We’re edging closer to a new calendar year, and NBA and NHL teams can’t be looking too far into the future, having important mid-season games to play before December turns to January. We’ve reviewed the NBA and NHL schedules and have found our three-game parlay for December 20th.

New York Rangers (+110) over Pittsburgh Penguins

The Pittsburgh Penguins and New York Rangers should be a close and competitive game.

The New York Rangers have won seven straight games, and Igor Shesterkin is playing very well. We like the Rangers as a moneyline underdog. However, the favorite is 5-1, and the home team is 5-1 in the last six head-to-head meetings. Pittsburgh recently had a seven-game winning streak ended and will be looking to bounce back.

While the Rangers are 2-7 in the last nine games in Pittsburgh, a more pertinent stat is that the New York Rangers have a 7-3 record in the last 10. We’re riding with Igor Shesterkin and the Rangers to extend their winning streak to eight and defy some of the betting trends.

Miami Heat -4.5 (-115) over Chicago Bulls

The Miami Heat should defeat the Chicago Bulls on home court on Tuesday night. The Heat is listed at a -4.5 on the points spread. Miami has won on the points spread in two of their last four games, while one game ended in a push. Both teams have similar against-the-spread records: Miami has a 10-19-2 ats record, while Chicago has a 12-16-1 ats record.

Chicago might have won the first matchup between these two teams on October 19th, but the Bulls are 1-4 against the spread in the last five games against the Heat. Chicago might score more and have a higher field goal percentage, but Miami is the better overall team and should win and cover the spread.

Phoenix Suns -6.5 (-115) over Washington Wizards

The Phoenix Suns are the heavy moneyline favorite against the Washington Wizards and are listed at -7 points on the point spread. The Suns have a 17-14 record against the spread, while the Wizards have an 11-17-3 ats record.

Phoenix has won their last three games and covered the spread in all three. Washington is 1-4 against the spread in the last five Suns vs. Wizards games, has lost ten straight games, and has gone 1-4 against the spread in the last five games. Phoenix is ranked seventh in the NBA in points per game, while Washington is ranked 25th.

We’re taking the Suns to cover the 6.5-point spread.

All odds are courtesy of Action247 Sportsbook. Good luck!!

* All odds provided by Action247 Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.
**All views expressed are my own. My picks are my own and are not a guarantee, bet at your own risk.