Top NBA Pick: Lakers -4.5 (-110) at BetOnline (visit our BetOnline Review)
There are plenty of exciting spots for tonight’s NBA slate. I’ve added three of my favorite bets for the night. Tail along, and let’s begin the week with some profit at our main offshore sportsbooks!
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Indiana Pacers
Monday, December 18, 2023 – 07:00 PM ET at Gainbridge Fieldhouse
Clippers Favored to Capitalize
The Indiana Pacers are an Over machine this year. They rank second in points per 100 possessions on offense and 29th in points per 100 possessions on defense.
The Clippers should capitalize offensively against the Pacers. They’ve scored 117.7 points per 100 possessions and rank 7th at getting to the foul line. With the Pacers allowing the highest free throw rate in the NBA at 26, the Clippers should earn plenty of points at the foul line.
They should also shoot the ball at a high percentage, knowing the Clippers have a 57.1% effective field goal percentage on defense.
While the Pacers won’t get to the foul line as much for this matchup, Indiana has still scored 112.2 points per 100 possessions with a 58.2% effective field goal percentage. However, the Clippers have held opponents to 111.1 points per 100 possessions with a 51.6% effective field goal percentage.
The Pick
The Pacers don’t have much defense. However, the Clippers do. I like Los Angeles to get enough stops for a cover of -2.5.
NBA Pick: Clippers -2.5 (-110) via BetOnline
Washington Wizards vs. Sacramento Kings
Monday, December 18, 2023 – 10:00 PM ET at Golden 1 Center
Wizards’ Defensive Woes
The Washington Wizards have one of the worst offenses in the NBA. The Wizards have earned 112.4 points per 100 possessions thanks to a 55.3% effective field goal percentage.
However, the Wizards have only earned 20.5% of offensive rebounds per game this season. With the Kings allowing only 24.8% of offensive rebounds, Washington will likely struggle badly at earning second chances.
While the Kings foul at a high rate, the Warriors aren’t aggressive enough to get to the foul line.
On the other hand, Washington’s in dead last with 123 points per 100 possessions defensively. The Wizards have also allowed a 57.5% effective field goal percentage, which is 29th in the NBA.
The Wizards are weak on the defensive glass and below average at forcing turnovers.
The Pick
With the Kings shooting an effective field goal percentage of 55.4, Sacramento should have plenty of success in their home-building matchup against a Washington team that only has four wins on the season.
Look for the Kings to pile it on against the Wizards tonight.
NBA Pick: Kings -11.5 (-110) via BetOnline
New York Knicks vs. Los Angeles Lakers
Monday, December 18, 2023 – 10:30 PM ET at Crypto.com Arena
Star Power and Injury Challenges
The Knicks and Lakers will play their first of two games in the regular season. The Lakers have LeBron James and Anthony Davis listed as questionable. But on normal rest, it’s more likely that those two play.
Meanwhile, the Knicks no longer have Mitchell Robinson for the next two months. He’s got an ankle injury that will require surgery. Therefore, other big men will have to step up in his place.
The Knicks are currently three games deep into their West Coast road trip. They’re 1-2 and playing in high-scoring games.
The Knicks are a top offense in the NBA. They rank 7th in points per 100 possessions and have earned 33.3% of offensive rebounds, which is the top rate in the NBA. However, New York could struggle to get to the foul line, with the Lakers allowing only a free throw rate of 15.5.
The Knicks have also shot an effective field goal percentage of 53.9%. That’s only good for 20th in the NBA. Therefore, they’ll really need to work the glass to help put points on the board on the offensive end.
On the flip side, the Lakers are brutal on the offensive glass, earning only 23.9% of offensive rebounds. Los Angeles will also struggle to find the foul line, with New York allowing an 18.2 free throw rate. However, the difference between the Knicks and Lakers offensively is that the Lakers are shooting a 55.7% effective field goal percentage.
The Pick
The Lakers should get higher-quality looks, while the Knicks should have more success on the offensive glass. Still, at home, I like the Lakers to shoot at a solid percentage and escape with the win.
NBA Pick: Lakers -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.
Calculators
