NBA Preview, Odds & Picks for December 12: Bucks Look to Add to Knicks’ Home Struggles in Midday MSG Matchup

The New York Knicks were one of the best stories of last season, as they made the playoffs for the first time since 2013. They were expected to continue rising this season, but through a third of the season, they are under .500 and playing below expectations. Struggles at home are the biggest contributor, as they have won only five times in 13 games at MSG. It’s no surprise then that today’s NBA betting odds don’t look favorably upon their chances to beat the Milwaukee Bucks, who make the trip to the Big Apple in strong form.

The midday matchup at MSG tips off today’s six-game NBA schedule. With a mouthwatering NFL Sunday slate and a lack of appealing action in the NBA, this might be a day to take it easy with the NBA. Still, there is some solid value on today’s card.

Let’s take a look at today’s schedule and the top NBA betting picks for each matchup.

NBA Schedule for Sunday, December 12, 2021

Milwaukee Bucks (17-10) vs New York Knicks (12-14), MSG, 12:00 p.m. ET

Brooklyn Nets (18-8) vs Detroit Pistons (4-21), Bally Sports Detroit, 6:00 p.m. ET

Dallas Mavericks (12-13) vs Oklahoma City Thunder (8-17), Bally Sports Oklahoma, 7:00 p.m. ET

New Orleans Pelicans (8-20) vs San Antonio Spurs (9-16), Bally Sports Southwest, 7:00 p.m. ET

Minnesota Timberwolves (11-15) vs Portland Trail Blazers (11-15), Root Sports Northwest, 9:00 p.m. ET

Orlando Magic (5-22) vs Los Angeles Lakers (14-13), AT&T SportsNet Los Angeles, 9:30 p.m. ET

NBA Betting Odds & Picks for Sunday, December 12, 2021

• Milwaukee Bucks vs New York Knicks
• Brooklyn Nets vs Detroit Pistons
• Dallas Mavericks vs Oklahoma City Thunder
• New Orleans Pelicans vs San Antonio Spurs
• Minnesota Timberwolves vs Portland Trail Blazers
• Orlando Magic vs Los Angeles Lakers

Odds listed below are via BetOnline Sportsbook as of Sunday, December 12, 2021, at 11:40 a.m. ET. To compare NBA betting odds from several top online sportsbooks like BetMGM and MyBookie, check out our NBA odds.

Betting News offers aggregated NBA picks for every NBA matchup every day. Below, we list the top recommended pick(s) for each matchup. In cases where the moneyline is the top pick percentagewise but provides little to no betting value (as a single straight bet), we list the best option among the other options.

NBA Betting Picks: Saturday, December 12, 2021

Betting News aggregates our betting picks from trusted sports betting industry sources. Along with NBA picks for every NBA matchup, we also offer MLB picks, NFL picks, and NHL picks.

Milwaukee Bucks vs New York Knicks Betting Odds & Picks

• Spread: Milwaukee Bucks -6 (-110), New York Knicks +6 (-110)
• Total: OVER 216.5 (-110), UNDER 216.5 (-110)
• Moneyline: Milwaukee Bucks -250, New York Knicks +205

Bucks vs Knicks Top Betting Picks: Knicks +6 (67 percent) & OVER 216.5 (67 percent)

Bucks vs Pistons Matchup: NBA Betting Picks, Odds, Stats & More

Brooklyn Nets vs Detroit Pistons Betting Odds & Picks

• Spread: Brooklyn Nets -7 (-110), Detroit Pistons +7 (-110)
• Total: OVER 211 (-110), UNDER 211 (-110)
• Moneyline: Brooklyn Nets -300, Detroit Pistons +245

Nets vs Pistons Top Betting Picks: Pistons +7 (67 percent) & OVER 211 (67 percent)

Nets vs Pistons Matchup: NBA Betting Picks, Odds, Stats & More

Dallas Mavericks vs Oklahoma City Thunder Betting Odds & Picks

• Spread: Dallas Mavericks -4 (-106), Oklahoma City Thunder +4 (-114)
• Total: OVER 207 (-112), UNDER 207 (-108)
• Moneyline: Dallas Mavericks -166, Oklahoma City Thunder +140

Mavs vs Thunder Top Betting Pick: Mavs -4 (67 percent) & OVER 207.5 (67 percent)

Mavs vs Thunder Matchup: NBA Betting Picks, Odds, Stats & More

New Orleans Pelicans vs San Antonio Spurs Betting Odds & Picks

• Spread: New Orleans Pelicans +2 (-106), San Antonio Spurs -2 (-114)
• Total: OVER 219.5 (-110), UNDER 219.5 (-110)
• Moneyline: New Orleans Pelicans +120, San Antonio Spurs -142

Pelicans vs Spurs Top Betting Pick: Spurs ML (67 percent)

Pelicans vs Spurs Matchup: NBA Betting Picks, Odds, Stats & More

Minnesota Timberwolves vs Portland Trail Blazers Betting Odds & Picks

• Spread: Minnesota Timberwolves +1.5 (-110), Portland Trail Blazers -1.5 (-110)
• Total: OVER 221.5 (-110), UNDER 221.5 (-110)
• Moneyline: Minnesota Timberwolves +102, Portland Trail Blazers -120

Timberwolves vs Blazers Top Betting Pick: Blazers ML (83 percent)

Timberwolves vs Blazers Matchup: NBA Betting Picks, Odds, Stats & More

Orlando Magic vs Los Angeles Lakers Betting Odds & Picks

• Spread: Orlando Magic +10.5 (-110), Los Angeles Lakers -10.5 (-110)
• Total: OVER 220 (-110), UNDER 220 (-110)
• Moneyline: Orlando Magic +420, Los Angeles Lakers -560

Magic vs Lakers Top Betting Pick: UNDER 220.5 (83 percent)

Magic vs Lakers Matchup: NBA Betting Picks, Odds, Stats & More