Filip Tomic
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There is no shortage of action in the NBA today as 16 teams hit the hardwood on Thursday night. I’ve cashed 2 NBA mega parlays in the last 7 days, and I’m looking to keep the momentum going as we get closer to Christmas. Tonight’s bet includes 2 teams on the money line and one team to cover the spread. For predictions on the side and total for tonight’s games you can read our NBA picks, but for now, let’s get into today’s NBA mega parlay.
Pelicans ML (+100)
Clippers ML (+148)
Grizzlies -5 (-110)
NBA parlay odds: +846
New Orleans Pelicans ML over Cleveland Cavaliers (+100)
To start off this NBA mega parlay, I have the Pelicans bouncing back following their disappointing home loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. They led by as many as 24 points in that game, but some questionable decisions down the stretch resulted in a 2-point defeat. Zion Williamson also got into foul trouble which contributed to the loss, and I’m looking at him to have a good game here as Cleveland will be without Evan Mobley down low.
Mobley isn’t the only absence for the Cavs here as both Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell could be out. Cleveland will also be playing their 2nd game in 2 nights, and in this scenario so far this season they’re 2-3 SU. The Pels are 7-3 SU in the last 10 head-to-head and have covered the spread in 12 of 18 games. They have the rest advantage here and are by far the healthier team compared to the Cavs. Sure, Cleveland is tough to beat at home (6-1 SU in their last 7 games), but without their 3 best players they could be in trouble.
Read our full New Orleans Pelicans vs Cleveland Cavaliers predictions
Los Angeles Clippers ML over Oklahoma City Thunder (+148)
Another team that’s playing the 2nd night of a back-to-back is the LA Clippers. But unlike the Cavs, Ty Lue’s squad is pretty much at full strength here. They are also the hottest team in the NBA with 9 wins on the bounce following last night’s 120-111 triumph at Dallas. Kawhi Leonard has been incredible during the win streak, averaging close to 30 points per game on over 61% efficiency from the field. James Harden is also showing signs of returning to his old self, dominating with almost 20 points and 10 assists per game.
Oklahoma City has been solid too lately, winning 4 of their last 5 and 8 of 9 at home, but they still have one big flaw that could cost them further down the line in the NBA season, and that’s their three-point shooting. Over their last 3 games, the Thunder are averaging just 9.7 made threes per game, which could be problematic against a Clippers that is 6th in the NBA in opponent three-point percentage. They are holding teams to just 33.3% of made threes in their last 3 games, and if that carries over to tonight’s game, there’s a high chance the Clippers’ win streak reaches double digits here. LA has covered in 5 straight, won 6 of 7 on the road and is 5-1 ATS in the last 6 games against West Coast opponents. Take Kawhi and company to get the win at plus-money odds.
Memphis Grizzlies -5 over Indiana Pacers (-110)
Ja Morant is finally back and the Grizzlies are looking to make a surge here. At just 7-19 SU on the season, they’ve fallen behind and find themselves in 13th place in the Western Conference. That means they’ll have to put together a dominant run over the next few months to even reach the play-in tournament. Optimism is back following the win at New Orleans in Morant’s season debut, as he finished with 34 points and the game-winning shot. I like Memphis to cover tonight against a reeling Indiana Pacers team.
Since they reached the IST final, the Pacers have just 2 wins in 6 games, which came against Detroit and Charlotte. In those 4 losses, they’ve allowed 140, 137, 127 and 151 points, so Memphis should have a field day scoring the basketball here. Indy will also be playing on the 2nd night of a back-to-back. Head-to-head meetings have been dominated by the Grizzlies – they are currently on a 4-game win streak, winning by an average margin of 23.2 points per game. FedEx Forum should be going crazy as Morant makes his home-season debut, so I expect the energy to carry Memphis to a convincing win here.
