If you like my articles for betting purposes or just enjoy the reading for information and maybe some would say ‘different’ takes, please give me a follow @TrustRocco on Twitter!
LA Lakers at Indiana +2 1/2 (O/U 240 1/2)
This will be a position play, where I like the points. Indiana losers of 9/10, head back home and finally land an ‘easier’ opponent. 8 of their last 9 games they have faced a current 1/2 seed in 5 of them. Playing Milwaukee twice, Memphis twice, Denver, and going on the road to Phoenix and OKC. All tough, physical teams! The Pacers are on 3 days rest and hopefully get back potential All-Star Tyrese Haliburton, which could be the boost they need!
Now the Lakers are playing their 4th game in 6 days, including 2 OT’s. They come off a game where they shot 52% from the field, I don’t see them duplicating that process tonight. In the previous 4 games they shot 39, 45, 44 and 44%, where that won’t be enough to beat a hungry Pacer team still in the playoff hunt!
Pacers +2 1/2 (Caesars -110) 0.75 unit
Charlotte at Chicago -6 (O/U 237)
I will be doubling up on this bet from 2 nights ago where we were unsuccessful. Heading into this past Tuesday night, the Hornets have found themselves behind at Halftime in each of the previous 7 games, with an average margin of -10 points. The Bucks were unable to shut them down defensively and finished tied at half, breaking the streak. Now the Bulls have started hot, but have been unable to finish games. Being ahead in each of their last 6 at half, with a margin of +9.8 points.
The last meeting between these two, Chicago shot 41% from the field and 16% from three. I don’t see Charlotte being able to shut them down again, the Bulls average 36.8% from three, and 48.9% from the field. The Hornets hit the glass hard averaging 12 offensive boards a game and that’s where the difference will be, 2nd chance points! The Bulls rank 6th, giving up 9.7 offensive boards a game. If this stat holds true, Chicago will have no trouble handling Charlotte tonight!
*Unit Upgrade*
1H: Bulls -3 (DraftKings -115) 1.25 units
LA Clippers at Milwaukee -4 (O/U 230 1/2)
These are two teams that haven’t played much defense of late. The Clippers come in playing 11 games in 16 days, including 2 back to backs and 8/9 on the road. 4 of their last 5 games have gone over, and now face a Buck team shooting over 50% from the field and averaging 17 three’s per game there last 5!
The numbers favor both sides here, with the Clippers sporting a 18-11 record to the over on the road and Milwaukee going over 13 of their last 17 at home. I think this game screams points, the Clippers have a deep bench and will need them to stay in this game tonight.
Over 230 1/2 (Caesars -110) 1 unit
