Category: NBA

San Antonio Spurs at Portland Trail Blazers odds, picks and prediction

Previewing Monday’s San Antonio Spurs at Portland Trail Blazers NBA betting odds and lines, with basketball picks, tips and predictions.

The San Antonio Spurs (7-6) are in the Rose City Martin Luther King Jr. Day for a 3 p.m. ET tip-off against the Portland Trail Blazers (8-5) at the Moda Center. Below, we analyze the Spurs-Trail Blazers NBA betting odds and lines, with picks and predictions.

San Antonio just split a two-game set at home with the Houston Rockets, losing the first 109-105 Thursday and winning the second 103-91 Saturday. The Spurs shot poorly in both games but won the second contest because they did two things well they generally don’t: Rebound and force turnovers. The Spurs were even in rebound differential (last in opponent’s rebounds per game) and forced 23 Rockets turnovers Saturday.

Portland’s defense kicked in during the second half of a 112-106 win over the Atlanta Hawks Saturday. The Trail Blazers erased a seven-point halftime deficit in part by holding the Hawks to 40 second-half points. SG C.J. McCollum sat out the second half with a sprained foot and is out Monday. While McCollum was out, PG Damian Lillard increased his aggressiveness, shooting eight of his 12 free throws in the second half.

The Trail Blazers covered all three meetings with the Spurs last season (2-1 outright). However, McCollum averaged 26 points on 47% shooting (47.8% from 3) with a 119 offensive rating in those three games vs. San Antonio.

Spurs at Trail Blazers: Betting odds, spread and lines

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:20 a.m. ET.

  • Money line: Spurs -120 (bet $120 to win $100) | Trail Blazers +100 (bet $100 to win $100)
  • Against the spread/ATS: Spurs -1.5 (-110) | Trail Blazers +1.5 (-110)
  • Over/Under: 224.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

Spurs at Trail Blazers: Key Injuries

Spurs

  • SG Derrick White (toe) out

Trail Blazers

  • SG C.J. McCollum (foot) out

Special NBA Betting Promotion!

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Spurs at Trail Blazers: Odds, betting lines, predictions and picks

Prediction

Spurs 112, Trail Blazers 108

Money line (ML)

These teams are neck and neck in net rating (Portland is 13th and San Antonio 14th), but these rankings factor in McCollum and C Jusuf Nurkic, neither will be playing on MLK Day.

The Spurs historically have done a pretty good job defending Lillard: Dame Time has scored 30-plus points in just seven out of his 25 career games vs. the Spurs. San Antonio PG Dejounte Murray has the best defensive rating on the starting lineup and most defensive win shares on the team.

Plus, you have the added revenge motivation for Spurs PF LaMarcus Aldridge, who was a four-time All-Star during his nine-year stint in Portland. I’m rolling with the SPURS (-120) for 1.25 units.

Against the spread (ATS)

PASS ON THE SPREAD.

Over/Under (O/U)

If the total is in the 220s, I lean UNDER 224.5 (-110) for a quarter-unit. These teams have a combined 10-16 O/U record and San Antonio has the ninth-best defensive rating. It’s only a lean though because the Over has cashed in eight of the previous nine Spurs-Trail Blazers games.

Want some action on this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.

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Minnesota Timberwolves at Atlanta Hawks odds, picks and prediction

Previewing Monday’s Minnesota Timberwolves at Atlanta Hawks NBA betting odds and lines, with basketball picks, tips and predictions.

The Atlanta Hawks (5-7) host the Minnesota Timberwolves (3-8) Monday at State Farm Arena. The Martin Luther King Day tip-off is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze the Timberwolves-Hawks NBA betting odds and lines, with picks and predictions.

Minnesota has lost four of its past five (3-2 against the spread), including a 118-107 home loss to the Memphis Grizzlies Wednesday. The Timberwolves were outscored 38-17 in the fourth quarter to blow the game and their biggest issue surfaced again—interior defense. Minnesota was outscored in the paint 80-44 by Memphis and is allowing the most points in the paint in the league.

The Hawks also dropped their last game—a 112-106 loss at the Portland Trail Blazers Saturday—and have lost six of their last seven (straight-up and ATS). It was another poor shooting night for a Hawks team that is second-to-last in field-goal percentage and 23rd in effective field-goal percentage. Atlanta was 6-for-30 from behind the arc against Portland and PG Trae Young was 30.4% from the field and made no 3’s in the second half.

