NBA Best Bets Today: Predictions for Knicks-Pacers, Derrick White and Harrison Barnes
By Peter Dewey
I’ll be the first one to admit that last night’s NBA Best Bets did not go well, but it’s not going to stop me from turning the page on Tuesday.
The Sacramento Kings and Los Angeles Lakers are set to play a track meet in L.A., and I have a player prop that I think we’re getting some value on in that matchup.
Plus, can the New York Knicks rebound after two dreadful losses without Julius Randle?
All that and another prop pick (cause why not?) for tonight’s slate in the NBA:
All odds courtesy of WynnBET Sportsbook.
NBA Best Bets Record to Date
- NBA Best Bets Record: 75-83-2
NBA Best Bets Today
- Harrison Barnes OVER 13.5 Points (-125)
- Indiana Pacers vs. New York Knicks: Pacers Moneyline (+125)
- Derrick White OVER 8 Assists (-105)
Harrison Barnes OVER 13.5 Points (-125)
The Los Angeles Lakers and Sacramento Kings are expected to play a high-scoring affair (total at 230.5 at WynnBET) on Tuesday night.
That has me intrigued with Harrison Barnes’ points prop, which is set at just 13.5 despite the fact that he is averaging 16.8 points per game this season.
Barnes has failed to clear this number in three of his last five games, which may have dropped his prop number. Prior to that stretch, Barnes had put up five straight games with over 13.5 points.
The Lakers and Kings both play a top 10 pace this season, so I expect plenty of possessions and shots on both sides.
Indiana Pacers vs. New York Knicks: Pacers Moneyline (+125)
The Knicks are dreadful at home this season, going 6-12 against the spread, and they have looked even worse in the two games with Julius Randle in the health and safety protocols.
Randle may return for the Knicks tonight, but even then can we really trust this team at home?
Julius Randle has been cleared from health and safety protocols. He will be listed as questionable (return to play reconditioning) for tonight’s game.
— NY_KnicksPR (@NY_KnicksPR) January 4, 2022
They’ve lost back-to-back games by 15 points to the Oklahoma City Thunder and Toronto Raptors and look nothing like a playoff team at the moment.
Even without Caris LeVert and Malcolm Brogdon, the Pacers gave the Cleveland Cavaliers a fight their last time out, losing by just four. New York has already lost two games to the Pacers this season by double-digits, and I think it is overvalued in this line.
No Derrick Rose and no Kemba Walker further hurts the Knicks, and I think the Pacers win this one outright at Madison Square Garden.
Derrick White OVER 8 Assists (-105)
Dejounte Murray won’t play for the San Antonio Spurs against the Toronto Raptors, which leaves Derrick White as the team’s top guard once again.
White has been solid with Murray out, posting assist totals of 10, eight, nine and 14 over his last four games. Toronto comes into this game 17th in the NBA in opponent assists allowed per game.
I like White to build on his 14-assist game the last time out and taking the over on this number at eight without the hook is a decent value at -105 odds.