(3 Unit Play Under) The Los Angeles Lakers and Denver Nuggets have had a bunch of high profile showdowns in recent seasons. These teams have been inconsistent this year, but both do have a high upside.

The Lakers defense has stepped up in their last three games. They have allowed only 101, 104, and 101 points in their last three contests. 

The Nuggets held the Celtics to 84 points and the Thunder to 107 points in regulation in recent games. 

A big game for both teams with a playoff feel.

We're on the under. 

(3 Unit Play Under) The Denver Nuggets defense has impressed in recent weeks. Denver held the Boston Celtics to 84 points a couple games ago. They then held Oklahoma City to 107 in regulation in their last game. 

Minnesota is capable of breaking out with a big number on offense, but this is a solid Minnesota defense as well.

The two offenses are very good, but this is an extremely high number. The late in the regular season NBA games between top notch teams are spots where we like to look for unders.

Back the under. 

(3 Unit Play on Spurs) The San Antonio Spurs are on a back to back, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing. They are 7-3 ATS on no rest this season. This is a really deep team that is playing some great basketball right now. This is the Spurs last game before the All Star Break. I expect a max effort out of them to go into the break on a high note.

The Warriors are so shorthanded right now. They have played hard and hung around against decent teams, but the Spurs are playing like a top two or three team in the NBA right now. I don't think the Warriors have what it takes to stick around with the Spurs.

Typically going into the break, the best teams in the NBA go all out and take care of business. 

We're on San Antonio.

(3 Unit Play on Miami Heat) The Phoenix Suns will be without Devin Booker here. They fell apart late in the game against Atlanta when he was hurt toward the end of the third quarter. They clearly are a much different and weaker team without their go to guy. Booker is a better defender than most realize too.

Phoenix is coming home here after a long road trip, and this is a tough situational spot for them. The Suns return home in what has long term been a good fade spot. Add in that they are without their top player. 

The Heat are playing a back to back, but they are 6-3 ATS in the second game of back to back situations so far this season.

We're on the underdog (Miami) here. 

(3 Unit Play on Pacers) A rematch of the NBA Finals from last season. The Oklahoma City Thunder are having a spectacular season, while the Indiana Pacers are having a season to forget. The Pacers have been impacted significantly by injuries, but they also have played bad basketball.

Oklahoma City is in a tough spot here. The Thunder are in their first game back home after a four game road trip. Teams have done poorly ATS overall in the NBA in this spot. 

I also believe that the Pacers are likely to care more in this spot than the average spot. This is the team they lost a hard fought series to at the end of last year. Their effort should be higher in this game than an average one.

Grab the points on the underdog. 

(3 Unit Play Under) The Rockets are 22nd in the NBA in offensive efficiency in their last five games. Houston is 28th out of 30 teams in the NBA in tempo. The Rockets have been having relatively low scoring games of late.

The Spurs have one of the best defenses in the NBA. The Spurs have been playing some very high scoring teams of late and I believe that has inflated this total.

This is a rivalry game and it means a lot to both teams. Look for the defenses to be engaged here.

On the under. 

(3 Unit Play Under) Oklahoma City will be without Jalen Williams here and I expect that to disrupt the offense a bit. The Thunder have the top defense in the NBA for the season, and I look for a strong defensive effort from them here.

Cleveland has been good on offense of late, but Tyson has been shooting out of this world good. He is likely to come down to earth a bit especially against a great defensive team. 

An early game here in what is a bit of a weird spot for both teams. This is an ultra high total.

We'll side with the under. 

(3 Unit Play on Utah) NBA players usually have some pride after an absolute embarrassment of a performance. Utah was beaten 150-95 at home by the Hornets last game. Lauri Markannen didn't play in that game, and he is expected to play here. 

Utah had actually been playing pretty well before last game. Cleveland has been burning money all season long. The Cavs are 10-23 ATS as a favorite this season.

Utah is 14-10 ATS after a loss this season. 

Take the Jazz.

(3 Unit Play Under) A really fun clash here between two of the most talented teams in the league. These top players are going to be squaring off against each other for a long time to come. With Wembenyama, the Spurs defense is probably the second best defense in the NBA. The Thunder still have the top defensive unit. 

These teams should both care about a middle of the day Christmas showdown here. I expect the defensive intensity to be high for this one. 

A high total and I like this to stay under. 

(3 Unit Play on Heat) The Miami Heat have lost five games in a row. They need a pick me up in a big way right now. The Brooklyn Nets are a good team to be up against to try to get things turned around. Brooklyn is 7-18 on the year, and they are just 3-10 at home. 

Miami is the much more talented team, and I highly respect the Miami coaching staff. They had a couple days off to get ready for this, and I think we see a much better effort from them here.

Take Miami and lay the points.