It is New Years Day, and there are eight video games on the NBA Slate at this time. Starting at 3:00 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. ET, there are a number of key matchups. This afternoon, former Raptors star OG Anunoby is predicted to make his debut with the New York Knicks. Whereas the Detroit Pistons broke their 28 recreation shedding streak, can they win two in a row in opposition to a depleted Rockets workforce? With the road set at 260.5 for totals, will the Pacers and the Bucks give us the offensive showdown we have all been ready for? Right here you will see the NBA betting odds, stats, developments, participant prop bets, and predictions for Monday, Jan. 1.
🏀NBA New Years Day Slate!
Timberwolves (-1) @ Knicks
Cavaliers @ Raptors (-2.5)
Pacers @ Bucks (-8.5)
Pistons @ Rockets (-9)
Hornets @ Nuggets (-15)
Path Blazers @ Suns (-11.5)
Mavericks (-4) @ Jazz
Warmth @ Clippers (-7.5)(by way of @nba)#NBATwitter pic.twitter.com/tkx8E0UpJx
— Ballislife Bets (@BallislifeBets) January 1, 2024
*Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook
Timberwolves (-1) (-115) @ Knicks (-105): O/U 223.5
Cavaliers (+120) @ Raptors (-2.5) (-142): O/U 227.5
Pacers (+270) @ Bucks (-8.5) (-340): O/U 260.5
Pistons (+310) @ Rockets (-9) (-395): O/U 227.5
Hornets (+800) @ Nuggets (-15) (-1350): O/U 226
Path Blazers (+455) @ Suns (-11.5) (-625): O/U 229.5
Mavericks (-4.5) (-180) @ Jazz (+150): O/U 245.5
Warmth (+235) @ Clippers (-7.5) (-290): O/U 227.5
Sara Janes Favourite Bets
NBA Wager #1: Cade Cunningham O .5 Steals (-230) .6u
Season Stats PPG: 23.5 | FG: 44.9 % | 3 PT: 34.6 % | FT: 87.6 % | REB: 4.1 | AST: 7.4 | STL: 1.1 | BLK: 0.3
“I’m blissful to be round a bunch of men that don’t give up.” pic.twitter.com/ajOp9pznVx
— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) December 31, 2023
It is 2024, and sure, the Detroit Pistons are coming off simply their third win of the season. Cade Cunningham has been the glue to this workforce, no matter their 28 recreation shedding streak this 12 months. Now in his third season within the NBA, Cunningham is averaging simply over 1 steal a recreation and 23.5 factors per recreation. The previous No. 1 total choose is thought for his offensive capability, nonetheless, Cunningham is an attentive defender.
For those who’re betting on the NBA, it is a prop that has a success charge of 66 % this season. With 5 steals in two video games, Cunningham hit over .5 steals in eight of the final ten video games. Moreover, he has at the least one steal in 4 of the final 5 matchups.
On the street, the Pistons level guard has been getting steals, racking up three in opposition to the Celtics and the Hawks. Having a least one steal in 4 of 5 away video games, that brings my confidence degree up.
I additionally like this prop as a result of Cunningham is a staple within the Pistons lineup. Whereas head coach Monty Williams has maneuvered the beginning 5 with Jayden Ivey, Cunningham is the engine of this workforce, and a participant that averages a career-high 35.2 minutes per recreation. The truth is, he is coming off 38 minutes of taking part in time in opposition to Toronto, and 43 minutes in opposition to Boston. Averaging 35.5 minutes within the month of December, I am pretty assured there’s sufficient taking part in time for one steal.
Tonight, the Pistons get the Houston Rockets, who’re recognized for his or her defensive prowess. With a number of gamers on the harm report, issues would possibly get a tad simpler for Cunningham and the Pistons. Though the Rockets rank tenth in turnovers per recreation (13.3), they’ve just lately allowed Tyrese Haliburton, CJ McCollum, Trae Younger, and Damian Lillard to have at the least one steal since Dec. 17. Houston’s a workforce that permits 6.9 opponent steals per recreation, whereas the Pistons rank final within the NBA in whole steals.
