NBA Betting Picks for Thursday 12/21/23: Los Angeles Looks to Clip the Thunder

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

Utah Jazz at Detroit Pistons

Jazz -1 (-112)

The Utah Jazz against the Detroit Pistons is not the most appealing matchup -- to say the least. The Jazz are 10-18 and 4-6 over their last 10 games, and the Pistons are still on their brutal losing streak which is now at 24 consecutive losses.

This pick feels pretty simple to me. Detroit is on the verge of history; the 2010-11 Cleveland Cavaliers have the longest losing streak in NBA history at 26 games. The Pistons only need to lose a few more games, and considering their recent performances, it feels like Detroit is on the path to setting a new record.

The Pistons are 3-7 against the spread (ATS) over the last 10 games. Most of these games have not been close either with Detroit losing 6 of them by at least 10 points. Utah has their own problems and will likely be without their starting backcourt in Keyonte George (10.9 points per game (PPG)) and Jordan Clarkson (16.6 PPG). The Jazz still have the tools to expose the Pistons' defense, which has the fifth-worst rating.

Utah, who attempts the 10th-most three-pointers per game, could look to attack the paint more often. Their shots from beyond the arc could dip with the potential absence of Clarkson -- who ranks second on the team with 5.5 three-point attempts per game. Plus, Detroit gives up the second-fewest three-point shots per game.

Lauri Markkanen (23.3 PPG) takes 8.2 three-point attempts per game but 38.1% of his shots still comes within 10 feet of the basket. John Collins (14.4 PPG) also shoots 59.0% of his attempts within 14 feet of the basket.

With the Jazz totaling the 14th-most points in the paint per game and the Pistons giving up the 7th-most points in the paint per game, Utah could feast around the rim. Detroit will also be without their starting center Jalen Duren, who has the top defensive rating among qualifying players on the team at 111.8.

Missing Duren -- who leads the Pistons with 10.9 rebounds per game (RPG) -- could also give Utah the leg up in the rebounding battle. The Jazz total the 3rd-most RPG and have the 2nd-best offensive rebounding percentage; Detroit averages the 9th-fewest RPG and 10th-fewest defensive RPG.

Utah could dominant the painted area led by Markkanen and Collins. Give me the Jazz to cover the spread on the road.

New Orleans Pelicans at Cleveland Cavaliers

Over 229 (-110)

The New Orleans Pelicans against the Cleveland Cavaliers could lack some star power as Zion Williamson (22.0 PPG) and Donovan Mitchell (27.7 PPG) are questionable. Plus, Evan Mobley (16.0 PPG) and Darius Garland (20.7 PPG) will be out. With both teams ranking among the top 12 defensive ratings, this could suggest a low-scoring game. However, the over could be the wise pick even with key players potentially absent.

The over is 5-3 over the Pelicans' previous eight games, and it is 4-1 in the Cavs' last five contests. New Orleans is averaging 126.8 PPG and Cleveland has totaled 121.2 PPG over their last five games. These offenses are red-hot and both units have potential advantages for tonight's clash.

First, let's breakdown where New Orleans could excel. They attempt the fifth-most free throws per game while the Cavaliers give up the ninth-most free throws per game.

C.J. McCollum (20.4 PPG) and Brandon Ingram (23.5 PPG), who rank within the top five on the team in free throws attempted per game, could frequently get to the charity stripe. If Williamson and/or Jonas Valanciunas (14.9 PPG) play, the Pels could live at the line. Both players rank within the top four of free throws shot per game.

Along with easy points at the free throw line, New Orleans could attack the paint as they average the ninth-most points in the paint per game. Cleveland allows the ninth-fewest points in the paint per game, but without Mobley (team-best 109.4 defensive rating), this defense is vastly different. Jarrett Allen will now be the primary rim defender, and he has the worst defensive rating among starters (115.8).

The Cavs could also light up the scoreboard by attacking the painted area. They average the 12th-most points in the paint per game and have the 9th-best mark in two-point percentage. Meanwhile, the Pelicans have the fifth-worst opponent two-point percentage.

Cleveland could potentially be without their top three scorers, which would likely put the load on Caris LeVert, Max Strus, and Allen. LeVert is averaging 18.8 PPG over his last four games, Strus totaled 17.5 PPG over the previous two contests, and Allen posted 17.3 PPG in his last three outings.

The over has consistently hit in recent Pelicans and Cavaliers games. I don't expect that trend to change with both interior defenses being susceptible.

Los Angeles Clippers at Oklahoma City Thunder

Clippers +4.5 (-114)

To round out my picks for Thursday, I'm backing the Los Angeles Clippers on the road against the Oklahoma City Thunder. According to FanDuel Sportsbook's NBA Finals odds, the Clippers have the fifth-shortest odds to win the Larry O'Brien Trophy (+1200). Los Angeles certainly looks the part with a nine-game winning streak while going 7-2 ATS.

The Thunder are no slouch, though. They hold the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference and are 4-1 over their previous five contests.

My anticipation for this matchup is through the roof. Los Angeles' veteran trio of James Harden (17.1 PPG), Paul George (22.9 PPG), and Kawhi Leonard (24.4 PPG) will look to silence OKC's young core of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (30.7 PPG), Jalen Williams (17.1 PPG), and Chet Holmgren (16.9 PPG).

The Clippers' offense has taken efficiency to the next level. They hold the fifth-best marks with a 48.7% field goal percentage (FG%) and 38.2% three-point percentage on the season. During the winning streak, LA is shooting a blistering 52.4% from the field and 41.4% from beyond the arc.

For reference, the Indiana Pacers lead the NBA with a 50.3 FG% and the Miami Heat has the top three-point percentage at 39.4%. The Clips' recent shooting marks are both well above the league's best marks.

Oklahoma City's perimeter defense could be exposed as they allow the second-most three-point attempts per game. On the season, Los Angeles averages 12.4 three-point makes per game (13th-fewest), but that's been raised to 13.7 converted three-pointers per contest during the winning streak. Harden -- who has shot 16 of 29 from three (55.2%) over the last four games -- is one shooter who could shine.

The Thunder also attempt the 11th-fewest three-pointers per game while totaling the 8th-most points in the paint per contest. The Clippers have an adequate interior defense, giving up the 11th-fewest points in the paint per game. Ivica Zubac (109.7 defensive rating) and Leonard (109.4 defensive rating) man the frontcourt with exceptional defensive ratings.

Los Angeles is like oil in a frying pan with their blistering shooting numbers during the nine-game winning streak. That could continue tonight against the Thunder. The Clippers are at least worth a spread pick when streaking as 7-3 ATS over their last 10 games.

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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.