Why the Pacers actually have a shot at covering vs. Celtics, plus other best bets for Wednesday

Greetings playing aficionados, it is Chris Bengel again with you on this Wednesday.

It is a unhappy day within the soccer world as Steelers legendary running back Franco Harris died at 72. His dying comes simply two days earlier than the fiftieth anniversary of Harris’ “Immaculate Reception” towards the Raiders again in 1972. Together with a celebration of that anniversary, the Steelers have been scheduled to retire Harris’ No. 32 throughout a halftime ceremony. It’s unclear if these plans might be altered within the wake of his dying. Relaxation in peace to one of many prime rushers that the game has ever seen.

Let’s leap into Wednesday’s picks.

All occasions Jap, and all odds through Caesars Sportsbook

🔥 The Sizzling Ticket

Pacers at Celtics, 7:30 p.m. | TV: NBA.TV

Newest Odds:

Indiana Pacers
+9.5

• Key Development: The Pacers are 5-2 ATS of their final seven video games towards a workforce with a profitable share over .600.
• The Choose: Pacers +10.0 (-110)

I do know what you are considering. Taking the 15-16 Pacers facet of the unfold towards one of many NBA’s greatest groups is madness. For those who take a more in-depth look, it is actually not loopy in any respect.

Sure, the Pacers’ document is not phenomenal by any stretch, however this can be a scrappy workforce that has thrived towards elite competitors. When dealing with a workforce that has a house profitable share above .600, the Pacers maintain a 4-1 document ATS. Indiana is definitely 5-2 ATS over its final seven video games once more groups that maintain a profitable share above .600. When dealing with a number of the Jap Convention’s prime groups, Pacers have stored the sport shut extra typically than they have not. They’ve misplaced to the Cavaliers by six factors, solely misplaced to the Nets by greater than 10 factors in one in every of their 4 matchups and misplaced to the Knicks by three factors.

It additionally would not damage that the Celtics have had their fair proportion of struggles currently, with losses in 4 of their previous 5 video games. Oh, and Boston owns a 0-4-1 document ATS over these final 5 video games. With double-double machine Tyrese Haliburton persevering with to mild up the stat sheet for the Pacers, I like them to maintain this one throughout the 10 factors.

💰 Extra NBA Picks

Magic at Rockets, 8 p.m. | TV: NBA.TV

Newest Odds:

Over 223.5

The Choose: Over 223.5 (-110) — These are two of the worst groups that the NBA has to supply — however there are not any requirements on the subject of cashing profitable tickets. In relation to scoring offenses, these are two of the bottom ones throughout the league. The Rockets common 109.5 points-per-game (twenty seventh within the NBA) whereas the Magic rank twenty eighth within the NBA with simply 109.4 points-per-game. 

Nonetheless, I am additionally not anticipating a lot protection to be performed on this contest. Each groups permit at the very least 113.3 points-per-game and rank within the backside half of the league by way of factors allowed. As well as, the Rockets are one of many worst groups on the subject of defending the three, as opponents shoot 36.7 % from long-range towards them. I count on this to be a observe meet of kinds with fairly a couple of threes being made.

Key Development: The over is 5-1-1 within the final seven conferences between the Magic and Rockets

Hornets at Clippers, 9 p.m. | TV: NBA TV
The Choose: LaMelo Ball Over 21.5 Factors (-129) — Since returning to the courtroom earlier this month from accidents, LaMelo Ball has been on hearth. In 4 video games again from an ankle harm, Ball has scored at the very least 23 factors in every contest. The previous No. 3 choose is at the moment capturing 46.7 % from past the arc this month, together with connecting on at the very least 5 threes in three of these video games. Ball has been extraordinarily environment friendly as he is shot round 50.0 % from the sector in every of these contests.

Whereas the Clippers are one of many league’s higher defensive groups, Ball isn’t afraid to hoist up a shot, so I believe he’ll simply clear the 22-point plateau that we’d like on this spot.

Key Development: Ball has scored at the very least 23 factors in every of his 4 video games since getting back from harm