Of their first matchup of the season, Cunningham has a median of two steals in two profession video games in opposition to the Rockets. With 4 steals in his first two matchups, the Pistons star final matched up with this workforce in 2021. With Dillon Brooks out of the lineup, he’ll most probably be matched up with Fred VanVleet, and Jalen Inexperienced. General, VanVleet averaged 1.8 turnovers per recreation, and Inexperienced, 2.3. At 6 foot 6, Cunningham has a barely larger body for his place, and his stable size has been a contributing issue his complete profession.
His latest play, and his management speaks volumes for this Detroit workforce. Whereas I really like him to attain 20+ factors, I just like the steals prop even higher. During the last ten video games, No. 2 is averaging 1.3 steals in 35.7 minutes.
NBA Wager #2: Giannis Antetokounmpo Double-Double (-450) 1.1u
Season Stats PPG: 30.9 | FG: 60.8 % | 3 PT: 21.6 % | FT: 67.4 % | REB: 11.1 | AST: 5.5 | STL: 1.3 | BLK: 1.2
Giannis scored a franchise-record 64 factors in a 140-126 win over the Pacers on December thirteenth, 2023.
⏪: @betwayusa pic.twitter.com/b9AxUTJRmy
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) January 1, 2024
We merely can’t overlook the profession evening Giannis Antetokounmpo had final matchup in opposition to the Indiana Pacers. Setting a profession excessive and Bucks file with 64 factors, Antetokounmpo is placing up profession numbers as soon as once more. Averaging 30.9 factors per recreation, the Greek Freak can also be dishing 5.5 assists, and grabbing 11.1 rebounds per recreation. Along with 64 factors final matchup in opposition to Indiana, he had a complete of 14 rebounds in 37 minutes.
For those who’re betting on the NBA, Giannis ranks third in whole utilization share (32.5 %), and fifth in participant impression estimate (19.1). With 23 whole double doubles this season, three have come in opposition to the Pacers. sixth within the league in rebounds, and 4th in factors, No. 34 is placing up a median of 51.7 factors and 12 rebounds in three conferences with Indiana.
Tonight, the Bucks get the Pacers at house, the place Antetokounmpo is averaging a double double. In 18 house video games, the ahead is placing up 30.8 factors, 5.5 assists, and 11.2 rebounds per recreation. Averaging 38 minutes in opposition to Indiana this season, the Bucks star is taking part in round 34.8 minutes per recreation, which is stable.
Giannis has hit a double double in over 50 % of video games this season, and in three straight video games. Coming off a 34 level, 16 rebound efficiency in opposition to the Cavaliers, Antetokounmpo has at the least a double-double in 9 of the final eleven recreation, and 4 of the final 5. Actually, one of the crucial dominant, athletic gamers within the league, it’s totally arduous to cease and guard Giannis.
I like this prop for 3 causes tonight: Antetokounmpo has a superb monitor file in opposition to Indiana, he is a double-double machine, and the Pacers are environment friendly on the defensive finish. Ranked twenty ninth, the Pacers enable 124.8 factors per recreation, and are twenty fourth in offensive rebounds (11.3). One of many worst rebounding groups within the league (40 rebounds per recreation), Milwaukee ranks inside the high ten.
Giannis vs the Pacers this season :
51.7 PPG
12.0 RPG
72.2% FG
81.0% FTPredict his tonight’s statline : pic.twitter.com/8d38W4sS8p
— Bucks Muse (@BucksMuse) January 1, 2024
Tonight, he’ll get a matchup with Jalen Smith and Myles Turner. Notching one other double-double in opposition to Cleveland, he is utterly dominated the Pacers, who have not had a solution for him. Whereas the matchup is prime for Giannis, he is averaged 4 straight double-doubles in opposition to Indiana, and has 9 in his final ten video games. Moreover, the Greek Freak hasn’t had a recreation efficiency under 25 factors in opposition to the Pacers since 2021.
