NBA Best Bets Today (Predictions for Brandon Ingram, Bobby Portis, Lakers-Clippers and Nuggets-Pacers)

One day away from the NBA is one too many, even if Adam Silver’s plan was to encourage people to go out and vote (I hope you all did) on Tuesday. 

We’re back to the grind of the 2022-23 season on Wednesday with 13 NBA games in action, including a couple of cross-town rivalry matchups between the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers and the Brooklyn Nets and New York Knicks. 

The beauty of the NBA Best Bets column is I’ll do all the work for you, diving into each game to find a few of my favorite wagers for the night so you don’t have to comb through 13 games right before tip off. 

The best part? We’re on fire this season, going 38-26-1 through the first three weeks. So, where am I taking you tonight? 

Four plays across four games with a couple player props mixed in. Let’s ride: 

NBA Best Bets Record to Date

• NBA Best Bets Record for 2022-23 Season: 38-26-1 (+7.5694 units)

NBA Best Bets Today

• Denver Nuggets -5 (-120) vs. Indiana Pacers
• Los Angeles Clippers First Quarter Moneyline (-125) vs. Los Angeles Lakers 
• Brandon Ingram OVER 23.5 Points (-120)
• Bobby Portis UNDER 37.5 Points, Rebounds and Assists (-110)

Denver Nuggets -5 (-120) vs. Indiana Pacers

I’m selling high on the Indiana Pacers here, even though they pulled off upsets against the New Orleans Pelicans and Miami Heat in their last two games. 

Yes, Indiana ranks seventh in the NBA in offensive rating, but the team is also 26th in defensive rating so far this season. Now, the Pacers get a Denver team that leads the league in 3-point percentage while playing as the No. 5 offense. 

The Nuggets haven’t even reached their ceiling yet this season with Jamal Murray working his way back from injury, so five points is certainly doable for a Denver team that has won seven of 10 games (all by five points or more). 

Los Angeles Clippers First Quarter Moneyline (-125) vs. Los Angeles Lakers 

This is a pretty simple pick for me, as the Lakers rank 29th in the NBA in offensive rating in the first quarter while the Clippers are No. 2 in defensive rating in first quarters this season. 

The Clips really haven’t been great on offense in the first (24th in ORTG), but they have way more shooting than this Lakers team that is dead last in 3-point percentage. 

I’ll back the Clippers early on Wednesday. 

Brandon Ingram OVER 23.5 Points (-120)

Brandon Ingram has played three games since returning from a concussion, scoring 26, 16 and 29 points in those matchups. 

Ingram is taking a ton of shots this season, averaging 17.0 field goal attempts per game, and taking at least 16 shots in every game that he hasn't been injured in. 

He’s one of the more complete scorers in the NBA, and Ingram should have a substantial role against a bulls team that lacks inside rim protection, even if Andre Drummond is healthy. 

After taking 24 shots in the team's loss to the Indiana Pacers last time out, Ingram should clear this lower prop number on Wednesday. 

Bobby Portis UNDER 37.5 Points, Rebounds and Assists (-110)

Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee) is out tonight against the Oklahoma City Thunder, so sportsbooks have adjusted Bobby Portis’ lines for tonight’s games since he will get the start. 

Even with Bobby P getting the start, this line is insane for the Milwaukee Bucks forward. In his lone game without Giannis this season, Portis had 12 points, 21 rebounds and two assists, falling short of 37.5 PRA. 

So far in the 2022-23 campaign, Portis is playing 25.5 minutes per game while averaging 13.1 points, 11.1 rebounds and 2.0 assists per night. To realize how crazy this line is, consider this:

Bobby Portis has a higher PRA prop than Zion Williamson, Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Davis tonight. 

Even with a good game, Bobby P could go UNDER this number. Fade him all day at 37.5.

Find Peter Dewey’s full betting record here.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.