The NBA Cup semifinals will commence in Las Vegas, Nevada this Saturday, with a total of 2 matchups on the docket today. So, our staff of basketball experts dug into the latest odds and identified all the best betting value on the board for tonight's duo of contests.
Our betting experts have looked over the odds and made 4 NBA picks for today's matchups. Continue below for our NBA best bets and predictions for Saturday, December 14.
NBA Best Bets, Predictions, Picks: Saturday, December 14
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 4:30 p.m. | |
| 4:30 p.m. | |
  | 8:30 p.m. | |
| 8:30 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. | ||
Hawks vs. Bucks
By Joe Dellera
Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks take on the Hawks in the NBA Cup Semifinals this Saturday, and I’m expecting another monster performance from Giannis.
Giannis is averaging 32.7 points per game on the season, and he scored 31 about few days ago against the Hawks.
That game was interesting though. Giannis only had 14 field goal attempts. But that’s because he took an insane 26 free throws and only made 15 of them. There is a lot more upside than what meets the eye.
The Hawks play at the third-fastest Pace in the league and it’s an elite Pace-Up spot for Giannis. He always gets up for these games and I expect him to do so again today in Vegas.
Pick: Giannis Antetokounmpo Over 32.5 Points (-115)
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Hawks vs. Bucks
I am backing the Milwaukee Bucks in the semifinals of the NBA Cup today. They recently played and lost to the Hawks, so they will show urgency right out of the gate, as they did against Orlando, Detroit, and Miami in their previous three NBA Cup games.
The line movement also suggest this is a Bucks spot, and probably the strongest on the card.
Despite a rash amount of backers on the Hawks, the line is starting to shift out towards Milwaukee. It's shaping up as a pros vs. joes, sharps vs. squares game where I want to position myself with the sharp side in the Milwaukee Bucks.
In the prop market I like Damian Lillard under 4.5 rebounds, as well as De'Andre Hunter under 4.5 rebounds.
Pick: Bucks -3.5 (-115)
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Rockets vs. Thunder
By Alex Hinton
On Wednesday night, the Rockets defeated the Warriors by a score of 91-90 to advance to the semifinals of the NBA Cup.
In the process, it was their first victory this season in which they did not cover the spread. Houston is still a gaudy 16-9 ATS this season, but the Thunder are 15-7-2 ATS themselves.
On Saturday night, two of the league's most talented young cores will be on display in Las Vegas. However, the Thunder are a couple of years ahead in their process. They are one of four teams that ranks top-10 in both offensive and defensive rating. They also lead the NBA with a +12.0 net rating.
Additionally, unlike Houston, Oklahoma City has a bonafide superstar and MVP candidate. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 30.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 6.3 assists this season. He has scored 29 points or more in nine of his last 10 games against the Rockets, including 29 and 32 points in the first two meetings this season.
The Thunder have won five of the last eight meetings and all five wins have come by double digits. Led by Gilgeous-Alexander, I like the Thunder to win by at least six points tonight.
Pick: Thunder -5.5 (-105)
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Rockets vs. Thunder
By Nick Parsons
Houston has been consistently undervalued and overlooked this year. That includes by the Thunder, who lost by a score of 119-116 at the Rockets on in early December.
Typically I like betting on teams that are in bounce-back spots, but not always. And this is one of those rare cases. If this were in fact in OKC, and if this wasn't the type of game that it was, then I believe I'd almost certainly be leaning more towards the Thunder.
But here on this neutral court, OKC does not enjoy any advantages as far as the crowd is concerned. Houston matches up really well against the Thunder, and in a contest that I see being decided by whichever team has its hands on the ball last, I'm grabbing the points with Houston tonight.
Pick: Rockets +5.5 (-115)
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