Best NBA Betting Picks and Parlay Today - Sunday, December 18, 2022

We've been scorching hot with our NBA best bets recently, so find out what we have on a Sunday filled with basketball action that you won't want to miss. The day starts with the Orlando Magic facing the Boston Celtics early in the afternoon, but it runs all the way up until a fun matchup between the Washington Wizards and Los Angeles Lakers. All in all, we have seven games to watch on December 18, but we have narrowed down the field to just three games we think you should bet on. Keep reading to find out what we have on this slate. 

As always, we've simulated all of the night's NBA games 10,000 times each to determine where the value lies for sports bettors across the United States.

Best NBA Bets Today

Orlando Magic vs. Boston Celtics, 3:00PM ET

On Friday, the Magic went into Boston and earned a 117-109 win as 13.5-point underdogs against this same Celtics team. Orlando has now won five games in a row, with the team also covering in its last six. This Magic team is finally playing some very good basketball, and the return of Markelle Fultz has a lot to do with that. Orlando has been desperate for some good guard play this year and the 24-year-old is averaging 11.0 points, 4.8 assists, 3.6 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game in December. He is also averaging 14.0 points, 6.5 assists, 5.5 rebounds and 3.0 steals per game over his last two games. As long as he continues to play well, the Magic could continue climbing the Eastern Conference standings. 

This matchup happens to be one that is decent for Orlando because the team is loaded with lengthy players. That's one way to combat the elite wing duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, who both have great size for perimeter scorers. Being able to consistently throw plus-sized defenders on those guys doesn't guarantee stops, but it does make life difficult on them. 

Over the last three years, the Magic also happen to be 25-22 against the spread as road underdogs of 6.5 to 12 points. This is just a lot of points to be giving a confident Orlando group. 

BET: Magic +10.5 (-110) with DraftKings ➡️ here ⬅️.

🏀 Magic vs. Celtics Predictions
📈 Betting preview: Magic vs. Celtics

---

New York Knicks vs. Indiana Pacers, 5:00PM ET

Over the last three seasons, the Knicks are 8-0 ATS when playing on the road after a blowout win of 20 or more points. New York has won those games by an average of 7.0 points per game. The Knicks are also 43-20 ATS when playing in games with lines of +3 to -3 in that span, with New York winning those contests by an average of 5.6 points per game. Those trends suggest the Knicks tend to run hot and that they are also trustworthy in games that are supposed to be close. 

Coming into this game, New York has won six in a row both straight-up and ATS. The Knicks are also facing a Pacers team that has cooled down as of late, with the team coming into this one after having gone 3-7 in its last 10. Also, Indiana is a team that likes to win games with its high-flying offense, but New York is suddenly up to eighth in the league in defensive rating. The Knicks have been great on that end of the floor and they aren't going to allow the Pacers to comfortably run their stuff. 

Jalen Brunson has also been incredible for New York this year and it's not likely he'll allow himself to get outplayed by Tyrese Haliburton here. If the Knicks win that matchup at point guard, it's curtains for the Pacers. 

BET: Knicks +1 (-110) with DraftKings ➡️ here ⬅️.

🏀 Knicks vs. Pacers Predictions
📈 Betting preview: Knicks vs. Pacers

---

Charlotte Hornets vs. Denver Nuggets, 8:00PM ET

The Nuggets are a much better team than the Hornets, but this is a lot of points to be giving Charlotte. Denver is actually just 1-5-1 ATS in its last seven games and the team is coming off of a bad loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday. With that in mind, it just shouldn't shock anyone if the Hornets end up keeping this game somewhat close — especially with the team finally getting healthy. 

Over the last two seasons, the Nuggets also happen to be just 22-36 ATS when coming off a road game. Denver has only won those games by an average of 1.1 points per game, so this team generally tends to have trouble adjusting to life at home. And while the Nuggets do have a massive edge at the center position, the Hornets actually have the ability to compete everywhere else. 

BET: Hornets +8.5 (-110) with DraftKings ➡️ here ⬅️.

🏀 Hornets vs. Nuggets Predictions
📈 Betting preview: Hornets vs. Nuggets

Your game not here? Find out who we're betting on for every basketball game on Sunday via our NBA Bet Hub, where we deliver you NBA predictions and suggested bets, or check out the NBA Betting News section.

---

Best NBA Bets Today

There are numerous different ways you can wager on NBA games in 2022, such as the moneyline, spread, total, player and team props, and, of course, parlays. While we normally suggest taking our picks on their own, we recognize the need to service a parlay-loving audience! With that said, check out the fat payout you can get by throwing all of our best bets together tonight. 

🔥 Magic +10.5 
🔥 Knicks +1
🔥 Hornets +8.5 

*All odds and lines correct at time of publishing