These teams split last season’s series (straight-up and ATS) with the road team each winning a game. The Hawks are 3-1 straight-up and ATS vs. the Timberwolves since drafting Young in 2018.

Timberwolves at Hawks: Betting odds, spread and lines

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Sunday at 8:01 p.m. ET.

  • Money line: Timberwolves +260 (bet $100 to win $260) | Hawks -350 (bet $350 to win $100)
  • Against the spread/ATS: Timberwolves +7.5 (-110) | Hawks -7.5 (-110)
  • Over/Under: 229.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

Timberwolves at Hawks: Key Injuries

Timberwolves

  • PF Juancho Hernangomez (COVID-19 health and safety protocols) out
  • F/G Josh Okogie (hamstring) probable
  • G Ricky Rubio (COVID-19 health and safety protocols) out
  • C Karl-Anthony Towns (COVID-19 health and safety protocols) out

Hawks

  • SG Bogdan Bogdanovic (knee) out
  • SF Danilo Gallinari (ankle) doubtful
  • SG Cam Reddish (knee) questionable

Special NBA Betting Promotion!

Place a $1 bet on either team’s money line, WIN an additional $100 (in free bets) if either team hits a 3-pointer during the game today. Promotion available in CO, IN, NJ, TN and WV. IA and PA residents, don’t miss BetMGM‘s risk-free, first-bet offer! MI residents, BetMGM is coming to your state soon — register early for special promotion.

Place your legal, online sports bets at BetMGM! Terms and conditions apply. Bet now!

Timberwolves at Hawks: Odds, betting lines, predictions and picks

Prediction

Timberwolves 116, Hawks 111

Money line (ML)

Atlanta is one of the worst shooting teams in the league, and the biggest weakness of the Timberwolves—interior defense—the Hawks probably won’t be able to exploit. The Hawks are middle of the pack in drives per game and last in field-goal percentage on drives.

Also, Minnesota’s backcourt—PG D’Angelo Russell and SG Malik Beasley—are both averaging 20-plus points per game and I give the Timberwolves the edge on the perimeter. It’s more of lean because I like Minnesota plus points, but let’s put a tiny wager on TIMBERWOLVES (+260).

Against the spread (ATS)

To be honest, it’s hard to make a pro-Timberwolves case, but I’m looking to fade the Hawks as much as possible. I get Atlanta has a plus net rating and Minnesota has the worst net rating, but the Timberwolves have played the third-toughest schedule so far and the Hawks just 15th.

Furthermore, the Hawks have been a bad bet at home this season and are just 1-4 ATS as a home favorite. Atlanta isn’t a tough environment pre-COVID and the Timberwolves beat the Hawks on their home floor last season.

GIMME TIMBERWOLVES +7.5 (-110) for 1.5 units.

Over/Under (O/U)

I lean UNDER 229.5 (-110) for a quarter-unit because Atlanta has a 2-10 O/U record and its opponents have the third-lowest effective field-goal percentage. However, since both teams are so inconsistent, the Over has cashed in five straight Timberwolves-Hawks games and I have a stronger grasp of the sides, I wouldn’t wager much on the total.

Want some action on this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.

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Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Minnesota Timberwolves at Atlanta Hawks odds, picks and prediction

Previewing Monday’s Minnesota Timberwolves at Atlanta Hawks NBA betting odds and lines, with basketball picks, tips and predictions.

The Atlanta Hawks (5-7) host the Minnesota Timberwolves (3-8) Monday at State Farm Arena. The Martin Luther King Day tip-off is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze the Timberwolves-Hawks NBA betting odds and lines, with picks and predictions.

Minnesota has lost four of its past five (3-2 against the spread), including a 118-107 home loss to the Memphis Grizzlies Wednesday. The Timberwolves were outscored 38-17 in the fourth quarter to blow the game and their biggest issue surfaced again—interior defense. Minnesota was outscored in the paint 80-44 by Memphis and is allowing the most points in the paint in the league.

The Hawks also dropped their last game—a 112-106 loss at the Portland Trail Blazers Saturday—and have lost six of their last seven (straight-up and ATS). It was another poor shooting night for a Hawks team that is second-to-last in field-goal percentage and 23rd in effective field-goal percentage. Atlanta was 6-for-30 from behind the arc against Portland and PG Trae Young was 30.4% from the field and made no 3’s in the second half.