Do I believe Antetokounmpo goes to repeat his 64 level efficiency? No. Nevertheless, his domination and chance of a double-double may be very seemingly based mostly off his latest play and former matchup stats.
NBA Wager #3: Pacers vs. Bucks O 253.5 Whole Factors (-215) .6u
As soon as once more, the Indiana Pacers (17-14) and the Milwaukee Bucks (24-8) recreation whole is about at a excessive 260.5 factors. Not but a rivalry, these groups will matchup for the third time this season. Whereas the overall for this recreation is extraordinarily excessive, I moved it down barely to 253.5 whole factors.
With the Bucks favored by an 8.5 level unfold, they’re 7-3 of their final ten matchups in opposition to the Indiana Pacers. Courting again to the In-Season event, Indiana holds a season collection 2-1 lead, during which two video games hit over whole factors. Within the final three matchups the totals tallied at 266, 247, and 250 factors. That is a median of 254 factors per recreation, and that is the place I got here up with 253.5 whole factors.
For what it is price, I can not see this recreation being a low scoring affair. Two contending groups within the East, the Pacers and Bucks lead the league in offensive ranking, factors scored, and Indiana is an especially excessive paced workforce. Whereas each squads common a mixed 251 factors per recreation, the Bucks rank 4th in tempo as nicely. When it comes to three-point share, either side are within the high 4, with Milwaukee taking pictures 38.4, and Indiana taking pictures 39 % from past the arc. As well as, the Pacers lead the NBA in discipline aim share (50.9), and each are high groups when it comes to three level makes an attempt.
Giannis and Haliburton had heated trade following Bucks-Pacers 😳
It concerned Pacers taking recreation ball away after Giannis’ 64-point recreation pic.twitter.com/zsSGraLQVi
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 14, 2023
For those who’re betting on the NBA, you could be questioning why I selected to take an especially excessive recreation whole. Positive, these groups are unbelievable offensively, nonetheless they lack on the defensive finish. Each Milwaukee and Indiana rank in direction of the underside of the NBA, permitting a mixed 243.7 opponent factors per recreation.
General, each the Bucks and Pacers have unbelievable information in opposition to totals this season. For the Bucks, they’re 21-11-0, and the Pacers, 21-10-0 in opposition to totals. Coming off a 140-126 victory, the Pacers went over totals, whereas the Bucks are 6-4 within the final ten (totals).
I do imagine there’ll nonetheless be a chip on Tyrese Haliburto’s shoulder after he dropped a profession excessive 23 assists in entrance of Sportscaster and former NBA participant Wally Szczerbiak. His passing is exclusive, and his type of offense is elite. During the last ten video games, the Pacers are scoring 123 factors, and the Bucks, 130. Szczerbiak caught a stare down from Haliburton final evening, after calling him a “wannabe All-Star.”
I beforehand mentioned my prop choose for Giannis Antetokounmpo to have a double-double, and I am selecting Haliburton to as nicely.
We merely cannot bear in mind when the Pacers determined to provide the sport ball to rookie Oscar Tshiebwe as a substitute of Giannis with the profession excessive. In an emotional collection of Tweets, it is evident that began a rift between the 2 groups.
After being eradicated within the Semifinals of the Event, down 2-1, that alone is an incentive for Milwaukee to convey their all on this New 12 months’s day matchup. The sport whole of 260 plus factors is now tied for the very best common season NBA whole within the historical past of FanDuel Sportsbook.
Different Bets I like:
Clippers ML(-285)
Cade Cunningham O 19.5 Factors (-400)
Tyler Herro O 22.5 Factors
Tyrese Haliburton double-double
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Sara Jane Gamelli is a full-time Sportswriter at Ballislife, and Sports activities Content material Creator on Twitch and TikTok. She has a concentrate on the NBA, WNBA, NCAA Basketball, and the NFL. Sara Jane presently resides in Connecticut/NYC space together with her Cat and Canine. SJ has her undergraduate diploma from the College of Connecticut in Economics, with a minor in enterprise administration.
