Every night of the 2025-26 NBA season gives us a fresh set of games and numbers to pick apart. This daily column digs into the best sides and totals on the board, using in-depth basketball analysis, betting trends, and our VSiN NBA betting splits to spot value. We’ll also be tackling these slates relentlessly on our live VSiN programming, which is why basketball fans should really consider a VSiN Pro subscription. Below you’ll find some NBA picks and predictions for December 26.

MORE: Check out the VSiN Pro Picks page for more bets from our talented hosts and analysts!

 

NBA Best Bets Today – Friday, December 26

Heat vs. Hawks Over 248 (-112)

Heat at Hawks – 7:00 pm ET

The Hawks have played seven games in their last 12 in which a combined score of 249 has been reached. So, while this number might seem outrageously high, it’s something Atlanta has been hitting rather often. Also, three of the last four games the Hawks have played have featured at least 249 points, and those were the three games that Trae Young played since returning from his injury. This Atlanta team just plays at a very fast pace, with the team actually leading the league in tempo (104.56) over the last 12 games. The Hawks also don’t seem to care about getting stops, even though they do have some defensive-minded players in the rotation.

Tonight, it’s just hard to imagine this being anything but an up-and-down game. While the Hawks are first in the NBA in pace over the last 12 games, the Heat are first (104.34) when looking at the whole season. Miami wants to play fast just as badly as Atlanta does. So, with neither of these teams looking to slow things down and execute in a half-court setting, I think the Over is the right call. I feel good about the possessions and shots being up, so we’ll just need some of them to go down.

Jazz +10 (-110) vs. Pistons

Pistons at Jazz – 9:30 pm ET

While the Pistons have a net rating of +6.9 on the year, that number is down at +4.5 on the road. Meanwhile, the Jazz have a net rating of -7.3 this season, but it goes up to -3.1 when playing in Utah. This is just a Detroit team that isn’t as good away from home, which is normal for any team. However, this game feels like it’s being priced as if it was happening on a neutral floor, and I do think the Jazz can put up a fight here.

Utah is actually 72-45 against the spread when playing as an underdog of 3.5 to 9.5 points under Will Hardy. The team is also 56-38 ATS as a home underdog with him on the sidelines. Meanwhile, the Pistons are just 2-3 ATS when playing a third road game in five days under JB Bickerstaff. That said, Utah could be fired up for this game, while Detroit might be dying to get back home — especially with this being holiday season.

It also looks like the Jazz will have Lauri Markkanen tonight, as he’s not listed on the injury report. And honestly, as long as he stays off that injury report, I might end up adding to this play at anything +8 or higher later on. I think Keyonte George and Markkanen will be able to create against this strong Detroit defense, and I’m not sure Utah’s defense will look all that awful here. The Pistons are a great team, but offense is their shakier end of the floor.

Additional Best Bets (Parlays, Teasers, Futures)

PARLAY: Grizzlies ML vs. Bucks & Suns ML vs. Pelicans (+123)

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2025-26 NBA Record: 209-189 (+16.35 units)

Check out today’s episode of Hardwood Handicappers! I dove into all of this (and more) on the podcast!