The PointsBet Hustle™ is a newsletter spotlighting our biggest bets, juiciest boosts and strongest insights to get you ready for the best betting stretch of your life.
Listen up! Joel Embiid is +300 to score the first basket of the NBA's Christmas Day fiesta. (AP Photo)
The NBA quintuple-header is upon us and here is a cheat code for props:
PR = Points + Rebounds
PRA = Pts + Reb + Assists
Now let’s get to it.
76ers (-2) @ Knicks (12 p.m. ET)
SAFE PLAY: Under 215.5 (-110). Six of the last eight meetings between these East Coast foes have saluted The ‘U.’
BIG ‘n’ BOLD: 3-Leg SGP (+600). Julius Randle ⬇️ 33.5 PR (-115), James Harden ⬆️ 36.5 PRA (-115), Joel Embiid ⬆️ 30.5 Pts (-115): Randle hasn’t hit this number in three straight vs. Philly; Harden went off (29-10-16) in his last game at MSG; Embiid is the biggest, baddest man on the hardwood.
Lakers (+7.5) @ Mavericks (2:30 p.m. ET)
SAFE PLAY: Mavs Team Total Over 114.5 (-250). The Lakers minus A.D. in the middle aren’t much better on ‘D’ than the Washington Generals.
BIG ‘n’ BOLD: 3-Leg SGP: (+700). Austin Reaves ⬇️ 10.5 points (-105), Luka Doncic ⬆️ 50.5 PRA (-120), Doncic 40+ Pts (+240). Reaves often struggles against Dallas, and Luka went ballistic against L.A. in the last meeting (31-13-15).
Bucks (+5) @ Celtics (5 p.m. ET)
SAFE PLAY: Brook Lopez 6+ Reb (-135). Lopez has been such a beast 💪 around the boards, he’s the +150 favorite for Defensive Player of the Year.
BIG ‘n’ BOLD: Jayson Tatum to score 40+ points (+400). We love Tatum’s 3-point stroke and the simplicity of this 40/400 offering.
Grizzlies (-6.5) @ Warriors (8 p.m. ET)
SAFE PLAY: Over 231 (-110). Golden State has a bottom-5 defense 🥴 but a propensity to score with or without Steph Curry.
BIG ‘n’ BOLD: Kevon Looney 12+ Rebounds (+375). The Warriors’ unsung hero happily does the dirty work.
Suns (+3) @ Nuggets (10:30 p.m. ET)
SAFE PLAY: Nuggets ML (-160). Denver is so strong at home (11-3), we’ll cast aside concerns over Phoenix rising 🔥 – i.e. Devin Booker’s return from a groin injury.
BIG ‘n’ BOLD: Jamal Murray 25+ Pts (+240) Phoenix has struggled lately against SGs, allowing averages of 25-7-6 over the last seven games.
KEY FACTS: The shrinking line reflects bettors’ optimism that Green Bay’s two-game winning streak is no mirage 🪄. And concern over the Dolphins’ three-game slide, during which the Miami defense has been singed for 29.3 ppg. The Packers need to win out to have any shot at their fourth straight playoff berth.
TRENDING: The Dolphins are 5-1 at home 🏠 and 4-2 ATS. The Pack have covered only three of their last 10 away from Lambeau.
PointsBet is celebrating the holidays with FIVE DAYS OF FREE BETS 🎅🏻, and two remain. Check your account today and tomorrow at 1 p.m. ET. (Good for all states but NY 🗽.)
Free Bet Schedule:
• 12/25 – NFL LIGHTNING BET™
• 12/26 – MNF SGP (Same Game Parlay)
See Promotions page in the PointsBet app or website for full promotional Terms & Conditions.
EXERT PICKS
NBC lead betting analyst Jay Croucher and PointsBet studio host Ryan Leaf went a combined 4-0 💰 on their Thurs/Sat NFL picks, hitting on the Jags, Jags Under, 49ers and Bengals. Here's what they like for the rest of the slate.
THE BRAIN
Broncos ML vs. Rams (-160)
"Russ (Wilson) showed signs of life in his last game, and the Rams will struggle to reach double digits against that 'D.'"
Colts +4.5 vs. Chargers (-110)
"There is minimal dropoff from Matt Ryan to Nick Foles, if any at all."
THE BIG NAME
Packers ML vs. Dolphins (+150)
"While the Dolphins are scrambling, the Pack is back. Green Bay needs this big road road win."
Chargers -4.5 vs. Colts (-110)
"(Justin) Herbert is locked in, and his weapons continue to get healthier. The Chargers are better on the road, especially in a dome."
We salute Bo Nix for returning to Oregon in 2023. (AP Photo)
🏈 [$15] New Mexico State (+135 ML) over Bowling Green (2:30 p.m. ET Mon): The Aggies are hot (5-1 ATS last six) and submitted an NCAA waiver to get the invitation. Yes, they wanted to be in Detroit the day after Christmas!
🏈 [$30] Oklahoma State (+3.5) over Wisconsin (10:15 p.m. Tues): We can’t guarantee the Badgers will flop in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl, but Wisconsin is transitioning to Luke Fickell and DT Keeanu Benton won’t suit up.
🏈 [$25] Over 73 in Oregon-North Carolina (7 p.m. ET Wed): The Tar Heels’ overmatched defense is depleted and Oregon’s Bo Nix wants to put on a show.
🏈 [$30] Under 70 in Texas Tech-Ole Miss (8 p.m. ET Wed): Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin, fresh off signing a $9-million-a-year extension, will pump up a Rebels defense that yielded 31+ points to only three teams (Auburn, LSU, Arkansas).
Patrick Mahomes has been so brilliant for the Chiefs, we decided to go with an early payout 🤑 for NFL MVP. It’s a generous move considering just over one week ago, this is where the odds stood:
Jalen Hurts -145
Patrick Mahomes +170
But Hurts is hurt, and Mahomes performed brilliantly again Saturday, producing three TDs 🏅 against Seattle. So happy holidays, Mahomes bettors!