These teams split last season’s series (straight-up and ATS) with the road team each winning a game. The Hawks are 3-1 straight-up and ATS vs. the Timberwolves since drafting Young in 2018.

Timberwolves at Hawks: Betting odds, spread and lines

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Sunday at 8:01 p.m. ET.

  • Money line: Timberwolves +260 (bet $100 to win $260) | Hawks -350 (bet $350 to win $100)
  • Against the spread/ATS: Timberwolves +7.5 (-110) | Hawks -7.5 (-110)
  • Over/Under: 229.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

Timberwolves at Hawks: Key Injuries

Timberwolves

  • PF Juancho Hernangomez (COVID-19 health and safety protocols) out
  • F/G Josh Okogie (hamstring) probable
  • G Ricky Rubio (COVID-19 health and safety protocols) out
  • C Karl-Anthony Towns (COVID-19 health and safety protocols) out

Hawks

  • SG Bogdan Bogdanovic (knee) out
  • SF Danilo Gallinari (ankle) doubtful
  • SG Cam Reddish (knee) questionable

Special NBA Betting Promotion!

Place a $1 bet on either team’s money line, WIN an additional $100 (in free bets) if either team hits a 3-pointer during the game today. Promotion available in CO, IN, NJ, TN and WV. IA and PA residents, don’t miss BetMGM‘s risk-free, first-bet offer! MI residents, BetMGM is coming to your state soon — register early for special promotion.

Place your legal, online sports bets at BetMGM! Terms and conditions apply. Bet now!

Timberwolves at Hawks: Odds, betting lines, predictions and picks

Prediction

Timberwolves 116, Hawks 111

Money line (ML)

Atlanta is one of the worst shooting teams in the league, and the biggest weakness of the Timberwolves—interior defense—the Hawks probably won’t be able to exploit. The Hawks are middle of the pack in drives per game and last in field-goal percentage on drives.

Also, Minnesota’s backcourt—PG D’Angelo Russell and SG Malik Beasley—are both averaging 20-plus points per game and I give the Timberwolves the edge on the perimeter. It’s more of lean because I like Minnesota plus points, but let’s put a tiny wager on TIMBERWOLVES (+260).

Against the spread (ATS)

To be honest, it’s hard to make a pro-Timberwolves case, but I’m looking to fade the Hawks as much as possible. I get Atlanta has a plus net rating and Minnesota has the worst net rating, but the Timberwolves have played the third-toughest schedule so far and the Hawks just 15th.

Furthermore, the Hawks have been a bad bet at home this season and are just 1-4 ATS as a home favorite. Atlanta isn’t a tough environment pre-COVID and the Timberwolves beat the Hawks on their home floor last season.

GIMME TIMBERWOLVES +7.5 (-110) for 1.5 units.

Over/Under (O/U)

I lean UNDER 229.5 (-110) for a quarter-unit because Atlanta has a 2-10 O/U record and its opponents have the third-lowest effective field-goal percentage. However, since both teams are so inconsistent, the Over has cashed in five straight Timberwolves-Hawks games and I have a stronger grasp of the sides, I wouldn’t wager much on the total.

Want some action on this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.

Also see: 

Follow Geoff Clark on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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VFL Admiral Schofield is top pick in G-League draft

A former Vol was taken with the top pick in the recent 2021 NBA G-League draft.

A former University of Tennessee basketball player has a new home in professional basketball.

Admiral Schofield, who was waived by the Oklahoma City Thunder recently, was the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA G-League draft.

He was selected by the Greensboro Swarm, a G-League affiliate of Charlotte.

The G-League is slated to begin its 2021 season in February.

After a career with the Volunteers that saw him receive First-Team All-Southeastern Conference honors as a senior in 2019, Schofield was taken in the second round of the 2019 NBA draft by Philadelphia. The 76ers later traded his rights to Washington.

As a rookie, Schofield was a two-way player, splitting time between the Wizards and their G-League affiliate, the Capital City Go-Go.

Schofield, who plays both guard and forward, appeared in 33 games last season and played for the Wizards.

He was traded to the Thunder during the 2020 NBA draft, but was waived after the team’s preseason.

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Former Vols in the NBA: Jan. 16 recap

Former Vols’ performances in NBA games on Jan. 16.

