NBA Best Bets Today | Expert Picks for Monday’s In-Season Tournament Action

NBA Best Bets Today | Monday

[anchor name=”1″][/anchor]

[subheader sizedown=”false” text=”Pelicans vs. Kings”][/subheader]

[gameheader haspick=”true” picktext=”Jonas Valanciunas over 21.5 PR and Double Double” league=”nba” awaylogo=”https://images.actionnetwork.com/blog/2023/07/new-orleans-pelicans-logo-updated-2023.png” awayname=”New Orleans Pelicans” awayslug=”new-orleans-pelicans” homelogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/348219_kings.png” homename=”Sacramento Kings” homeslug=”sacramento-kings” date=”Monday, Dec. 4″ time=”10 p.m. ET” network=”TNT” bookname=”bet365″ bookprimarylogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/859377_Bet365@1x.png” bookreviewslug=”bet365″][/gameheader]

By Joe Dellera

The Kings and Pelicans face off in a matchup that we’ve seen a couple times over the last few weeks. One player that will continue to find success is Jonas Valanciunas.

Valanciunas’ size is needed to contend with Domantas Sabonis and there’s always a little added rivalry between these two who share the floor with the Lithuanian National Team.

Valanciunas is averaging 14.8 points and 11.6 rebounds in these five head-to-head matchups since Sabonis joined the Kings. He has exceeded his Points + Rebounds line of 21.5 in four of five games to go along with four double-doubles. I’ll be playing both of those props on Monday night.

Pick: Jonas Valanciunas over 21.5 PR and Double Double

Bet Pelicans vs. Kings player props in California using PrizePicks! This DFS app offers a perfect sportsbook alternative and comes with a 100% initial deposit match up to $100 when you use Action’s PrizePicks promo code!

[anchor name=”2″][/anchor]

[subheader sizedown=”false” text=”Celtics vs. Pacers”][/subheader]

[gameheader haspick=”true” picktext=”Celtics -5 (-110)” league=”nba” awaylogo=”https://images.actionnetwork.com/blog/2023/07/boston-celtics-logo-updated-2023.png” awayname=”Boston Celtics” awayslug=”boston-celtics” homelogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/nba/100/ind.png” homename=”Indiana Pacers” homeslug=”indiana-pacers” date=”Monday, Dec. 4″ time=”7:30 p.m. ET” network=”TNT” bookname=”FanDuel” bookprimarylogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/122955_FanDuelSportsBook@1x.jpg” bookreviewslug=”fanduel”][/gameheader]

By Bryan Fonseca

The Celtics dog walked Indiana earlier this season 155-104, but Tyrese Haliburton didn’t play. The two teams managed to combine for 259 points because no one on Boston could be stopped.

If we’re being honest, not much should change for Boston in terms of being able to score in this game, even though they’re not in Boston this time around.

Haliburton should pace the Pacers into better offensive production, even against one of the better defensive teams in the league in the Celtics, but I think even without Kristaps Porzingis, good luck stopping Boston.

Pick: Celtics -5 (-110)

[anchor name=”3″][/anchor]

[subheader sizedown=”false” text=”Celtics vs. Pacers”][/subheader]

[gameheader haspick=”true” picktext=”Celtics -4.5″ league=”nba” awaylogo=”https://images.actionnetwork.com/blog/2023/07/boston-celtics-logo-updated-2023.png” awayname=”Boston Celtics” awayslug=”boston-celtics” homelogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/nba/100/ind.png” homename=”Indiana Pacers” homeslug=”indiana-pacers” date=”Monday, Dec. 4″ time=”7:30 p.m. ET” network=”TNT” bookname=”BetMGM” bookprimarylogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/779359_BetMGM800x200@1x.png” bookreviewslug=”betmgm”][/gameheader]

By Joe Dellera

This is a mismatch. The Celtics backdoored their way into the Knockout round of the In-Season Tournament and now get to visit the Pacers. The Celtics are the best team in the league with the best schedule Adjusted Net Rating (+9.0)m the fourth-best offense and the best defense. The Pacers have been dynamic with their #1 Offense (119.1); however, they have the worst Defense (119.1), per Dunks and Threes. Everything they gain on offense they give right back on defense.

Boston is a juggernaut, and their defensive duo of Jrue Holiday and Derrick White are likely the toughest test Tyrese Haliburton will have to face this season. To make matters worse for Indiana, Haliburton is recovering from a respiratory illness and may not be 100% for this game.

Even though the Celtics are missing Kristaps Porzingis, they will have plenty of firepower for this game. They already dropped 155 points a month ago on the Pacers, and even though the Pacers did not have Haliburton in that matchup, the 155 points was an absolute beat down. I fully expect the Pacers to struggle to stop Boston’s offense in this matchup which will be one of the biggest games many of these young Pacers will have played thus far in their careers.

Pick: Celtics -4.5