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Best NBA Bets Today (Friday, Dec. 26)
Paolo Banchero over 24.5 points (-120) vs. Charlotte Hornets
BetMGM, 2:52 PM CT
Alex Barutha: Banchero is coming off a subpar 12/6/3 performance at the end of a four-game road trip against the Trail Blazers but had previously been seeing increased usage. In his four performances prior to that dud, he was averaging 23.8 points on 20.0 field-goal attempts and 10.3 free-throw attempts. The shooting percentage wasn't great, but the volume has been excellent while Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs have been out. I'm hoping Banchero can put everything together at home going up against a struggling 10-20 Hornets team.
Brandon Ingram over 2.5 made threes (+140) at Washington Wizards
FanDuel, 3:18 PM CT
Alex Barutha: The Wizards are allowing opponents to make 16.0 threes per 48 minutes across the past 10 games -- the highest mark in the NBA. Ingram isn't known as a knock-down three-point shooter, but I'm going to ride the hot hand against weak competition. He's made multiple threes in each of the past seven games, averaging 3.4 makes on 52.2% during this stretch.
Kawhi Leonard over 1.5 steals (-185) at Portland Trail Blazers
Hard Rock, 3:13 PM CT
Alex Barutha: Portland remains without a traditional point guard, which has led to them throwing the ball all over the gym. Across the past 10 games, they're allowing a league-high 11.6 steals per game. Leonard is averaging 2.0 steals across his past five games and had two steals against the Blazers when these teams faced off earlier in the season.