A pair of former University of Tennessee basketball players were in action Saturday night.

76ers’ Tobias Harris and Orlando’s Jordan Bone saw action in their team’s respective games.

Harris, a forward for Philadelphia, made a return to the Volunteer State as the 76ers tangled with Memphis.

Harris started and played 32 minutes in Philadelphia’s, 106-104, loss to the Grizzlies at FedEx Forum.

He scored 21 points, pulled down three rebounds and dished out two assists in the contest for the 76ers (9-5).

Meanwhile, in Brooklyn, Orlando came up on the short end of a 122-115 decision against the Nets at Barclays Center.

Two-way player and guard Jordan Bone played 21 minutes for the Magic (6-7).

He failed to score, but had four rebounds and one assist in the game.

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Philadelphia 76ers at Oklahoma City Thunder odds, picks and prediction

Previewing Sunday’s Philadelphia 76ers at Oklahoma City Thunder NBA betting odds and lines, with basketball picks, tips and predictions.

The Philadelphia 76ers (9-5) play their second road game in as many days Sunday. They face the Oklahoma City Thunder (6-6) at Chesapeake Energy Arena with tip-off set for 7 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze the 76ers-Thunder NBA betting odds and lines, with picks and predictions.

The 76ers lost a 106-104 nail-biter as 1.5-point road underdogs at the Memphis Grizzlies Saturday. Philadelphia being careless with the rock is becoming a consistent thing; the 76ers turned the ball over 23 times against the Grizzlies and have the third-highest turnover percentage in the NBA.

Oklahoma City fought back from an 18-point first-half deficit to beat the Chicago Bulls 127-125 in overtime as a 2.5-point home underdog Friday. The win snapped a two-game losing skid for the Thunder. OKC SG Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with a team-high 33 points on 68.4% shooting, adding 5 rebounds and 10 assists.

These teams split their season series last year but OKC covered the spread in both games. Philadelphia has lost six of seven against the spread against OKC.

76ers at Thunder: Betting odds, spread and lines

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:45 a.m. ET.

  • Money line: 76ers -145 (bet $145 to win $100) | Thunder +120 (bet $120 to win $100)
  • Against the spread/ATS: 76ers -2.5 (-110) | Thunder +2.5 (-110)
  • Over/Under: 221.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

76ers at Thunder: Key Injuries

76ers

  • C Joel Embiid (knee) out
  • SG Seth Curry (COVID-19) out
  • PF Mike Scott (knee) out
  • SG Furkan Korkmaz (thigh) out

Thunder

  • C Al Horford (personal) out
  • SF Trevor Ariza (personal) out

Special NBA Betting Promotion!

Place a $1 bet on either team’s money line, WIN an additional $100 (in free bets) if either team hits a 3-pointer during the game today. Promotion available in CO, IN, NJ, TN and WV. IA and PA residents, don’t miss BetMGM‘s risk-free, first-bet offer! MI residents, BetMGM is coming to your state soon — register early for special promotion.

Place your legal, online sports bets at BetMGM! Terms and conditions apply. Bet now!

76ers at Thunder: Odds, betting lines, predictions and picks

Prediction

Thunder 113, 76ers 109

Money line (ML)

It’s been a long week for Philadelphia (more on that in a second) but, there’s a good chance the 76ers are looking ahead as they have two nationally televised home games against the Boston Celtics following this game.

Furthermore, Philadelphia hasn’t looked great recently. The 76ers have lost four of six games and those two wins were against a COVID-19-ravaged Miami Heat team. 76ers-Thunder is priced as if Philadelphia is an upper-echelon team, and it might be when fully healthy, but in this spot, the value is with OKC.

I lean THUNDER (+120) for a quarter-unit with a plan to bet the spread heavier.

Against the spread (ATS)

Aren’t the 76ers tired? This is Philadelphia’s second back-to-back and its fifth game this week. The 76ers are 10-15-2 ATS with a minus-4.1 ATS margin since 2018 in the second game of a back-to-back.

Also, this is a good spot for OKC as the Thunder have covered the spread in 11 straight Sunday games and are 3-0 ATS this season when getting 3-4.5 points.

GIMME THUNDER +2.5 (-110) for 1.5 units.

