Technically, opening night is in the books. The Celtics beat the 76ers. The Warriors beat the Lakers. But is the season actually “open” when 26 groups have but to play? Wednesday is the true opening night, the one in which the vast majority of NBA groups play their first video games and we have our first conventional, cramped slate of the season.
You know what which means. With a full schedule on our palms, there are revenue alternatives galore. While we cannot cowl each single sport, we’ll soar round and hit on 5 of my favourite bets on Wednesday night’s schedule.
All traces through Caesar’s Sportsbook
Latest Odds:
New Orleans Pelicans
+3
Keep an eye fixed out for Zion Williamson props. The books have been gradual getting these up to this point, and they might be my choice right here, however in any case, the logic applies to the unfold as effectively. Williamson is maybe the NBA’s best inside scorer. Brooklyn has maybe the worst inside protection in the NBA, and that’s going to be amplified with the absence of Seth Curry and Joe Harris. While neither of them would supply any resistance to Williamson, having them would at the very least enable for barely extra snug utilization of conventional huge males subsequent to Ben Simmons. Without them, Brooklyn will be compelled to sacrifice both house or rim-protection. Either bodes effectively for New Orleans. The choose: Pelicans +3
Latest Odds:
Indiana Pacers
+2
We have to separate what we expect Indiana will be in March with what it’s proper now. Eventually, we assume the Pacers will commerce their veterans and tank. Vegas has leaned into that by giving the Pacers the Eastern Conference’s lowest projected win whole. Right now, Myles Turner and Buddy Hield are nonetheless right here. Tyrese Haliburton is wholesome and superior. Rick Carlisle is among the NBA’s best coaches. There simply is not a good motive for the Wizards to be street favorites over anyone proper now. If you need to guess in opposition to the Pacers, achieve this in season-long codecs. Right now? These are two uninspiring however removed from horrific groups. One of them is at house and getting factors. The choose: Pacers +2
This line is barely deflated as a result of Karl-Anthony Towns put up lackluster stats in opposition to Oklahoma City final season. In 4 video games, he by no means topped 20 factors, however the Timberwolves received three of these video games by 30 or extra factors. This sport figures to be a bit extra aggressive, and whether it is, Towns will get to play his typical minutes in opposition to … Jeremiah Robinson-Earl? Darius Bazley? Aleksej Pokusevski? The Thunder have no confirmed huge defenders wherever on this roster. Towns is among the many NBA’s best huge scorers. He ought to have a subject day. The choose: Towns over 22.5 factors
Latest Odds:
Over 226
I’m a bit perplexed by this line. The Lakers and Warriors opened the season Tuesday, and their over/underneath line acquired as excessive as 227 earlier than falling in the buildup to tip. The Warriors had been the NBA’s No. 2 protection final season. The Lakers had been No. 1 the season earlier than that. The Kings and Blazers are anticipated to attain much less, however they ranked twenty seventh and twenty ninth in protection final season, respectively. Before you counsel Portland’s rating final season must be disregarded as a result of the Blazers had been tanking, they ranked twenty ninth in 2021 as effectively once they made the playoffs. Both of those defenses stay fairly dangerous. This line is a few factors too low. The choose: Over 226
I’m keeping track of Tre Jones props because the early season progresses. Vegas remains to be adjusting to him being San Antonio’s solely level guard, and whereas the purpose and help props are too excessive for my style, I like the thought of Jones making at the very least a single 3-pointer. While he is shot badly as a skilled, he was roughly a 36 % 3-point shooter in his closing Duke season on practically 4 makes an attempt per sport. As a major ball-handler for San Antonio, he will have to fireplace away, and the Hornets aren’t adequate defensively to cease him. The choose: Jones over 0.5 made 3-pointers
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