The first week of December rolls on with action in the NBA, NHL and college hoops. Here are tonight’s best bets brought to you by BetOnline.ag. Click here to join. All new players get a 50% welcome bonus and up to $250 in free bets.
First Pick: Hawks -2.5
Rundown: The Los Angeles Clippers (5-16) aim to snap a five-game losing streak as they visit the Atlanta Hawks (13-9) at State Farm Arena. In a stunning late-night move, Los Angeles announced it will part ways with future Hall of Famer Chris Paul, effective immediately. A decision that underscores how brutal this season has been for the Clippers. With losses in eight of their last nine games, Los Angeles is in a full freefall with no end in sight.
Paul’s sudden departure is jarring, but the Clippers’ on-court performance may be even more alarming. Los Angeles is 0-5 against the spread in its last five contests and owns a 5-16 ATS record overall. As an underdog, the Clippers have yet to secure a win in nine opportunities. The timing of Paul’s release is certain to spark questions pregame and could serve as yet another distraction for a team still searching for an identity.
Look for Atlanta to move the ball with effectiveness, generate quality scoring opportunities and hand Los Angeles its sixth straight loss.
Second Pick: Ducks Moneyline
Rundown: The Utah Mammoth (12-12-3) will look to halt an eight-game skid as they head to Southern California for a matchup with the Anaheim Ducks (16-9-1). Anaheim has been formidable at Honda Center this season, winning nine of its 12 home games. Much of that success stems from the Ducks’ high-powered offensive attack, which ranks second in the NHL at 3.62 goals per game.
Anaheim is 15-4 when scoring three or more goals, collecting 30 of its 33 points in those contests. For Anaheim, this is an encouraging trend given Utah’s middling defensive mark, ranking 18th in goals allowed at 3.07 per game. The Mammoth’s struggles extend to special teams as well, where their 13.16% power-play conversion rate is the worst in the league.
Anaheim’s offensive firepower paired with Utah’s ineffective power play shapes a favorable outlook for the Ducks on Wednesday.
Third Pick: Over 142.5 Points
Rundown: The UCLA Bruins are set to tip off with the Washington Huskies in a battle of 5-2 teams from the Alaska Airlines Arena. Both teams enter well-rested, with Washington coming off a four-day break and UCLA having last played eight days ago in a loss to the California Bears.
The Bruins and Huskies combine to average 159.6 points per game, 17.1 points above today’s projected total. All seven of Washington’s games have topped 142.5 points, while UCLA has seen three of its contests clear that mark. The Bruins’ 14th-ranked defense will challenge Wesley Yates III (16.9 PPG) and a Washington offense looking to rebound.
Trent Perry and Eric Dailey Jr. each scored 17 points in UCLA’s 80-72 loss to Cal, while Washington guard Quimari Peterson posted 18 points in 38 minutes in Friday’s loss to Colorado. Expect a high-scoring matchup between two teams eager to return to the win column.