The NBA regular season is back in full swing with another solid slate of games on Friday night, with a total of five matchups on the docket scheduled for today, featuring an excellent nationally televised doubleheader on Amazon Prime Video, as 76ers vs Knicks takes center stage at 7:00 p.m. ET, followed by Thunder vs Timberwolves at 9:30 p.m. ET.
Our staff of basketball betting experts dug into the latest odds and identified NBA picks for four of tonight's matchups.
Continue below for our NBA picks, odds, props, and predictions for Friday, December 19.
NBA Picks, Odds, Props, Predictions: Friday, December 19
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 7:30 p.m. | |
  | 7 p.m. | |
  | 9:30 p.m. | |
  | 7:30 p.m. | |
Specific betting recommendations come from the sportsbook offering preferred odds as of writing. Always shop for the best price using our NBA Odds page, which automatically surfaces the best lines for every game. | ||
Bulls vs. Cavaliers
I know the Cavaliers have been in rough shape lately, but this is the ultimate revenge spot, having just lost to the Bulls on Wednesday in Chicago.
Donovan Mitchell popped up on the injury report with an illness, but if he is able to give it a go, we’re likely getting 1.5 points of value here.
So, I’ll take my chances with the better team at home with the motivation angle. Give me the Cavs -7 tonight.
Pick: Cavaliers -7 (-110)
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76ers vs. Knicks
By Bet Labs
This NBA system targets regular season situations where home favorites with strong rebounding form bounce back to cover the spread.
When teams control the boards across multiple games, it reflects sustained energy, interior presence, and second-chance scoring potential, all of which translate more effectively at home.
These teams tend to have stable home against-the-spread results and perform particularly well in early and midseason months when effort metrics like rebounding carry extra weight before fatigue or playoff pacing set in.
By focusing on home favorites that are not elite but consistently solid, this strategy captures undervalued stability where rebounding dominance, crowd momentum, and statistical reliability align to produce profitable covers.
Pick: Knicks -4.5 (-105)
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Thunder vs. Timberwolves
By Joe Dellera
Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves face off against the Thunder today, and that means we look at his rebounds prop.
Edwards has cleared 4.5 rebounds in 12-of-14 career games against Oklahoma City, averaging 7.4 boards on 11.7 chances in those contests. Earlier this season, he racked up eight rebounds against them as well.
Ant averages 5.8 rebounds per game in general, and while he may still be in the process of recovering from a foot injury, I'd imagine he's chomping at the bit to get back into the game.
This has been a strong spot for Edwards, so I’ll continue to play this trend.
Pick: Anthony Edwards Over 4.5 Rebounds (-125)
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Spurs vs. Hawks
By Bet Labs
The NBA system titled "Contrarian Overs, Good Road Teams" in totals betting is built on the idea that strong traveling teams can drive pace and scoring in matchups where the market leans too heavily toward the under.
By focusing on regular season games outside of division play, the system avoids slower rivalry environments and taps into contests that tend to be more open and less physical.
It targets overs specifically when the betting public and money trends show a clear lean toward the under, creating a contrarian opportunity where expectations are suppressed but conditions for scoring remain strong.
The away team must be early enough in its season to still carry energy and identity, and it must also be coming off a decisive win, a signal that its offense and confidence are functioning at a high level.
When these elements align, strong road teams often set the tone, push pace, and elevate scoring beyond market expectations, making the over more attractive precisely when it is being overlooked.
Pick: Over 240 (-110)
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