The NBA slate for Tuesday, December 30 only features four games. Normally I’d break down a slate like this with two separate articles, but I only have two plays for this evening. So, instead of splitting sides/totals and player props into two pieces, I’m bringing everything under one roof — a streamlined look at my favorite bets for the day’s slate. Keep reading for my NBA picks and predictions for Tuesday.
RELATED: Check out the Pro Picks page for more selections from our talented VSiN hosts and analysts!
NBA Best Bets Today (Sides/Totals)
Lakers ML (+122) vs. Pistons
Pistons at Lakers – 10:30 pm ET
The Pistons are in a brutal spot heading into tonight’s game. This is their fifth game on a five-game road trip, and it’s also their seventh road game in their last eight contests. I know this is a young basketball team, so the thought might be that these players should be able to get over it. However, that type of schedule can be rough on anyone. Also, under JB Bickerstaff, the numbers back that up. Detroit is 2-4 both straight-up and against the spread under Bickerstaff when playing a third road game in five days. The team is also 8-9 SU and 7-10 ATS when playing at least three straight road games overall.
The Pistons have also been struggling, going 2-4 ATS in their last six games — and dropping back-to-back contests. This is also a team that can be a little tough to trust offensively, so Detroit might not be capable of carving up Los Angeles’ leaky defense the way other elite teams can. Meanwhile, for as good as the Pistons are defensively, I have some doubts about how they’ll look with tired legs against Luka Doncic.
Even with Los Angeles playing without Austin Reaves, I think the Lakers will be able to generate good looks here. And I ultimately think Doncic will find a way to get this game across the finish line, which is why I like the moneyline over the spread. Los Angeles is 9-5 under JJ Redic when playing at home in games with lines of +3 to -3.
NBA Player Props Today
Jaren Jackson Jr. Over 26.5 Points + Rebounds (-110) vs. 76ers
76ers at Grizzlies – 8:00 pm ET
Jackson Jr. has had at least 21 points in six of the last seven games, so he’s in a nice rhythm offensively right now. Tonight, he’s going up against a Sixers team that is 25th in the NBA defending at the rim, which is always nice for a solid play-finisher. However, Jackson is also shooting 36% on 4.6 attempted 3s per game this year, so he should be able to do some damage as a shooter. I also like his ability to create offense for himself. He’s good at attacking the basket, and he has a nice floater game.
Jackson should also do some work as a rebounder here. He’s actually not known for his ability to rebound, but he’s playing a lot of center with Zach Edey and Jock Landale injured. He has also been responding, averaging 7.8 rebounds per game on 15.0 rebound chances per game over the last six games. That said, I think he should turn in a big performance against Philadelphia tonight.
2025-26 NBA Record: 222-202 (+15.21 units)
