Best NBA Bets Today | NBA Picks December 20

The NBA are putting on a more subdued Tuesday night schedule, with only five matchups across the league!

Opening the night will be the Detroit Pistons hosting the Utah Jazz. In an all-Eastern Conference matchup, the Chicago Bulls face the Miami Heat. And Washington Wizards take on one of the West's best in the Phoenix Suns.

Let's check out the bets!

Utah Jazz @ Detroit Pistons

When: 7:00 PM EST

Spread: Utah Jazz -3.5 (-110) @ DraftKings

Both the Utah Jazz and the Detroit Pistons are looking to cut off their losing streak when they face off. The Utah Jazz enter this game on a two-game losing streak, as they enter the last game of their three-game road trip. The Pistons are in the opposite situation, owning back-to-back losses and entering the last match of a three-game home stand.

The Detroit Pistons aren't one of the most talented teams in the NBA, but they play rather responsibly and with great focus when attacking the defence. They average 14.3 turnovers per game (11th in the NBA) and get to the free throw line 26.6 times per game - but those are about the only places they're above average. The Jazz will pit their 117.2 points per game (5th in the NBA) offence and 36.9% three-point shooting efficiency (8th in the NBA) up against the Pistons. While they've fallen down the conference table, the Jazz are still a very strong team.

Detroit's home-court advantage will be something to consider, but the Jazz seem to outclass the Pistons in too many different areas. With a below-average shooting team, expect Utah to have too much offence for the Pistons to keep up with.

Chicago Bulls @ Miami Heat

When: 7:30 PM EST

Spread: Miami Heat -5.0 (-110) @ bet365

The Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat are two teams on opposite trends. The Miami Heat are now seventh in the Eastern Conference, and on a four-game winning streak. The Chicago Bulls on the other hand have lost their last four games, while also falling to 11th in the Eastern Conference.

Chicago's struggles are born from their incredibly porous defence, losing by an average margin of 14.0 points over their last four games. Over that losing run, the Bulls have allowed their opponents to shoot 50.5% from the field and 44.4% from three-point range. The Miami Heat on the other hand have found success through their consistent defensive standards. Over the course of their four-game win streak, they've allowed opponents to shoot just 44.0% from the field and 31.7% from three-point range.

The Bulls still have a decent enough roster of talent to give the Heat trouble, but Miami's pedestrian offence should look better against Chicago's poor defence. Don't expect a high-scoring affair, but Miami's quality should earn them the win.

Washington Wizards @ Phoenix Suns

When: 9:00 PM EST

Spread: Phoenix Suns -7.5 (-107) @ PointsBet

Both the Washington Wizards and Phoenix Suns are on a down run of form, but this matchup suggests a particularly one-sided affair. The Phoenix Suns have been missing a few key players as of late, but are more recently on a two-game winning streak. The Washington Wizards, on the other hand, are on a dreadful 10-game losing streak and have fallen to 12th in the Eastern Conference.

The Wizards' recent 10-game losing streak has seen them struggle to contain their opponents, allowing them to shoot 49.2% from the field and 39.4% from three-point range - all while Washington commit 14.0 turnovers per game. Through the Suns' recent two games, they've had to grind for victory. They've struggled to convert from three, just 32.9% over their last two, but they've gotten by through their oppressive defense that's forced 16.0 turnovers per game.

With Bradley Beal back in the lineup, don't be surprised to see the Washington Wizards perform better than usual in their recent 10-game run. However, Phoenix's defense, plus an offensively renewed Devin Booker, should be more than enough to close out the Wizards.