The final set of NBA fixtures and best bets for 2021 land on Friday as we prepare for three massive games.
It all begins with the Magic taking on the Bucks, while the Warriors are in action again.
Milwaukee @ Orlando
december 31st 11:00am
Orlando Magic will try to cause an upset when it meets the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday morning at the Amway Center.
In what marks the second of back-to-back fixtures between the teams, the Bucks carry a big 127-110 win over the Magic on Wednesday into this clash.
It was a massive first half that sealed the deal for the Bucks after setting up a 27-point lead at the main break as Giannis Antetokounmpo shared the load with his team mates in the win.
The Magic will want to get off a to much faster start than they did in that match if they are any chance of reversing the result.
A major issue for Orlando, however, is its horrendous 3-11 losing record against the spread when starting as the underdog at home.
With the Bucks slowly regaining a fully fit squad, it spells trouble for the Magic.
An upset is highly unlikely here and the Bucks should be able to repeat a similar result to Wednesday.
Suggested Bet: Milwaukee Bucks -12.5 at $1.91
philadelphia @ brooklyn
december 31st 11:00am
The big names are in action when the Brooklyn Nets greet the Philadelphia 76ers at the Barclays Center.
With the mood around the Nets camp likely to be boosted by the return of Kyrie Irving to training, it will only add more of a spring in the step to an already high-flying squad which sits first in the East.
The 76ers are still playing catch up in sixth after an inconsistent start to the season, but have steadied with the form of Joel Embiid to tally up a 19-17 winning record for the season.
There might be a chance for the 76ers to pinch this game off the Nets if we look at the against-the-spread numbers.
Brooklyn has been particularly poor at covering the spread when starting as favourite on its home court having only covered the spread on three out of 14 occasions.
That being said, the Nets did defeat the 76ers earlier this month, but had the advantage of an extra rotation off the bench and getting the 76ers off no rest.
Suggested Bet: Philadelphia 76ers +3.5 at $1.93
cleveland @ washington
december 31st 11:00am
Capital One Arena is where we are situated when the Washington Wizards (17-17) host the Cleveland Cavaliers (20-14).
With both teams coming off defeat in their most recent fixtures, it the Cavaliers who will be the most disappointed of the two after coughing up a loss to the lowly-ranked New Orleans Pelicans.
The Cavaliers have looked surprisingly strong this year, but without Darius Garland, the creativity and nous in offence was well and truly lost against the Pelicans.
Being without Garland for this clash is going to prove difficult again, but the Wizards also have their own problems with their scoring maestro Bradley Beal set to miss games until halfway through January.
Cleveland does have a very strong 10-3 against the spread as an underdog on the road this season and that is enough for us to side with them here.
Suggested Bet: Cleveland +2.5 at 1.94
