Welcome to the daily NBA best bets page, your source for analysis on the betting lines for the day in professional hoops. For updates throughout the day follow me on Twitter, and make sure to subscribe to the Hardwood Handicappers podcast!
All game lines via the VSiN NBA odds page
*Indicates team is on the second leg of a back-to-back
**Lines are opening numbers
Best Bets
Record: 29-31 | Units: -2.84 | ROI: -4.88%
When it comes to the situation and scheduling spot this probably isn’t the best time to come in and back New Orleans. The Pelicans are hitting the road after an emotionally charged two-game series with the Suns which they swept, and now have to play in altitude against a great offensive team like the Jazz. With that said, if you put the situation aside you see a matchup that works in New Orleans favor and that is too good to pass up.
First, we get the lopsided meeting between the Pelicans’ offense which averages 116.6 points per 100 possessions in non-garbage time against the Jazz defense which allows 116.1 points per 100 possessions. The areas in which Utah struggles on defense are the ones in which New Orleans thrives. The Jazz allow opponents to take 34.9% of their shots at the rim and hit them at a 66.3% clip while the Pelicans take the third most shots in the league within four feet (39.8%) and shoot 66.6% from that area of the floor. Utah has become one of the worst halfcourt defenses in the NBA, allowing 98.4 points per 100 plays. One of the reasons why is their inability to keep teams off the offensive glass, as they rank 25th in putback points per 100 missed attempts allowed (23.4). New Orleans ranks sixth in halfcourt offense (99.7) and 10th in putback points per 100 missed attempts (23.5). The Jazz rank 22nd in opponent points added per 100 possessions through transition offense (3.3) and the Pelicans rank eighth in that category on offense (3.3).
One would argue that there is obviously another side to this matchup outside of New Orleans’ offense facing Utah’s defense, and they would be right. However, the main strength of the Jazz offense would be its offensive rebounding, a category in which they rank sixth (29.3%) and which has led to the team ranking fifth in putback points per 100 missed attempts (24.1). The problem is that the Pelicans are an adept rebounding team on both ends of the floor and rank 10th in defensive rebounding (74.0%) and 11th in putback points allowed (19.6). The only missing piece tonight will be Brandon Ingram, so give me the road team.
Play: Pelicans (-1.5)
Best Bet Recap
Pelicans (-1.5)
The Rest
De’Aaron Fox has missed the last two games and is questionable once more tonight, and his availability will be key for Sacramento. The Kings are 4-5 SU and ATS in their last nine games, but oddly enough it is due to their offense which has managed just 111.2 points per 100 possessions over this stretch. They will need Fox and a better offensive effort tonight against the 76ers which have exploded on offense since James Harden’s return. In the three games since Harden came back Philadelphia is 2-1 SU and ATS with an offense that is putting up 120.1 points per 100 possessions. This line and total have not moved and that is due to the status of Fox, but it would seem the 76ers are in a good position to take advantage of a below average
Once more, the injury report will be vital here. Jrue Holiday is questionable to play tonight, and if he cannot go that is a massive blow for Milwaukee. Holiday was key in their win over Dallas last week and is the only defender capable of chasing Steph Curry around the floor. Bettors will also have to take into account how the Bucks’ drop defense with Brook Lopez on the floor affects this match up. Luka Doncic absolutely abused it on Friday night to the point that Mike Budenholzer benched Lopez halfway through the end of the third quarter until Giannis Antetokounmpo got into foul trouble. There are many who will focus on Golden State’s 2-11 SU/3-10 ATS road record this season, but keep in mind that the Warriors are playing well and are 7-2 ATS in their last nine games.
This is a brutal scheduling spot for the Celtics who are playing with no rest tonight after getting smacked by the Clippers on Monday. There is a chance that Joe Mazzula decides to rest quite a few of his starters, especially after Jayson Tatum played 37 minutes in a blowout loss. Until their status is known it's impossible to get involved in this game preflop. As we usually see with situations like this, the market has not moved this side from the overnight opening line. The total has been bet up to 236 which is odd considering Tatum could sit and this total would drop back down if that were the case.