Bet On NBA – Take Rolling Thunder, Hot Miami and Lock Down Lakers

NBA betting fans should think about backing the Oklahoma City Thunder, Miami Heat and Los Angeles Lakers on Friday, Dec. 17th.

The Thunder takes on the Sacramento Kings while the Lakers battle Philadelphia and Maimi takes on New York and one of the hottest players in the NBA, Amare Stoudemire.

Let’s take a look at the NBA action going on Friday night, Dec. 17th!

Dec. 17th – NBA Games

Miami Heat (19-8) at New York Knicks (16-10)

Where:  Madison Square Garden, New York, New York
When:  7:00 pm EST

NBA Odds:  Miami -5

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Analysis:  The Miami Heat has been amazingly awesome lately.  Yes, they failed to cover versus the basketball betting sportsbook in their last game, a 101 to 95 victory over Cleveland as -16 ½ point favorites, but that was their first non-cover in 8 straight games.  Miami is 5 and 0 ATS in their last 5 games as a fave of up to 10 ½ points.  They’re 4 and 0 ATS versus New York in the last 4 meetings.  The Knicks are a very good cover team themselves, 6 and 1 ATS in their last 7 games playing on 1 day of rest, but they’re allowing 107 points per game on average while only outscoring their opponents by 1.8 points, 108.8 to 107, per contest.  Miami’s D should account for the 5-point spread as the Heat is outscoring their opponents by 9.7 points, 100.8 to 91.1, on average.  Amare Stoudemire has been on fire for New York, he had 39 points and 10 boards in the Knicks’ last, but he alone can’t take down the Heat.  I like Miami to get enough stops to beat the Knicks by double-digits on Friday night. 

Los Angeles Lakers (19-7) at Philadelphia 76’ers (10-15)

Where:  Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
When:  7:00 pm EST

NBA Odds:  Lakers -5 ½   

Analysis:  Laker GM Mitch Kupchack just never rests.  Seeing that he needed more frontcourt help for the champs, Mitch went out and acquired Joe Smith for Sasha Vujacic.  Smith is questionable for this game, but Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol should help the Lakers cover yet another sports betting spread in this.  L.A. has been downright awesome in their last two road games when dominating Washington 103 to 89 and then blitzing Indiana 109 to 94.  Philly is 12-3-1 ATS in their last 16 games following an ATS victory, but with L.A.’s front line now healthy, I just don’t see how Philly keeps up.  Kobe has rediscovered his shooting touch.  He put up 31 and dished 6 assists in the victory over Indiana.  

Sacramento Kings (5-18) at Oklahoma City Thunder (18-8)

Where:  Ford City, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
When:  9:30 pm EST

NBA Odds:  Oklahoma City -11 ½ 

Analysis:  The Thunder has won 4 games both straight up and against the NBA odds spread in the sportsbook.  Oklahoma City should have no trouble destroying a Sacramento team that’s a league worst 7 and 16 against the spread.  Sacramento comes into this off of a cover in a game versus New Orleans.  I seriously doubt they cover in 2 straight and Oklahoma City is close to a dominant team with the inside/outside game of Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook.  The Thunder should roll right over the Kings and put this one in the bag before the 4th quarter starts.  

Bet on NBA Friday games in the sportsbook!

Sources:  espn.com, covers.com