Over/Under (O/U)

PASS ON THE TOTAL with a lean on OVER 221.5 (-110). The market has steamed the total up from the 219.5-point opener and I’d guess it has to do with the 76ers being a little worn out and the Thunder’s high 3-point rate. I’d rather take the OKC side than the Over.

Want some action on this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.

Also see: 

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Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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James Harden’s huge debut with the Nets sparked questions about Kyrie Irving

How will Kyrie Irving fit? And when will he return?

James Harden’s debut for the Brooklyn Nets was pretty much exactly what they could have hoped for. Sure, there were turnovers (19). The Nets also beat a mediocre Orlando Magic team (6-7).

But Harden and Kevin Durant were dominant together, even if their chemistry had faded sightly from their Thunder days. Harden managed to set a Nets’ franchise record with 14 assists in the game. He finished the game with 32 points, 14 assists and 12 rebounds, which made him the first player in NBA history with a 30-point triple-double in their debut with a team, per ESPN Stats & Info. Durant added 42 points and five assists.

Harden said after the game that his transition has been fairly seamless: “When you play with really, really good players, it’s pretty easy.”

There is, however, a dark cloud looming over Brooklyn. Harden gracefully addressed the lingering controversy with some optimism after the win in his Instagram story.

Right… so where is Kyrie Irving? And when is he back?

Irving was put in a five-day quarantine for partying indoors without a mask. His actions led to a $50,000 fine and the forfeiture of roughly $800,000 in earnings. That absence covered only a fraction of his time away from the team, which has now spanned six games.

Irving was eligible to play on Saturday night, but the Nets listed him as out as a part of the league’s health and safety protocols. Nets coach Steve Nash wouldn’t commit to a timeline for Irving’s return. Nash was asked about Irving before Saturday’s game. From the New York Post:

“Hopefully, we’re close. I can’t really give you a firm update on that. We have to assess that as we go. We do want to make sure he ramps accordingly so that he’s not susceptible to unnecessary injury and protect him the best we can. But hopefully, it will be a short period of time. That is to be determined, though.”

It’s strange that Irving needs an undetermined timeline to ramp up activities while Harden didn’t even need a practice to get in the mix with Brooklyn. Of course, he only went four days without playing as Houston traded him to Brooklyn. Irving last played an NBA game on Jan. 4.

Nets general manager Sean Marks said on Jan. 14 that Irving was “excited” to get back on the court following Brooklyn’s acquisition of Harden. Irving has largely avoided media interviews this season, and so it’s unclear why he’s been absent for so long and what he thinks about the Harden trade.

We’ve seen that Durant and Harden have immediately clicked — which only sparked more questions about whether (or if) Irving will return to the Nets. And then there’s the question as to how those three stars will function on and off the court.

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Chicago Bulls at Dallas Mavericks odds, picks and prediction

Previewing Sunday’s Chicago Bulls at Dallas Mavericks NBA betting odds and lines, with basketball picks, tips and predictions.

The Dallas Mavericks (6-5) host the Chicago Bulls (4-8) Sunday at American Airlines Center for a 3 p.m. ET tip-off. Below, we analyze the Bulls-Mavericks NBA betting odds and lines, with picks and predictions.

The Mavericks had a four-game win streak snapped with a 112-109 loss at the Milwaukee Bucks Friday. Each of their previous four wins were decided by at least 7 points.

The Bulls have dropped four straight decisions, including a 127-125 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder Friday. All four losses were within a 4-point margin.

Bulls at Mavericks: Betting odds, spread and lines

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:04 a.m. ET.

  • Money line: Bulls +230 (bet $100 to win $230) | Mavericks -275 (bet $275 to win $100)
  • Against the spread/ATS: Bulls +7.5 (-120) | Mavericks -7.5 (+100)
  • Over/Under: 227.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

Bulls at Mavericks: Key Injuries

Bulls

  • PF Chandler Hutchison (health and safety protocols) out
  • SG Luke Kornet (not with team) out
  • SF Otto Porter Jr. (back) probable
  • PG Tomas Satoransky (health and safety protocols) out
  • SF Garrett Temple (ankle) probable

Mavericks

  • PG Jalen Brunson (health and safety protocols) questionable
  • PF Dorian Finney-Smith (health and safety protocols) out
  • SG Tim Hardaway Jr. (groin) questionable
  • PF Maxi Kleber (health and safety protocols) out
  • PF Kristaps Porzingis (ankle) probable
  • C Dwight Powell (health and safety protocols) out
  • SF Josh Richardson (health and safety protocols) out

Special NBA Betting Promotion!

