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5 Best NBA Bets and Player Props for Sunday 12/15/24

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5 Best NBA Bets and Player Props for Sunday 12/15/24

The 82-game NBA regular season offers us a wide variety of betting options, including point spreads, moneylines, and totals. The Association features 1,230 regular season games, which can make sifting through the odds an overwhelming task.

However, various advanced statistics can help narrow the choices. numberFire's NBA power rankings and daily NBA projections paired with advanced stats from the NBA can help give the inside track to quality bets.

While utilizing some of the mentioned tools, which NBA odds from FanDuel Sportsbook look like the best bets today?

Please note lines are subject to change throughout the day after this article is published. All injury news comes from the NBA's official injury report.

Today's Best NBA Bets and Player Props

Minnesota Timberwolves at San Antonio Spurs

Timberwolves Over 109.5 Points (-110)
Rudy Gobert Over 10.5 Points (-115)

Away Team Total Points

Dec 16 12:10am UTCMore odds in Sportsbook

The veteran acquisitions of Chris Paul and Harrison Barnes paid dividends for the San Antonio Spurs early-season defense, but those are already diminishing.

Over every team's respective last 10 games, San Antonio has the third-worst defensive rating (118.6 DRTG) while playing at the league's 11th-highest pace.

The Minnesota Timberwolves's league-best DRTG in this time (101.2) checks out with their personnel and last year's ranking, so I'm not trifling with this full-game over, but the Wolves should be able to score.

This is a huge pace-up spot for them, so while the Timberwolves haven't exceeded 109 points in their last seven games (!), oddsmakers haven't handed out a free under here. San Antonio has ceded at least 115 points in seven of their last eight games. It's almost a different sport.

numberFire is forecasting 113.7 median points for Minny this evening.

Rudy Gobert - Points

Dec 16 12:10am UTCMore odds in Sportsbook

A player who could help them get there is Rudy Gobert.

Gobert will never be known for offense, but it's possible a little friendly rivalry with fellow countryman Victor Wembanyama brings out a little aggression on that end, and this would be the spot for it. San Antonio -- usually tasking Wemby with help defense -- has allowed the sixth-most points per game to opposing centers.

Quietly, the four-time DPOY has scored in double figures three times this month (five games), averaging 11.6 points per contest. In a plus matchup, our daily NBA projections expect 12.6 points from the pivot on Sunday.

New York Knicks at Orlando Magic

Knicks -4 (-106)

Spread Betting

Dec 15 11:10pm UTCMore odds in Sportsbook

In two games without Franz Wagner (oblique), the Orlando Magic have beaten the Phoenix Suns and gave the Milwaukee Bucks everything they could handle in the NBA Cup quarterfinals.

This just can't possibly be sustainable.

With Wagner on the court this year, they have a +8.4 net rating (NRTG), according to PBP Stats. Without him on the floor, that NRTG drops to -2.8. Though they've hung on across 96 minutes while also still missing Paolo Banchero (oblique), this is going to be a bad basketball team soon enough.

That's not ideal news opposite a healthy New York Knicks squad that has a +7.6 NRTG when their starting five all played in the game.

Surprisingly, only 66% of the bets at FanDuel are on New York, but 74% of the money is to indicate a sharp play. I expected both figures closer to 90%. Orlando will pull back with such crucial injuries at some point.

Memphis Grizzlies at Los Angeles Lakers

Under 234.5 Points (-110)
Ja Morant Under 28.5 Points and Rebounds (-113)

Total Points

Under
Dec 16 2:40am UTCMore odds in Sportsbook

I couldn't have imagined myself betting a Los Angeles Lakers under a couple of weeks ago, but they've quietly steadied the ship amid the offense imploding without LeBron James (foot).

In lieu of a bottom-five DRTG, L.A. ranks just ninth-worst in that regard (114.5) over their last 10 games. In this same time, the Lakers have the league's second-worst offensive rating (102.6 ORTG) and have shifted down to its seventh-slowest pace, though. All of these changes will help the case for an under.

This total implies LeBron will play, but Memphis Grizzlies is also just scorching at the moment. They're a top-seven team over their last 10 games by ORTG and NRTG while playing at the league's fastest pace (106.2). Talk about a buzzsaw.

Nonetheless, this highest total of the day might have creeped too high. nF expects just 232.1 points in this contest, and this line could absolutely plummet if James is ruled out.

Ja Morant - Pts + Reb

Ja Morant Under
Dec 16 2:40am UTCMore odds in Sportsbook

If betting Memphis' game under wasn't scary enough, how about Ja Morant's combo prop?

The dynamic guard is averaging 28.2 points and rebounds (PR) per game this month to head up the Grizzlies' buzzsaw, but this has also come with 38.7% three-point shooting compared to a 31.7% rate for the season.

Los Angeles' defensive issues have largely come from the interior, so it might be a surprise that the bottom-10 defense is actually allowing the 5th-fewest points and 12th-fewest rebounds to opposing point guards. I've left out assists here with L.A. surrendering the sixth-most while funneling passes inside.

We've got Ja projected for just 22.5 PR in this game. That'd only grow more concerning in a potential blowout without LeBron.


From the opening tip to unbelievable buzzer beaters, you can watch it all with NBA League Pass on us! All FanDuel customers who bet $5 will get a 3-month trial of NBA League Pass. See here for full terms and conditions. Learn about today’s other offers at FanDuel Sportsbook Promos.

Looking for the latest NBA odds? Head over to FanDuel Sportsbook and check out all of the NBA betting options.

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The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.

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