NBA tips: Bucks blast Wizards while buzzing Hornets to sting Brooklyn

Charlotte Hornets @ Brooklyn Nets

• Tuesday, December 27
• Tipoff: 00:30 GMT
• Barclays Center, Brooklyn

Hornets to sting Brooklyn

Charlotte take a five-game winning stretch over the Nets into tonight’s clash, and are unbeaten in their last four trips to Brooklyn.

Kenny Atkinson’s outfit are tied with Philadelphia 76ers for the worst record in the league and, with Hornets 14-5 against teams with losing records this term, look set to suffer yet another defeat.

As eight of Charlotte’s wins have come after losing by double digits, look to back Brooklyn to be winning heading into the third quarter, but Hornets to rally and claim a road win at 11/2.

Steve Clifford’s North Carolina based club nearly notched their ninth win after being down by double digits this weekend against Chicago Bulls. Hornets trailed by eight in the second quarter, but Frenchman Nicolas Batum scored seven in 1:38 minutes and the side never trailed again.

Dallas Mavericks @ New Orleans Pelicans

• Tuesday, December 27
• Tipoff: 01:00 GMT
• Smoothie King Center, New Orleans

Mavericks to clip Pelicans’ wings

Mavericks have dominated the Pelicans in recent years, winning seven of their last 10 meetings.

Last time out, Dallas emerged victorious with Harrison Barnes and Wesley Matthews combing for 44 points, while Andrew Bogut grabbed 14 boards. The fact that superstar Anthony Davis scored 36 that night and lost, tells you New Orleans have a lot of development to do.

Mavericks will be boosted by the return of 38-year-old German Dirk Nowitzki, who played just 15 minutes last game.

The combination of dunking Deutschman Nowitzki and Barnes should be enough to see them past the Pelicans and cover their -6.5 handicap at 7/2.

Phoenix Suns @ Houston Rockets

• Tuesday, December 27
• Tipoff: 01:00 GMT
• Toyota Center, Houston

Harden to light up Suns

Houston’s recent win over Phoenix was a trademark Rockets performance. Phoenix didn’t roll over, but were subjected to an overwhelming barrage of three-pointers, 18 of 38 of which were made in a 125-111 road triumph.

Despite the loss of Swiss starting center Clint Capela, the Texan team’s ability to lock in from beyond the arc remains their great equaliser in times of trouble.

The Suns remain poor in defence. The Arizona outfit rank 26th in defensive rating, allowing 110.9 points per 100 possessions, and allow the second most points per game in the division.

Combine this with Mike D’Antoni’s star James Harden, averaging 27.4 points a game, and the side should come into their matchup with Phoenix with confidence. As a result, back Rockets to win by 17-20 points at 11/2 tonight.

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