NBA Betting Picks for Tuesday 12/26/23: Grizzlies Look to Keep Hot Streak Alive

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

Orlando Magic at Washington Wizards

Under 238 (-110)

The Orlando Magic are on a rough stretch with a 1-4 record over their last five games, but a matchup against the 5-23 Washington Wizards could cure Orlando's worries. The Magic's defense, which boasts the league's fourth-best rating, looks to be a clear advantage in this clash.

Washington's second-leading scorer Jordan Poole, who totals 17.5 points per game (PPG), has been inefficient with a 40.8% field goal percentage (FG%). Poole continues to go viral on the internet due to his flashy play, which can lead to some jaw-dropping buckets or foolish decisions. Poole's inefficient play does not tell the whole story about the Wizards' offense, though.

While the offense has the 9th-worst rating, Washington has solid shooting numbers with the 8th-best FG% and 11th-best effective field goal percentage (eFG%). Plus, they total the 10th-most PPG in the Association. The unit mostly relies on attacking the basket with the 2nd-most points in the paint per game while attempting the 13th-fewest three-pointers per game.

Orlando's defense could prove to be too much, though. Most importantly, they have a rock-solid interior, giving up the ninth-fewest points in the paint per game while being in the top half of opponent two-point percentage. The Magic also have an excellent defender in Franz Wagner (110.4 defensive rating), who will likely defend the Wizards' lead-scoring Kyle Kuzma (23.0 PPG).

The pace of this matchup will likely decide the total. Washington plays at the NBA's quickest pace while averaging the 6th-most field goal attempts per game, and the Magic have the 15th-quickest pace while attempting the 4th-fewest shots per contest. The Magic could look to slow the game down, and their ability to dominate the glass could reign supreme.

The Wizards have the worst marks in defensive and offensive rebounding percentages, and Orlando has the top defensive rebounding percentage in the league and the 10th-best offensive rebounding percentage.

The under is 4-1 over Washington's previous five games, and it is 3-1 in the Magic's last four contests. I believe the under trend will continue for tonight's collision.

Memphis Grizzlies at New Orleans Pelicans

Grizzlies +4.5 (-110)

Since Ja Morant's return from suspension on December 19th, the Memphis Grizzlies have looked like a new team on a three-game winning streak while going 3-0 against the spread (ATS). Morant is averaging 28.0 PPG with a 50.8 FG% during the streak. Memphis didn't wait for Morant's feet to get wet, either, as he carries a team-best 33.8% usage rate since his return.

Following December 19th's 115-113 win over the New Orleans Pelicans, the Grizzlies are looking to grab another head-to-head win on Tuesday. The Pelicans are 1-2 outright and ATS over their last three games. Memphis was able to win the last matchup thanks to an advantage in points in the paint (62 to New Orleans' 50).

The Grizzlies could have the upper hand around the rim once again thanks to their strong paint defense. They give up the fewest points in the paint per game while totaling the third-most blocks per game, and opponents shoot 50.9% on two-pointers (fourth-best). According to FanDuel's NBA awards odds, Jaren Jackson Jr. has the fifth-shortest odds to win Defensive Player of the Year (+2600). Jackson touts a 111.9 defensive rating and averages 1.7 blocks per game. He will likely play a big role in slowing the Pels' paint attack once again.

Memphis' offense has dramatically improved with Morant back in the lineup. Over the last three contests, the Grizzlies have a 51.7 FG% while averaging 62.0 points in the paint per game. For reference, Memphis has a 44.0 FG% (second-worst) and total 46.6 points in the paint per game (seventh-worst) on the season.

With the improved offense and excellent paint defense, give me the Grizzlies to cover the spread on the road.

Sacramento Kings at Portland Trail Blazers

Under 236.5 (-110)

The Portland Trail Blazers have the fourth-worst offensive rating in the NBA, yet they are averaging 114.9 PPG over their previous eight games. Keep in mind Portland totals only 108.0 PPG on the season, the second-worst mark in the league.

Anfernee Simons' return from injury has been a huge boost to the offense. Over his last eight games, Simons is averaging 27.9 PPG while shooting 46.9% from the field and 39.2% from beyond the arc.

The Blazers will face the Sacramento Kings, who has the 12th-best offensive rating and 10th-worst defensive rating. Scoring is in the Kings' DNA, as they average 117.5 PPG (eighth-most) with a 55.7 eFG% (fifth-best).

While Portland has the 17th-best defensive rating in the NBA, they lack exceptional individual defenders. Deandre Ayton (116.9 defensive rating), Jerami Grant (117.2 defensive rating), and Simons (122.1 defensive rating) all have underwhelming defensive ratings as starters. The paint defense is a big concern with the Blazers giving up the third-most points in the paint per game.

The Trail Blazers' offense has picked up the pace, and the Kings boast one of the league's best scoring units. Put two and two together and the over certainly makes sense. However, the under could be the best bet with both teams leaning on three-point shooting.

Sacramento attempts the 3rd-most threes per game, and Portland shoots the 13th-most three-pointers per game. Both squads feature exceptional perimeter defenses, as the Kings give up the fourth-fewest three-point attempts per contest while the Trail Blazers allow the fifth-fewest.

Both teams are also among the bottom 11 in points in the paint per game. They could simply lack the tools to take advantage of weak paint defenses.

The under is 3-1 over the Blazers' previous four games, and it has hit in back-to-back Kings games. I'm targeting the under due to the strong perimeter defenses.

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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.