NBA betting: Six picks for Tuesday’s slate
Now let’s get into my first betting recommendation.
Pascal Siakam over 28.5 points and rebounds.
Siakam has cleared this line in three of his past five games and faces a Mavericks team on Tuesday that ranks 24th in points allowed and 23rd in rebounds allowed per game to power forwards. Both teams also rank in the top half of the league in pace and with such a close spread and the highest point total on the slate (245.5 points at ESPN BET), Siakam should have an opportunity to shine.
Jimmy Butler over 33.5 points, rebounds, and assists.
“Jimmy Buckets” is finally breaking out for the Heat. Butler has surpassed 33.5 points, rebounds, and assists in four of his past five games since the All-Star break. And while the Heat are double-digit favorites against the Pistons on Tuesday, this line is still low enough for Butler to exceed it.
Paolo Banchero over 20.5 points.
Banchero has cleared this line in 58% of his games this season with an impressive 29.6% usage rate. While both the Magic and Hornets playing at a slower pace, Orlando’s offense centers around Banchero, who has surpassed 20.5 points in three of his past five games and in his past four games against the Hornets dating back to last season.
Jarrett Allen under 31.5 points, rebounds and assists.
With a projected total of 216.5 points at ESPN BET, the Celtics and Cavaliers should be in for a defensive-oriented affair on Tuesday night. Allen has gone under 31.5 points, rebounds and assists in four of his past five games and six straight games against the Celtics, including two this season. Boston has been great at limiting opposing centers, ranking third in points allowed per 100 possessions.
Clint Capela over 9.5 points and assists.
The Knicks are only 2.5-point favorites over the Hawks, suggesting a competitive game. With Onyeka Okongwu and Trae Young ruled out, Capela should have an opportunity to produce for Atlanta. He has surpassed 9.5 points and assists in 17 of his past 20 games when he played 25 or more minutes, and he is expected to see plenty of minutes tonight in Madison Square Garden.
Jonas Valanciunas over 1.5 assists.
Both the Pelicans and Raptors are middle-of-the-road teams in regard to pace. Toronto ranks 21st in points allowed per 100 possessions and 24th in assists allowed per game. Valanciunas has cleared 1.5 assists in 62% of his games this season, including his last game against the Raptors on Feb. 5. With Scottie Barnes, Bruce Brown, and Jakob Poeltl ruled out for Toronto, Valanciunas should shine as a facilitator.
Odds provided by ESPN BET. Basketball Power Index by ESPN Analytics. Injury aggregation by Rotowire.com.
Orlando Magic at Charlotte Hornets
7 p.m. ET, Spectrum Center, Charlotte, N.C.
Records (Against the Spread)
Magic: 35-26 (39-22-0)
Hornets: 15-46 (25-36-0)
Line: Magic (-8.5) Total: 207.5
Money Line: Magic (-380), Hornets (+300)
BPI Projection: Magic by 10.5, straight up 82%, 226.7 total points.
Injury Report:
Magic: Markelle Fultz, (GTD – Knee)
Hornets: Nick Richards, (GTD – Foot); LaMelo Ball, (OUT – Ankle); Mark Williams, (OUT – Back); Cody Martin, (OUT – Ankle); Seth Curry, (OUT – Ankle)
Boston Celtics at Cleveland Cavaliers
7:30 p.m. ET, Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, Cleveland
Records (Against the Spread)
Celtics: 48-12 (31-26-3)
Cavaliers: 39-21 (29-30-1)
Line: Celtics (-8.5) Total: 215.5
Money Line: Celtics (-350), Cavaliers (+280)
BPI Projection: Celtics by 6.5, straight up 73%, 222.5 total points.
Injury Report:
Celtics: Jaylen Brown, (GTD – Knee); Kristaps Porzingis, (GTD – Quadriceps); Neemias Queta, (OUT – Knee)
Cavaliers: Caris LeVert, (GTD – Elbow); Isaac Okoro, (GTD – Elbow); Max Strus, (OUT – Knee); Donovan Mitchell, (OUT – Knee); Tristan Thompson, (OUT – Suspension); Ty Jerome, (OUT – Ankle)
Philadelphia 76ers at Brooklyn Nets
7:30 p.m. ET, Barclays Center, New York
Records (Against the Spread)
76ers: 35-25 (33-27-0)
Nets: 24-37 (27-31-3)
Line: 76ers (-2.5) Total: 216.5
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Money Line: 76ers (-140), Nets (+120)
BPI Projection: 76ers by 2.2, straight up 58%, 221.3 total points.
