NBA Selections, Best Bets for In-Season Tournament Quarterfinals: Why Celtics, Pelicans Hold Advantages on Monday
Navigating the quarterfinals of the In-Season Tournament poses a challenge for betting, especially without substantial historical context to rely on. These games carry heightened significance compared to regular-season matchups. With a league-wide off-day on Sunday and no other contests on Monday or Tuesday, players have engaged in four tournament games, potentially elevating the intensity akin to playoff-level competition.
However, the uncertainty prevails. Coaches might stick to conventional rotations, and decisions regarding injured players remain ambiguous, affecting gameplay strategies. Currently, considering these games as a midpoint between regular-season and playoff intensity is prudent. Any alterations in Monday’s games will necessitate adjustments for Tuesday. Below are our spread-based predictions for the initial knockout stage matchups.
Boston Celtics vs. Indiana Pacers Resist the temptation to bank on Tyrese Haliburton’s uncertain status for a more favorable line. Although the Pacers secured an upset win over the Heat sans Haliburton, their prior encounter with Boston, missing their star point guard, resulted in a 51-point loss. It’s an unfavorable matchup for the Pacers, irrespective of their roster’s completeness.
The Pacers allow the most shots at the rim among all teams, a substantial disparity separating them from the next team. While the Celtics don’t rely heavily on rim scoring, they are lethal once they penetrate, ranking fifth in restricted-area field goal percentage. Moreover, the combination of easy rim pressure and their sharpshooting makes defending the Celtics a complex task for the Pacers.
Conversely, Boston boasts two guards in Derrick White and Jrue Holiday, both excelling in defensive capabilities, to counter Haliburton. With no reliable secondary scorer after Myles Turner, the Pacers heavily rely on Haliburton for individual scoring and transition offense. Without him, Boston appears to be a favorable choice. The Pick: Celtics -5
New Orleans Pelicans vs. Sacramento Kings New Orleans holds the upper hand for two primary reasons. Firstly, their matchup against Sacramento’s key player, De’Aaron Fox, has consistently limited his performance. Fox has struggled against the Pelicans, averaging 20 points on 40% shooting in their encounters this season. Herb Jones’ defensive prowess has notably troubled Fox, causing hindrances despite Fox’s usual advantage against smaller defenders.
Secondly, the health factor plays a crucial role. The Pelicans, though currently dealing with injuries to Larry Nance Jr. and Matt Ryan, have a more intact roster for this game. With potential appearances from C.J. McCollum, Trey Murphy, and Jose Alvarado playing through an ankle injury, the Pelicans’ depth and improved health put them in a strong position against the Kings. The Pick: Pelicans +4
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