Every night of the 2025-26 NBA season gives us a fresh set of games and numbers to pick apart. This daily column digs into the best sides and totals on the board, using in-depth basketball analysis, betting trends, and our VSiN NBA betting splits to spot value. We’ll also be tackling these slates relentlessly on our live VSiN programming, which is why basketball fans should really consider a VSiN Pro subscription. Below you’ll find some NBA picks and predictions for December 31.
MORE: Check out the VSiN Pro Picks page for more bets from our talented hosts and analysts!
NBA Best Bets Today – Wednesday, December 31
Hornets +7.5 (-118 – 1.5 units) & Hornets ML (+230 – 0.5 units) vs. Warriors
Warriors at Hornets – 1:00 pm ET
The Warriors are playing their third game in four days, making for a tough rest spot as they take on the Hornets. This game is also going to tip extremely early, which could be difficult for a California-based team to deal with. The Hornets are also playing some decent basketball lately. They actually have a net rating of +2.2 over the last 10 games.
Charlotte is also 9-7 against the spread when playing at home this season, while Golden State is just 8-11 ATS when playing on the road. The Hornets are also 25-22-3 ATS as home underdogs under Charles Lee, and they’re 12-6-1 ATS when facing teams with winning percentages of 51% to 60% with him on the sidelines.
I also think the Hornets could be in decent shape defensively against this Warriors team. Of course, Stephen Curry could go off here. Charlotte really doesn’t have anybody that can cover him. However, the Hornets might be able to keep the other Golden State rotation pieces from helping him. This Hornets team doesn’t foul very often, which could neutralize Jimmy Butler. They also prevent second-chance opportunities, and they do a good job of preventing opponents from getting corner 3s up. That should give Charlotte a chance to win. The team just needs to make some shots, which hasn’t been a problem when LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, and Kon Knueppel have shared the floor with one another.
Additional Best Bets (Parlays, Teasers, Futures)
PARLAY: Pacers Alt +10.5 vs. Magic & Raptors ML vs. Nuggets (-123 – 1.5 units)
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2025-26 NBA Record: 218-199 (+15.17 units)
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