Free NBA Betting Picks and Best Bets (1/8/24)

Happy Monday, RotoBallers! After a 10-game slate yesterday, we have a smaller six-game slate to start the week.

In my last article on Friday, I was able to bounce back and go 3-0 after going 0-3 on Wednesday. It was a nice reminder of the ebbs and flows of the long NBA season. I'm 6-3 on single-game picks to start 2024; let's keep it rolling.

In this article, I'll be providing my favorite picks against the spread, game totals, parlays, and teasers for the NBA slate that tips off at 7:00 PM EST on Monday, January 8. Follow me on Twitter/X, @Jwiesel13. 

NBA Betting Picks: Totals

Boston Celtics (-3.5) @ Indiana Pacers (244 total)

These two teams played Saturday night in Indiana, with the Celtics winning 118-101.

Boston got out to a 29-17 first quarter lead, and I'm betting on Indiana having a better start. I took the Pacers 1Q ML against the Hawks on Friday, and they easily won 38-24.

Against the Celtics, Indiana only scored 17 points in the first quarter. They shot 7/23 (30.4%) on field goal attempts and 1/10 from three. Even from the foul line, they only hit 2/5 attempts.

That is very uncharacteristic for a Pacers team that averages 31.5 points in the first quarter at home. Despite the poor showing Saturday, they are still shooting 50.6 percent on field goals and 39.4 percent on three-pointers.

Boston scored 29 points on 12/23 (52.2%) shooting and 5/12 (41.7%) from three. They are averaging 31.1 points in the first quarter on the road, which is more than they scored Saturday night. Boston is also shooting 50.1 percent on field goals and 37.1 percent on threes, which is lower than what they shot. There could be some slight regression in this game.

Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis got injured Saturday night and left the game. Porzingis is questionable for the game tonight and averages 5.7 points in the first quarter. Pacers center Myles Turner can take advantage if the big Latvian is out. Jayson Tatum is also questionable.

Boston is great on defense, but I'm rolling with the Pacers offense to get this done.

The Pick: Pacers First Quarter +1.5  (-112 DraftKings)

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NBA Betting Picks: ML and Spreads

 Chicago Bulls (-5.5) @ Charlotte Hornets (216.5 total)

This game is a rematch from Friday night, where the Bulls were able to win 104-91 in Chicago.

I like Chicago to repeat how they played, but I'm just going to take them in the first half.

On Friday night, the Bulls got a boost with Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic returning. Both are probable for tonight and should be on the court.

Chicago won the first half 47-41 in their last matchup and shot 50 percent on only 38 field goal attempts. They might not shoot that well again, but they should be able to get more shot attempts. Against a Hornets team that gives up nearly 58 points in the first half, the more shot attempts, the better.

The Bulls aren't anything special from three, but they shot 3/13 from three Friday night. For the season, they are averaging 6.1 three-pointers in the first half. Charlotte is giving up 6.6 three-pointers in the first half of games.

On defense, Chicago has the edge. The Bulls are giving up 55.3 points in the opening 24 minutes of games. That is good enough to be a top-six defense in the league. They are allowing the fewest field goal attempts in the first half. This makes it tough for a Hornets team that is only shooting 46.1 percent on field goal attempts in the first half. The Hornets are also shooting 33.3 percent on three-pointers, which isn't good. Chicago is vulnerable as a three-point defense, but I don't envision Charlotte shooting Chicago out of the half.

The pick: Bulls First Half -2.5 (-115 BetMGM)

NBA Betting Picks: Parlays and Teasers

Favorite ML Parlay: CHI + MIA + MIL (+165 FD)

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