NBA 12/30

Kyle Kirms
Dec 30, 2025
2 min read

76ERS @ GRIZZLIES - 8:10 PM

Embiid questionable. You all know about the Sixers. 0-4.

So right off the bat... Philadelphia's defense has been strong on the interior and we know that's what Memphis likes to do. Most of their offense originates with a drive to the basket.

I know you look at this graphic and it's like "oh shit the Sixers are getting cooked in the paint".

But the numbers are dramatically skewed. OKC cooked Philly for 72 points in the paint.

We've seen extreme outcomes here.

Sixers offense has been awful the last few games... and Memphis has been a solid defensive team all year. SOS difference.

Lookahead? But they have two full days off.

I'd probably make Philly a short favorite... so at the current number, it's a slight lean towards the Sixers. I also think the total's a bit high but you can't take an under in a Memphis game right now.

CELTICS @ JAZZ - 9:10 PM

Well we know Boston's gonna score points. SOS difference.

Even in the two games they just won, the defense hasn't been good.

What does Utah specifically struggle with? 3PT shooting. You know they're gonna do the exact same thing Portland did... blitz Jaylen Brown and force other Celtics to beat you. White, Pritchard, Hauser, Simons and Gonzalez were a combined 9/34 from 3PT.

But when Markannan and George are on the floor at the same time, the Jazz offense is not easy to deal with. Although I have a feeling Derrick White plays well in this one. He was just 5/16 from the floor and turned the ball over twice in the last minute in the loss to Portland. If Derrick White can handle Keyonte George defensively, I think Boston should be in good position to throw a lot of attention on Markannen.

I don't wanna lay 7.5 to the Jazz if they're getting hot... but I think Boston gets back on track.

PISTONS @ LAKERS - 10:40 PM

Pistons SOS is a bit concerning.

Detroit needs this west coast road trip to end.

Lakers offense looked terribly on Christmas day... but they bounced back with a dominant game against the Kings. JJ Redick is also tinkering with the rotation. It seems like he's actually taking Luka Doncic out earlier to stagger the minutes.

How good do we think the Lakers are right now with the injuries. They're shorthanded... the Pistons are young and deep. The Pistons pace has slowed recently.