Place a $1 bet on either team’s money line, WIN an additional $100 (in free bets) if either team hits a 3-pointer during the game today. Promotion available in CO, IN, NJ, TN and WV. IA and PA residents, don’t miss BetMGM‘s risk-free, first-bet offer! MI residents, BetMGM is coming to your state soon — register early for special promotion.

Place your legal, online sports bets at BetMGM! Terms and conditions apply. Bet now!

Bulls at Mavericks: Odds, betting lines, predictions and picks

Prediction

Mavericks 128, Bulls 115

Money line (ML)

The Bulls have been playing their best basketball but in one of the toughest stretches of the schedule they’ll have all season. They lost 117-115 to the Los Angeles Lakers and 130-127 to the Los Angeles Clippers. Chicago covered the spread as an underdog of 8.5 and 12 points, respectively.

Still, Dallas has been winning with authority and has flawlessly reincorporated Porzingis into the lineup. Through two games, he’s averaging 15.5 points per game and 7.0 rebounds per game. PG Luka Doncic continues to lead the way for the Mavericks with 27.5 PPG, 9.5 RPG and 8.8 assists per game.

The Mavericks should win this against an inferior team, but the Bulls’ recent performances against elite Western Conference competition are enough reason to steer clear of the -275 money line price. We’ll get better value on the spread.

PASS.

Against the spread (ATS)

Get the MAVERICKS -7.5 (+100) as a solid value while needing to win by at least 8 points. Chicago covered the spread in eight of its last 10 games to improve to 8-4 ATS for the season, but Dallas is also 7-4 ATS and has covered in five straight games coming into Sunday.

The Mavs take better care of the ball and are the superior rebounding team. They hold opponents to the third-worst field-goal percentage in the NBA while the Bulls allow opponents to hit on 47.8% of field-goal attempts to rank 24th in the Association.

Over/Under (O/U)

Take the OVER 227.5 (-110). The matinee tip will likely be a better defense against scoring than either of these teams will provide. Chicago has played to four straight Overs and is 8-4 against the O/U for the season.

Want some action on this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.

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Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Indiana Pacers at Los Angeles Clippers odds, picks and prediction

Previewing Sunday’s Indiana Pacers at Los Angeles Clippers NBA betting odds and lines, with basketball picks, tips and predictions.

The Indiana Pacers (8-4) are in Tinseltown Sunday for a 10 p.m. ET game against the Los Angeles Clippers (9-4) at Staples Center. Below, we analyze the Pacers-Clippers NBA betting odds and lines, with picks and predictions.

Indiana’s scheduled game against the Phoenix Suns Saturday was postponed because of COVID-19 concerns. The Pacers have won and covered in back-to-back games: Indiana beat the Golden State Warriors 104-95 Tuesday and the Portland Trail Blazers 111-87 Thursday.

The Clippers have won four of their last five and three straight, including a 138-100 beatdown they put on the Sacramento Kings Friday. Los Angeles wings Kawhi Leonard and Paul George continue to get buckets, combining for 53 points on 18-for-29 shooting (5-for-11 from deep) vs. the Kings.

Both have excelled offensively to start the season with the Clippers ranking first in offensive rating and the Pacers 10th. Los Angeles has won and covered its last two games vs. Indiana, but only one of those games was last season in the Kawhi-and-PG era Clippers.

Pacers at Clippers: Betting odds, spread and lines

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:39 a.m. ET.

  • Money line: Pacers +195 (bet $100 to win $195) | Clippers -250 (bet $250 to win $100)
  • Against the spread/ATS: Pacers +6.5 (-120) | Clippers -6.5 (+100)
  • Over/Under: 219.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)

Pacers at Clippers: Key Injuries

Clippers

  • SG Lou Williams (hip) questionable

Special NBA Betting Promotion!

Place a $1 bet on either team’s money line, WIN an additional $100 (in free bets) if either team hits a 3-pointer during the game today. Promotion available in CO, IN, NJ, TN and WV. IA and PA residents, don’t miss BetMGM‘s risk-free, first-bet offer! MI residents, BetMGM is coming to your state soon — register early for special promotion.

Place your legal, online sports bets at BetMGM! Terms and conditions apply. Bet now!

