the Bulls, Giddy has some interesting notes since returning from injury.

In a ten day span Giddy missed four games, but has been active for the Bulls last two games. In those games he played 29 and 30 minutes, and earned 12 rebounds the 30th, and 15 rebounds the 28th. A massive increase from his 6.9 average on the season. In his two games prior to injury he earned 9 rebounds in each of those as well.

Giddy is attacking the glass, and in situations in which Vucevic is on the perimeter Giddy is Chicago’s primary rebounder. At 6’ 8” he is taller than most teams backcourt and playing 30 or more minutes against a terrible rebounding team, the Washington Wizards, should lead to several opportunities.

The total on this match is 238.5 points, implying tons of offense and minimal defense. Put a two-step ladder on Giddy to keep up his great rebounding tonight. A unit on each, so if he covers the 7.5 line, it’s at minimum a wash. Should he earn 10+ rebounds it would be an almost 4 unit gain off of the Bet of the Night.

 

 

 

Magic vs. Pistons Prediction: Goga Bitadze To Record A Double-Double (+120 on Bet365)

Lately Goga Bitadze has been a focal point of research in the basement of the Fantasy Alarm Betting Bungalow. The Orlando Magic are a fascinating team from a data perspective, and a fun team to watch. They are experiencing their best era since the Dwight Howard years.

20-14 on the season, with a defense that allows just 103.5 points per game. With a true next man up approach to the game, players are over performing their expectations. One of those players is Goga Bitadze.

Bitadze has really begun to surge once Moritz Wagner was lost to the season due to a torn ACL. Opportunity favors the bold and Bitadze is just that. His season rebounding average is only 8.4, but that was due to low minutes to begin the season. 

In his last ten games he has played 25 or more minutes in all but one game. Six of which he has played 31 or more minutes. In eight of his last nine games he has recorded 10 or more rebounds, and his line tonight is set at 9.5 with juiced odds.

As always instead of taking a juiced 9.5 line, a look at the double-double line is suggested. Sometimes it is lower, sometimes it is higher. For Bitadze the difference is substantial. His point line is set at 12.5, and he has 10 or more points in seven of his last nine games. 

It is a smart bet to place it on his double-double if you believe he gets 10 or more rebounds, which is the prediction tonight. Put a unit on Bitadze who plays with maximum effort.

 

 

 

NBA Player Props & Other Picks Today, 1/1

There is one line in the straight bets that really sticks out. So much so that is a wager in today’s NBA best bets.

 

 

 

Hawks vs. Nuggets Prediction: Total Over 247.5 (-110 on Bet365) *0.5 Unit

247.5 points is the highest line I can recall seeing this season, and rightfully so. For the Atlanta Hawks and Denver Nuggets, defense is a mythical word found only with unicorns and dragons. Offense however, that is the philosophy to which they abide by every time they enter an arena. 

It is unreal seeing a 247.5-point line yet validated with how each team has scored and allowed recently. Atlanta allows an average of 118.8 points per game, while the Nuggets allow 117.5 points. That alone is an average of 236.3, which is terrible.But more importantly each team is scoring well above their average lately.

The Hawks have scored 136, 120, and 141 in their last three games. Meanwhile the Denver Nuggets have scored 132, 134, and 135 points in their last three games. Denver also allowed 121, 121, and 149 to be scored against them in that span.

Also, while each team makes several threes, it is their fast break effort and great mid-range game that allow them to get to those numbers. A bad three-point night doesn’t necessarily mean this pick is unsuccessful. However, only put half a unit down, due to the fact that it is 248 points that is needed.

 

 

 

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Bet Smart, Be Lucky - Iggy

*All odds accurate at time of writing and NBA best bets to be placed at 1 unit unless specified otherwise