NBA Betting Picks for Tuesday 12/12/23: Star Player Returns to Action for the Suns

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 projections paired with advanced stats from the NBA can help give the inside track to winning big.

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.

NBA Best Bets

Los Angeles Lakers at Dallas Mavericks

Under 232.5 (-110)

The Los Angeles Lakers are playing in their first game since winning the In-Season Tournament on December 9th and are looking to continue their four-game winning streak on the road against the Dallas Mavericks, who have won three consecutive games.

Both teams are coming in hot led by rolling offenses. LA is averaging 128.0 points per game (PPG) over their last two games while Dallas is averaging 128.0 PPG over the previous four contests. This could be a high-scoring affair, making the over an intriguing pick.

The Lakers tout the best defensive rating in the matchup with the sixth-best mark compared to the Mavericks holding the ninth-worst rating. Los Angeles should certainly have their advantages on offense.

For example, they average the fourth-most points in the paint per game while Dallas gives up the ninth-most points in the paint per game. Anthony Davis comes off a 41-point and 20-rebound showing. This could be a "welcome to the NBA moment" for Dereck Lively, who will likely guard Davis and has a 112.4 defensive rating.

Injuries could halt LA's paint attack, though. Davis (22.7 PPG) and LeBron James (25.0 PPG) are both questionable for tonight's game. Davis shoots 76.0% of his shots within 10 feet of the basket, and James attempts 58.8% of his looks within 14 feet of the basket. Potentially being without this two-headed monster could lead to a low-scoring game, especially with both players hitting their stride during the In-Season Tournament.

While the Lakers' defense has excelled in recent games, Dallas' three-point shooting could spell trouble. The Mavs average the most three-point shots per game in the league, and Los Angeles gives up the fifth-most three-point attempts per game. Similar to the Lakers, injuries could be a problem for the Mavs. They could be without Kyrie Irving (23.0 PPG), Tim Hardaway Jr. (16.9 PPG), and Grant Williams (9.8 PPG), who all shoot better than 38.0% on three-pointers.

Last-minute calls on injuries could ultimately decide if this total goes over or under. If these key contributors do play, both offenses have potential advantages that should lead to plenty of points. But for now, I'm going with the under due to the long list of questionable players -- especially the status of Davis and James.

Cleveland Cavaliers at Boston Celtics

Under 224 (-110)

Another game in the 7:30 p.m. ET slot looks like a favorable bet. The Cleveland Cavaliers travel to take on the Boston Celtics, who carries a league-best 10-0 home record. Cleveland has slim odds of winning this one as 10.5-point underdogs.

Fortunately, this matchup has far fewer injuries than the Lakers-Mavericks, which makes taking a side a less daunting task. Boston is fully healthy, and Caris LeVert (out) and Evan Mobley (questionable) are the only injury concerns for Cleveland.

The backcourt matchup between Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell against Jrue Holiday and Derrick White could decide the total result. Garland (20.5 PPG; 27.4% usage rate) and Mitchell (32.0% usage rate; 27.3 PPG) lead the team in usage rate and combine for 43.3% of Cleveland's scoring average of 110.5 PPG.

Of course, if Garland and Mitchell are limited, the Cavs' offense typically struggles. The Celtics could be one of the worst matchups in the league for Cleveland due to their defensive backcourt led by Holiday (109.8 defensive rating) and White (108.0 defensive rating). The elite defensive backcourt has helped lift Boston's rating to the fourth-best mark in the NBA.

The Cavaliers also look to attack the rim with the eighth-most points in the paint per game, but the Celtics give up the seventh-fewest points in the paint per game while opponents shoot 49.7% on two-point looks (second-lowest). Mobley's potential absence would further hurt Cleveland's paint attack, as 90.8% of his shots come from within 14 feet of the basket.

Boston is not the only team with an impressive defense, though, as the Cavs have the seventh-best defensive rating. The Celtics attempt the second-most three-point shots per game, and Cleveland gives up the eighth-fewest three-point attempts per game.

This matchup could be headed for the under. The Celtics have the ability to frustrate Cleveland's star duo, and the Cavaliers' perimeter defense could slow one of the league's top three-point barrages. The under is also 6-1 in the Cavs' last seven games.

Golden State Warriors at Phoenix Suns

Suns -3.5 (-112)

I felt like I've had this discussion a million times, but the Phoenix Suns' star trio could finally be together for tonight's clash against the Golden State Warriors.

Bradley Beal is expected to return from his back injury following a one-month absence (his last appearance was November 12th). Devin Booker is healthy and has played in three consecutive games, averaging 27.7 PPG. Of course, nothing is ever simple with the status of NBA stars. Kevin Durant missed the previous game and is questionable with an ankle sprain. Either way, Phoenix should have at least two of their stars in Booker and Beal.

Booker (32.7% usage rate) will likely take on the lead role, as his usage rate jumps to 35.6% when Durant is off of the court. Beal (17.3 PPG) has only played in three games this season, but his usage rate sits at 38.0% when Durant is not playing.

As you can probably tell, the Suns will probably lean heavily on their backcourt for scoring tonight. Fortunately, the Warriors have a middle-of-the-road defense (14th-worst rating). The backcourt of Stephen Curry (117.9 defensive rating) and Klay Thompson (119.2 defensive rating) have weak defensive ratings, and perhaps Golden State's best defender Gary Payton II (106.4 defensive rating) will be absent with a calf strain.

The Warriors could be hard-pressed to slow Phoenix's top scorers, and the Suns have a solid perimeter defense to slow Golden State's three-point attack. As usual, the Splash Brothers are frequently shooting threes with Curry attempting 11.8 per game and Thompson hoisting 7.8 shots per game. The Warriors attempt the fourth-most three-point shots per game, but Phoenix gives up the seventh-fewest three-point attempts per contest.

If Durant (31.0 PPG) does play, this spread will likely only further move in the Suns' favor, as the Warriors' Draymond Green (119.0 defensive rating) would likely guard his former teammate.

I'm hopping on Phoenix's spread before the odds shift. The Suns seem poised to snap their two-game losing streak with a potential advantage in the backcourt.

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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.