Pacers at Clippers: Odds, betting lines, predictions and picks

Prediction

Clippers 110, Pacers 107

Money line (ML)

PASS with a lean on Pacers (+195) since I’m betting Indiana plus points and often I’ll sprinkle on an underdog’s money line when taking them to cover. (The score is an honest projection).

Against the spread (ATS)

GIMME PACERS +6.5 (-120) for 1 unit. Not only is Indiana 4-0 ATS as an underdog, but the Pacers have won all four with three being road games. Los Angeles is just 2-4 ATS as a home favorite, and only two of those games were against teams positive in net rating (Dallas Mavericks Dec. 27 and Portland Trail Blazers Dec. 30). In fact, the Pacers are third in net rating while the Clippers are sixth.

Be sure to monitor the injury report and wait till before tip-off because the Pacers are a much better bet if the Clippers are without Williams and/or PG Patrick Beverley.

Over/Under (O/U)

Lean UNDER 219.5 (-110) for a quarter-unit for a few reasons. First, both these teams play at a below-average pace. Second, the Under correlates with our Pacers ATS bet because Indiana is 2-9 O/U in its last 11 games as underdogs. Third, Los Angeles is 1-7-2 O/U in its last 10 games vs. teams with a 60-plus winning percentage.

Want some action on this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.

Also see: 

Follow Geoff Clark on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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New Orleans Pelicans at Sacramento Kings odds, picks and prediction

Previewing Sunday’s New Orleans Pelicans at Sacramento Kings NBA betting odds and lines, with basketball picks, tips and predictions.

The New Orleans Pelicans (4-7) stop by the Golden 1 Center Sunday for a 9 p.m. ET tip-off against the Sacramento Kings (5-8). Below, we analyze the Pelicans-Kings NBA betting odds and lines, with picks and predictions.

Both of these teams are playing bad right now: New Orleans is in the midst of a five-game skid and Sacramento has dropped four of its past five games.

The Pelicans lost back-to-back games in the Staples Center. They lost to the Los Angeles Clippers 111-106 Wednesday but covered as 11.5-point underdogs despite missing PF Zion Williamson and PG Lonzo Ball. Then they lost to the Los Angeles Lakers 112-95 Friday, failing to cover as 9-point underdogs.

Sacramento’s defense cannot stop anyone at the moment. Opponents are averaging 132.2 points per game in Sacramento’s past five games, which includes a 138-100 blowout by the Clippers Friday.

The Kings won the last season’s regular-season series 2-1 (2-1 against the spread), but those two wins came in the Orlando bubble and the Pelicans had one of the worst showings of any team in the restart, going 2-6.

Pelicans at Kings: Betting odds, spread and lines

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:20 a.m. ET.

  • Money line: Pelicans -145 (bet $145 to win $100) | Kings +120 (bet $100 to win $120)
  • Against the spread/ATS: Pelicans -2.5 (-115) | Kings +2.5 (-105)
  • Over/Under: 226.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)

Pelicans at Kings: Key Injuries

Pelicans

  • PG Lonzo Ball (knee) out

Kings

  • PF Marvin Bagley III (wrist) questionable
  • C Hassan Whiteside (hip) questionable

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Pelicans at Kings: Odds, betting lines, predictions and picks

Prediction

Kings 119, Pelicans 109

Money line (ML)

There’s no way the Pelicans should be favored or even equal-money on the road against anyone based on how they’ve played recently. We can pick apart the reasons why both teams are bad, but at the end of the day, this handicap boils down to the wrong team being favored.

GIMME KINGS (+120) for a half-unit.

Against the spread (ATS)

Maybe I am being a nit, but I’ll GRAB KINGS +2.5 (-105) for 1 unit for a little insurance. Both teams have found creative ways to lose so far this season and I’d rather be safe than sorry with Sacramento. Either way, the Kings are the right side, so I don’t hate a Sacramento bet straight-up or plus points.

Over/Under (O/U)

PASS ON THE TOTAL. The Over 226.5 (-110) is too obvious and I don’t like how New Orleans’ offense has looked in its two games since Ball has been sidelined with a knee injury (100.5 points per game). However, taking an Under in a Kings game is peaking NBA gambling as Sacramento is 9-4 O/U this season.

Want some action on this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.

Also see: 

Follow Geoff Clark on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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