Best NBA Bets Today | NBA Picks December 12

The NBA's Monday schedule kicks off the week with seven exciting matchups for fans and bettors!

Starting off the night is an exciting Eastern Conference matchup between the Miami Heat and Indiana Pacers. In the West, both the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Portland Trail Blazers look to climb the conference table. And in a star-studded matchup, the Boston Celtics and the LA Clippers close out the night.

Let's check out the bets!

Miami Heat @ Indiana Pacers

When: 7:00 PM EST

Moneyline: Indiana Pacers (+115)@ WynnBet

The Miami Heat enter this game sitting 10th in the Eastern Conference with a 5-5 record over their last 10 games. The Indiana Pacers on the other hand are sitting sixth in the Eastern Conference, owning a 4-6 record over their last 10 games. Having met once already this season, the regular season series is 1-0 in favor of the Pacers.

The Indiana Pacers are a team that swear by their scoring offense, averaging 115.9 points per game (6th in the NBA) while converting on 14.9 three-point field goals per game (4th in the NBA). Opposite to the Pacers the Heat are a team that rely on their scoring defense, allowing just 110.3 points per game (8th in the NBA) and limiting teams to just 27.3 two-point field goals (3rd in the NBA). This will truly be an offense-defense matchup.

Both the Indiana Pacers and the Miami Heat enter this game off the back of a loss. It was a narrow victory for the Pacers last time these teams met, with victory decided by just two points. With the scoring potential of the Indiana Pacers and Miami's willingness to give up three-point looks, expect Indiana to find victory.

Minnesota Timberwolves @ Portland Trail Blazers

When: 8:30 PM EST

Moneyline: Portland Trail Blazers (+164) @ FanDuel Sportsbook

After an unfortunate injury to Karl-Anthony Towns, the Minnesota Timberwolves find themselves 11th in the Western Conference and with a 5-5 record over their last 10 games. The Portland Trail Blazers are sixth in the Western Conference but have struggled, having lost six of their last 10 games. In these teams' earlier meeting this season, the Trail Blazers found victory over the Timberwolves 118-124.

The Minnesota Timberwolves are a free-flowing offensive team through the gameplan of head coach Chris Finch, averaging 115.4 points per game (9th in the NBA) on 48.6% shooting from the field (5th in the NBA). Contrary to previous seasons the Portland Trail Blazers swear by their defense, they allow just 111.6 points per game (11th in the NBA) while also limiting teams to just 41.7 rebounds per game (5th in the NBA). Opposite in terms of their offensive approach, this will be an interesting matchup of styles.

Portland continue to struggle with injuries to their role players, while the Timberwolves have lost star man Karl-Anthony Towns to an injury of his own. Both teams shot the lights out in their last meeting, but expect Portland to once again find victory through their excellent perimeter play.

Boston Celtics @ LA Clippers

When: 10:30 PM EST

Spread: Boston Celtics (-165) @ DraftKings Sportsbook

The Boston Celtics are currently the league's most successful team, sitting first in the Eastern Conference with a 21-6 record and eight wins over their last 10 games. After surviving a disappointing run with injuries, the LA Clippers are now seventh in the Western Conference with a 4-6 record over their last 10 games.

Owning the league's most dangerous offense, the Boston Celtics score 120.3 points per game (1st in the NBA), while also converting on 16.4 three-pointers (1st in the NBA) on 39.7% efficiency (1st in the NBA). The LA Clippers on the other hand are a dangerous defensive team, allowing just 109.2 points per game (4th in the NBA) while holding teams to just 45.4% shooting from the field (4th in the NBA).

Very few have been able to stop the Boston Celtics' high-powered offense, but the LA Clippers are certainly the type of team who have the ability. However still with key injuries, the Clippers aren't likely to be able to keep up with Boston's scoring pace, despite how they might limit them.