The NBA regular season is back in full swing with a fully loaded slate of games on Thursday night, with a total of 12 matchups on the docket scheduled for today, featuring one nationally televised showdown on NBA TV, as Clippers vs Thunder takes center stage at 8:00 p.m. ET.
Our staff of basketball betting experts dug into the latest odds and identified seven NBA picks for tonight's matchups.
Continue below for our NBA picks, odds, props, and predictions for Thursday, December 18.
NBA Picks, Odds, Props, Predictions: Thursday, December 18
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 7:30 p.m. | |
  | 9 p.m. | |
  | 7 p.m. | |
  | 8 p.m. | |
  | 8 p.m. | |
  | 9 p.m. | |
  | 8 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. | ||
Heat vs. Nets
By Kyle Murray
Our old friend is popping once again here, as MPJ continues to be one of my most bet players this season.
He has been awesome this season, and even though he is coming off of a down-game, I am still going right back to him.
MPJ recorded only 23 PRA last game. Despite that, he is stil averaging 41 PRA over his last five games, and he projects for 40.2 in this matchup against the Heat.
The Heat are a tough defensive team, but they also have played at the fastest pace in the NBA, and considering this game has just a 6.5-point spread, we should see 32+ minutes for MPJ in this spot.
Pick: Michael Porter Over 35.5 Points, Rebounds, & Assists (-115)
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Warriors vs. Suns
By Joe Dellera
The Phoenix Suns face off against the Golden State Warriors on Thursday night, and I’m targeting Mark Williams in this matchup.
I love this spot against the Warriors, who have allowed some massive games to bigs lately. Williams also racked up 32 PR against them earlier this season.
Williams is averaging 21.6 PR on the season, but there's potential for both Grayson Allen and Jalen Green to sit, which helps his offensive usage.
He’s actually been a touch better with Devin Booker in the lineup as well, seeing his average move to 22.1 PR. But even without Booker, he's still cleared this mark in 9-of-14 games.
Pick: Mark Williams Over 20.5 Points & Rebounds (-120)
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Knicks vs. Pacers
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 225.5 (-110)
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Wizards vs. Spurs
By Kyle Murray
Castle has been ballin' since returning from injury, and we saw his minutes get ramped up to 33 and 34 minutes in the final two games of the NBA Cup.
Castle might still have some minutes restrictions due to a potential blowout, but even when giving him a conservative 31-minute projection, my model projects him for 20.5 points and 6.8 assists.
Castle should have every opportunity to have a hyper-efficient performance, as he gets an elite matchup against the Wizards, who have allowed the most points and assists per game this season.
Pick: Stephon Castle Over 23.5 Points & Assists (-115)
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Raptors vs. Bucks
By Bet Labs
This NBA system identifies value in conference games where favorites are struggling but still favored by the market.
When a team has recently underperformed yet remains favored, it suggests the betting line reflects long term strength rather than short term results.
These situations often create buying opportunities on quality teams that are due for positive regression after a rough stretch.
Facing familiar conference opponents adds familiarity and stability to performance expectations, while moderate spreads and balanced totals keep volatility in check.
This approach capitalizes on the overreaction to recent form, betting on strong teams to rebound once market sentiment has dipped too far against them.
Pick: Raptors -5.5 (-110)
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Lakers vs. Jazz
By Joe Dellera
The Utah Jazz face off against the Lakers, and once again, I’ll target rookie Ace Bailey.
Ace has been productive as a rookie, he is averaging 10 points per game, but the key lately is that he continues to see his minutes climb as he earns more rotation minutes.
He’s up to nearly 30 minutes per game in December, and he’s taking 10.8 FGAs per game.
Now he gets a matchup against the Lakers, who have a tendency to leave gaps in their defense for quick spot-up shooters to exploit.
Ace basically makes his entire living on catch-and-shoot opportunities, and this is a solid spot against a Lakers team that he has scored 13 and 10 points against, but took double-digit shot attempts in both games.
This is a little bit of a buy-low as well, with Ace having gone under in two straight games.
Pick: Ace Bailey Over 12.5 Points (-115)
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Clippers vs. Thunder
By Bet Labs
This NBA system identifies teams that have struggled against the spread but are poised for short term correction after another poor showing.
When a team has been consistently failing to cover and comes off another game where they fell short of expectations, the betting market tends to overadjust, shading lines too heavily against them.
This creates value for disciplined bettors who recognize that spreads often move more on perception than true performance.
Teams in this range are typically being underestimated, especially as the season progresses beyond the early adjustment phase.
In these spots, motivation to respond is high, public sentiment is low, and pricing inefficiencies emerge that favor the side of teams the market has temporarily abandoned.
Pick: Clippers +17.5 (-110)
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