Conference Check-Ins

There are 13 games taking place across the NBA tonight, but the two that are most intriguing pit a handful of contenders against one another. The Clippers will visit the 76ers, while the Nets host the Bucks - all four of these squads are hitting early-season strides, and each matchup will offer a look at a potential playoff preview. Before we get into those games, peep what Siakam did at the Garden on Wednesday 🌶

Also, this is the last newsletter for a few days. Hope you all enjoy your Christmas, the NBA Sunday lineup is outstanding (see here) 📺

📍 Eastern Conference Top-6

• Bucks: 22-9

• Celtics: 22-10

• Cavs: 22-11

• Nets: 20-12

• 76ers: 18-12

• Knicks: 18-14

Things at the top of the Eastern Conference are tight, and a number of teams have pulled closer to the Celtics and Bucks. Cleveland, Brooklyn, Philly and New York have gone at least 7-3 in their last 10 - expect the exact order of the top six to undergo a number of shifts before it's all said and done 🍿

📍 Western Conference Top-6

• Nuggets: 19-11

• Grizzlies: 19-11

• Pelicans: 19-12

• Suns: 19-13

• Clippers: 19-14

• Kings: 17-13

The West is even more up in the air, and lacks a true frontrunner like the East. The Suns are the betting favorite to win the conference at +300, but are a considerably longer shot than the Celtics, who are +180 to come out on top on the other side. I guess that's how it goes when there's still 40+ games to go 😏

I have to say I'm in direct opposition to the oddsmakers when it comes to the future Western Conference winner — even though the Suns' record is good, I don't trust them to maintain their play throughout the season, as some early signs of disfunction have revealed themselves. The Pelicans and Nuggets on the other hand offer good value, and both teams seem to be coming into their own as of late 👀

Contender Previews

Now, without further ado, let's look into the matchups of the night. A perfect storm of events would have to unfold for the Clippers and Sixers to meet each other in the Finals, but a Bucks and Nets playoff matchup is much more likely to take place

📍 Clippers vs. Sixers Preview

The Sixers are hot right now, having won six consecutive games, including Ws against Toronto and Golden State (granted, without Steph). Embiid is picking up right where he left off last season and leads the league in scoring at 32.5 PPG 🌍

• Although stats might not reflect it, Kawhi Leonard is getting back to form, and has logged 30.6 MPG over his last five games, while adding 20.8 PPG/8.2 RPG/1.6 SPG. It's not eye-popping, but it looks like the Klaw is starting feeling to feel it

• I don't think LAC has an answer for Embiid inside, and they are prone to getting eviscerated by highly athletic big men. I'm leaning towards Philly on this one tonight

Betting Preview (subject to change)

• Spread: Sixers -4

• Moneyline: Sixers -158 (bet $158 to win $100), Clippers +134 (bet $100 to win $134)

• Over/Under: 216

📍 Bucks vs. Nets Preview

Speaking of hot teams right now, the Nets have the longest win streak in the league right now, having won 7 in a row and 11 of their last 12. Brooklyn is dangerous at home, holding a 11-5 record at Barclays 🏠

• KD is doing KD things — in his last five games he's averaging 31.6 PPG on 60.4/45.8/96.9 shooting splits

• Giannis has also been dominant, putting up at least 40 points in his last two outings

• Again I'm going with the home team tonight, I think the Nets are clicking right now and play exceedingly well at home...they're shooting 39.6% from deep at Barclays

Betting Preview

• Spread: Nets -3

• Moneyline: Nets -142 (bet $142 to win $100), Bucks +120 (bet $100 to win $120)

• Over/Under: 225.5

For My Parlay Gurus

I'm taking a simple parlay tonight — the Nets manage to hold strong against the Bucks and preserve their win streak, while the Sixers walk away with a win and add to their own. Give me the Nets' spread and the Sixers' moneyline. Check it out 👇

• Nets -3 vs. Bucks: -110

• Sixers ML vs. Clippers: -158

$100 on this bet would win you $212 — if we hit, make sure you email [email protected] for a chance to win up to $100*. Many will enter, only some will win 😉

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