Top NBA Odds, Picks & Predictions: Tuesday (12/26)
We had a fun five-game slate for Christmas yesterday.
Now we’ve got a nine-game slate from all of the teams that didn’t play yesterday. It’s a slate with many of the lower-caliber teams. However, tonight’s NBA card still has plenty of value on the board.
Here are a couple of bets to consider for tonight’s action.
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Tuesday’s Best NBA Bets
Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook | All wagers are for 1 unit
Indiana Pacers vs. Houston Rockets
The Pacers-Rockets matchup is a sneaky one.
Indiana ranks first in the NBA in points per 100 possessions, holding the league’s highest effective field goal percentage of 58.5%.
Meanwhile, the Rockets are second in the NBA in points per 100 possessions defensively and have allowed the second-lowest effective field goal percentage of 50.5% on defense.
The Pacers on offense are the equivalent to the Rockets on defense.
The difference is Indiana’s defense. The Pacers have allowed 123.3 points per 100 possessions and have given up a 57.5% effective field goal percentage. The Pacers have also allowed a 25.7 free throw rate, which is the worst in the NBA.
Meanwhile, the Rockets have a top-ten free throw rate and will likely have more success on the offensive glass, knowing the Pacers have allowed nearly 31% of offensive rebounds this year.
I’ll take the Rockets at -3.5.
Bet: Rockets -3.5 (-110)
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
The Timberwolves have listed Karl-Anthony Towns as a game-time decision. Meanwhile, the Thunder have added Jalen Williams and Josh Giddey to the questionable list.
Still, the Thunder should be solid defensively in this game. Oklahoma City has held teams to 111.7 points per 100 possessions and has earned 16.4% of turnovers per game this season. The turnover percentage is the best defensive rate in the NBA this season.
The Timberwolves will find their way to the foul line. They’ll also be dominant on the offensive glass, with the Thunder allowing 31.9% of offensive rebounds. However, the Timberwolves could struggle to find open looks, with the Thunder allowing only a 52.2% effective field goal percentage.
On the other hand, the Timberwolves are the best defense in the NBA, holding opponents to 107.7 points per 100 possessions and a 50.2% effective field goal percentage. The Thunder won’t add more offensive rebounds but should at least limit turnovers.
Oklahoma City has also shot a 56.5% effective field goal percentage and has added 119.4 points per 100 possessions.
Still, we’re talking about two of the best defenses that have allowed no more than 112 points per 100 possessions. Therefore, I’ll take the Under 227.5.
In the first matchup, the Timberwolves escaped the Thunder 106-103 and scored a total of 209 points.
Bet: Under 227.5 (-110)
Make sure to check out our other best bets for Tuesday:
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- Thor Nystrom’s Best College Football Bowl Game Bets (Tuesday)
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- Top NBA Odds, Picks & Predictions
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