Top NBA Pick: Celtics -13.5 (-110) at BetOnline (visit our BetOnline Review)
It’s the final day of the group stage in the NBA In-Season Tournament, and our main offshore sportsbooks have some interesting choices. Let’s go through some of the best bets on the NBA slate for today!
Chicago Bulls vs. Boston Celtics
Tuesday, November 28, 2023 – 07:30 PM ET at TD Garden
Injury Woes and Defensive Strengths
The Celtics have already announced that Kristaps Porziņģis will miss some time with a calf injury. Boston is already shorthanded and is waiting on Derrick White and Jrue Holiday. Those two are questionable for tonight’s game. Meanwhile, the Bulls have Alex Caruso and Zach LaVine listed as game-time decisions. So they’re also waiting on a couple of key players. But all in all, the Celtics still have their main two players, Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum. That will go a long way.
The Celtics have become one of the best defenses in the NBA, holding teams to 107.6 points per 100 possessions. Boston has also held teams to a 51% effective field goal percentage. Opponents have struggled to earn second chances and don’t get to the foul line much against Boston. With the Bulls scoring 110.4 points per 100 possessions, it’s unlikely that Chicago has a big offensive output against the Celtics.
Meanwhile, the Celtics are top-ten in points per 100 possessions and effective field goal percentage. They’ll have an advantage in those categories, with the Bulls allowing a 56.2% effective field goal percentage.
The Pick
Chicago has only won eight games this season. Part of the problem is their defensive rebounding and continuous fouling.
Take the Celtics in a rout.
NBA Pick: Celtics -13.5 (-110) at BetOnline
Toronto Raptors vs. Brooklyn Nets
Tuesday, November 28, 2023 – 07:30 PM ET at Barclays Center
Offensive Struggles
The Raptors are another poor offense in the NBA. They’ve added 111.6 points per 100 possessions, with an effective field goal percentage of 53.2%. Toronto is below average in almost every category on the offensive end. They’ll take on an average Nets defense. But Brooklyn has at least held teams to a 26.4% offensive rebounding rate.
Opponents are also not getting to the foul line at a consistent pace against the Nets. Meanwhile, Brooklyn won’t see the foul line much on their end. Still, the Nets have shot an effective field goal percentage of 56%, which is 6th-best in the nation. With the Raptors allowing a 54.3% effective field goal percentage, the Nets certainly have the advantage for this matchup on both ends of the floor.
The Pick
The Nets have four players listed as game-time decisions, but only Cameron Johnson is a sure thing to get some playing time tonight out of the four questionable players. Dennis Smith Jr., Nicolas Claxton, and Cam Thomas are the three other players questionable and listed as game-time decisions.
However, I still like the Nets to get by the Raptors in this NBA In-Season Tournament group stage.
NBA Pick: Nets -1.5 (-110) at BetOnline
Houston Rockets vs. Dallas Mavericks
Tuesday, November 28, 2023 – 08:30 PM ET at American Airlines Center
Defensive Dilemma
The Dallas Mavericks have ten wins on the season. However, the defense could really use some reinforcements.
The defense has allowed 117.8 points per 100 possessions, with an effective field goal percentage of 56.4%. Dallas has done well keeping teams off the glass and should at least have the advantage on the defensive glass, with the Rockets earning only 24.1% of offensive rebounds this year. Still, the Rockets will get some good looks and continue to keep turnovers down against the Mavericks in this game,
Meanwhile, the Mavericks are one of the best offenses in the NBA. It’s just that they’re facing the best defense in the NBA, the Rockets. Houston’s defense ranks first in points per 100 possessions and second in effective field goal percentage. The Rockets are also ranked fourth in defensive rebounding and have earned 14.5% of turnovers per game.
The turnovers won’t come easy, and the Rockets are facing a difficult offense in Dallas that has scored over 119 points per 100 possessions. However, Houston still matches up better against the Mavericks on both sides of the ball.
The Pick
If Houston can keep Dallas below their seasonal average offensively, the Rockets will at least cover the +4.5 spread.
NBA Pick: Rockets +4.5 (-110) at BetOnline
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.
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