We have just six games on tap in the NBA on Saturday: the penultimate day on the 2023 calendar. We have two twilight games starting at 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. ET, one tip at 7 p.m. ET, and the remaining three contests at 8 p.m. ET or later.
Let’s continue to try and build that bankroll through the holiday season.
Saturday’s Best NBA Bets
Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook | All wagers are for 1 unit
Toronto Raptors at Detroit Pistons (6:00 PM ET)
The Raptors were on the short end of a 120-118 game in Boston on Friday night, and now they face the quick turnaround in the Motor City. Toronto has cashed in consecutive games for the first time since covering three in a row from Nov. 22-26. Even with the two covers, Toronto is just 4-8 ATS across the past 12 games.
The last time these teams played, Toronto topped Detroit by a 142-113 score on Nov. 19 as 9.5-point favorites. That was the 11th loss in the NBA record-tying 28-game losing streak. The Raps have won five straight meetings in this series, while covering the past two battles.
The Pistons have dropped the 28 games in a row, and Detroit is just 9-19 ATS during the historic skid. However, Detroit has covered two in a row heading into this game. It’s time for the streak to come to an end on Saturday in the Motor City.
Bets: Pistons +4.5 (-110)
Philadelphia 76ers at Chicago Bulls (8:00 PM ET)
The 76ers could potentially be without Joel Embiid (ankle) and KJ Martin (illness) for Saturday’s trip to the Windy City. Paul Reed made the start in the most recent game in Houston with Embiid on the shelf, and Philly still got the job done in a 131-127 victory as 1.5-point favorites.
Embiid was also sidelined in Orlando on Wednesday, and the Sixers excelled with a 112-92 win as a 2-point underdog, so don’t overthink Embiid’s absence too much. Plus, the Bulls are will be without Nikola Vucevic until mid-January due to a groin injury.
The last time these teams played in Philly, the Bulls came away with a 108-104 victory as 10.5-point underdogs on Dec. 18. The Bulls are 11-3 ATS in the past 14 games overall. Chicago has had the number of Philadelphia, winning three of the previous four meetings, while also going 3-1 ATS in this series since Jan. 6, 2023. Back the home side.
Bets: Bulls -1.5 (-110)
Dallas Mavericks at Golden State Warriors (8:30 PM ET)
The Mavericks head to the Bay Area to battle the Warriors, and Dallas is looking to snap a two-game losing skid. Dallas is just 2-5 SU in the past seven games, while going 3-4 ATS.
On the flip side, the Dubs have also lost two in a row, but they’re 5-2 SU in the past seven outings, while going 3-1-1 ATS in the past five games overall. Golden State is just 3-4 ATS in the past seven tries against Western Conference opponents.
The Warriors have dominated this series lately, winning six times in the past eight head-to-head clashes, although Dallas has covered three in a row in the series, with the Over going a perfect 5-0 in the past five battles. However, while the series trends say Over, the trends for both teams lately suggest going low on the total. The Under is 6-1 in the past seven games overall for the Mavs, while cashing in the past three road outings. The Under is 3-1 in the past four games for the Warriors, too.
Bets: Under 240.5 (-108)
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