The 82-game NBA regular season presents us with a myriad of betting opportunities, from point spreads to moneylines and totals. With 1,230 regular-season games in the Association, it can be a daunting task to sift through the odds.
But fear not, as we’ll leverage advanced statistics, including numberFire’s NBA power rankings and daily projections, combined with NBA insights to provide you with a winning edge. So, let’s dive into the NBA betting landscape and explore the best bets for today.
NBA Best Bets
Boston Celtics at Indiana Pacers
Celtics -6 (-106)
The NBA’s In-Season Tournament kicks off the knockout rounds tonight, and our first matchup features the Boston Celtics against the Indiana Pacers. In their previous face-off, Boston cruised to a commanding 155-104 victory.
However, the Pacers might face a challenging night once again, with star guard Tyrese Haliburton’s status uncertain due to a respiratory infection. Haliburton’s impact on the game is undeniable, averaging 27.0 points per game (PPG) and an impressive 11.8 assists per game (APG). His usage rate stands at 27.3%, and he boasts a stellar 125.9 offensive rating.
But that’s not all; Indiana could also be without Jalen Smith (10.0 PPG; 19.9% usage rate) and Obi Toppin (13.1 PPG; 16.9% usage rate), further weakening their roster. Such absences could significantly impact the league’s top-scoring offense.
While tonight’s game might not be as lopsided as their previous encounter, the Celtics, led by Jrue Holiday and Derrick White in the backcourt, possess one of the league’s best defensive duos. Without Haliburton, the Pacers’ offense might falter, making it a challenging night for them.
Despite some uncertainties due to injuries, Boston’s dominance on the boards and elite defense could pave the way for another victory and a cover against the spread.
New Orleans Pelicans at Sacramento Kings
Over 237 (-108)
In the nightcap of our doubleheader, the New Orleans Pelicans take on the Sacramento Kings. Both teams have been scoring at a blistering pace recently, with the Pelicans averaging 121.0 PPG in their last three games and the Kings not far behind at 122.0 PPG over their previous four contests.
While neither team boasts an elite offensive rating, the over has been a consistent winner. It’s gone 2-1 in the last three Pelicans games and has hit in four consecutive Kings games. Let’s delve into why the over might hit once again.
Thankfully, injuries are not a significant concern for this matchup, and star players on both teams are flourishing. Zion Williamson leads the Pelicans with a 30.2% usage rate and is averaging 25.9 PPG with a remarkable 62.7 FG% in his last eight games. On the Kings’ side, De’Aaron Fox, with a team-high 31.7% usage rate, is averaging 31.4 PPG with a 49.1 FG% over his previous five games.
Both Williamson and Fox have favorable matchups tonight. Williamson is likely to be guarded by Keegan Murray, who, despite a good defensive rating, might struggle against Zion’s physicality. Fox, on the other hand, faces C.J. McCollum, who has a decent but not elite defensive rating.
Moreover, both teams rank among the top 12 in pace in the NBA. The Pelicans excel in points in the paint, while the Kings allow points in the paint at a high rate. Sacramento also attempts a barrage of three-pointers, and the Pelicans concede many from beyond the arc.
Despite the 237-point total, the stars align for the over in this matchup. With both teams playing to their strengths and star players in top form, betting on the over seems like a prudent choice.
Please note that lines are subject to change, so stay updated as game time approaches.