Injury Report:
76ers: Cameron Payne, (GTD – Illness); De’Anthony Melton, (OUT – Back); Robert Covington, (OUT – Knee); Joel Embiid, (OUT – Knee)
Nets: Ben Simmons, (GTD – Back); Cam Thomas, (GTD – Ankle); Day’Ron Sharpe, (GTD – Wrist); Dariq Whitehead, (OUT – Lower Leg)
Detroit Pistons at Miami Heat
7:30 p.m. ET, Kaseya Center, Miami
Records (Against the Spread)
Pistons: 9-51 (29-30-1)
Heat: 34-26 (30-29-1)
Line: Heat (-11.5) Total: 216.5
Money Line: Pistons (+480), Heat (-650)
BPI Projection: Heat by 9.2, straight up 80%, 221.4 total points.
Injury Report:
Pistons: Quentin Grimes, (GTD – Knee)
Heat: Josh Richardson, (OUT – Shoulder); Kevin Love, (OUT – Heel); Tyler Herro, (OUT – Knee); Dru Smith, (OUT – Knee)
Atlanta Hawks at New York Knicks
7:30 p.m. ET, Madison Square Garden, New York
Records (Against the Spread)
Hawks: 26-34 (19-41-0)
Knicks: 36-25 (32-28-1)
Line: Knicks (-2.5) Total: 216.5
Money Line: Hawks (+125), Knicks (-150)
BPI Projection: Knicks by 5.4, straight up 68%, 235.0 total points.
Injury Report:
Hawks: Kobe Bufkin, (GTD – Toe); Seth Lundy, (GTD – Back); Onyeka Okongwu, (OUT – Toe); Trae Young, (OUT – Finger)
Knicks: Jalen Brunson, (GTD – Knee); Julius Randle, (OUT – Shoulder); OG Anunoby, (OUT – Elbow); Mitchell Robinson, (OUT – Ankle)
New Orleans Pelicans at Toronto Raptors
7:30 p.m. ET, Scotiabank Arena, Toronto
Records (Against the Spread)
Pelicans: 36-25 (32-28-1)
Raptors: 23-38 (29-32-0)
Line: Pelicans (-9.5) Total: 228.5
Money Line: Pelicans (-440), Raptors (+350)
BPI Projection: Pelicans by 7.5, straight up 75%, 231.7 total points.
Injury Report:
Pelicans: Dyson Daniels, (OUT – Knee)
Raptors: Bruce Brown, (OUT – Knee); Jakob Poeltl, (OUT – Finger); Scottie Barnes, (OUT – Hand)
San Antonio Spurs at Houston Rockets
8 p.m. ET, Toyota Center, Houston
Records (Against the Spread)
Spurs: 13-48 (29-31-1)
Rockets: 26-34 (30-28-2)
Line: Rockets (-7.5) Total: 228.5
Money Line: Spurs (+245), Rockets (-300)
BPI Projection: Rockets by 6.4, straight up 71%, 227.1 total points.
Injury Report:
Spurs: Julian Champagnie, (GTD – Ankle); Victor Wembanyama, (GTD – Shoulder); Charles Bassey, (OUT – Knee)
Rockets: Tari Eason, (OUT – Lower Leg); Steven Adams, (OUT – Knee)
Indiana Pacers at Dallas Mavericks
8:30 p.m. ET, American Airlines Center, Dallas
Records (Against the Spread)
Pacers: 34-28 (32-28-2)
Mavericks: 34-27 (33-28-0)
Line: Mavericks (-4.5) Total: 245.5
Money Line: Pacers (+150), Mavericks (-175)
BPI Projection: Mavericks by 3.2, straight up 61%, 241.0 total points.
Injury Report:
Pacers: Aaron Nesmith, (GTD – Quadriceps); Ben Sheppard, (GTD – Illness); Doug McDermott, (OUT – Calf)
Mavericks: Derrick Jones Jr., (GTD – Shoulder); Luka Doncic, (GTD – Ankle); Maxi Kleber, (GTD – Knee)
Phoenix Suns at Denver Nuggets
10 p.m. ET, Ball Arena, Denver
Records (Against the Spread)
Suns: 35-26 (25-35-1)
Nuggets: 42-19 (27-32-2)
Line: Nuggets (-9.5) Total: 223.5
Money Line: Suns (+355), Nuggets (-460)
BPI Projection: Nuggets by 6.5, straight up 73%, 225.9 total points.
Injury Report:
Suns: Jusuf Nurkic, (GTD – Calf); Josh Okogie, (OUT – Abdomen); Nassir Little, (OUT – Knee); Devin Booker, (OUT – Ankle); Damion Lee, (OUT – Knee)
Nuggets: Vlatko Cancar, (OUT – Knee)