The NBA regular season is back in full swing with another solid slate of games on Monday night, with a total of seven matchups on the docket scheduled for today, featuring an excellent nationally televised doubleheader on Peacock, as Hornets vs Cavaliers takes center stage at 7:00 p.m. ET, followed by Grizzlies vs Thunder at 9:30 p.m. ET.
Our staff of basketball betting experts dug into the latest odds and identified NBA picks for five of tonight's matchups.
Continue below for our NBA picks, odds, props, and predictions for Monday, December 22.
NBA Picks, Odds, Props, Predictions: Monday, December 22
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 7 p.m. | |
  | 7:30 p.m. | |
  | 10 p.m. | |
  | 8 p.m. | |
  | 10 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. | ||
Hornets vs. Cavaliers
By Joe Dellera
The Hornets are set for a rematch against the Cavaliers on Monday night after taking last Sunday’s game in overtime.
One player that continues to smash is rookie, Kon Kneuppel.
Kon scored 29 points in this last matchup and is now averaging 19.4 points per game on the season.
The Hornets have listed Collin Sexton as doubtful for this game, and without him, Kon sees his scoring jump up to 24.9 points per game — while clearing this line in six of those seven games.
The Cavaliers struggle against spot-up three-point shooters, and this is an advantageous matchup given Kon’s non-stop movement and positional advantage against the Cavs' relatively undersized backcourt.
Pick: Kon Kneuppel Over 18.5 Points (-112)
| | | | |
Pacers vs. Celtics
By Bet Labs
This NBA system targets moneyline opportunities where public momentum heavily favors a team on a winning streak, creating inflated lines and value on the other side.
When a home favorite enters a game after multiple consecutive wins, especially after previously being an underdog, market confidence tends to spike beyond true performance expectations.
This setup creates an ideal fade spot for disciplined bettors, as regression and complacency often set in for teams riding short-term success.
Visiting opponents in these scenarios, like the Pacers, are typically undervalued due to recent losses or lower perceived quality but face opponents due for a letdown.
By backing road teams in these overpriced matchups, the system captures situations where market overreaction to hot streaks creates favorable odds and consistent long-term profit potential.
Pick: Pacers Moneyline (+400)
| | | | |
Magic vs. Warriors
Wendell Carter Jr. feasted in the last game between these two teams, so we’re going back to him again here.
He’s really helped stabilize the Magic frontcourt amid their injuries with his two-way play, and has been one of the unsung heroes of Orlando’s turnaround from their perilous 1-4 start to a 15-8 record since.
Carter Jr. has cleared 20.5 points + rebounds in three of his last four games and posted 17 points and 12 rebounds — one of his four double-doubles this season — when Orlando beat Golden State at home back in mid-November.
Pick: Wendell Carter Jr. Over 20.5 Points + Rebounds (-115)
| | | | |
Mavericks vs. Pelicans
By Bet Labs
This NBA system identifies regular season matchups where efficient but undervalued teams face opponents with poor defensive metrics.
When a team’s underlying performance indicators, such as Pythagorean strength, exceed public perception, the betting market often undervalues them against weak defensive opponents who allow high scoring efficiency.
These games typically feature modest moneylines that signal balance but overlook the defensive mismatch.
Slight movement toward the undervalued side reinforces that bettors are slowly recognizing the edge, yet the market remains mispriced.
Over recent seasons, this pattern has rewarded teams whose true performance levels are masked by variance while exploiting opponents that consistently fail to contain efficient offenses, creating a steady opportunity on the moneyline.
Pick: Pelicans Moneyline (-115)
| | | | |
Pistons vs. Trail Blazers
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 234.5 (-110)
| | | | |
