NBA Best Bets Today (Predictions, Prop Bets for Pacers vs. Kings, Scottie Barnes)

On By Littum

The NBA is approaching its holiday season – Christmas – but first we’ve got a short slate on Sunday, December 22, featuring Nikola Jokic, De’Aaron Fox, Scottie Barnes, Tyrese Haliburton and a few other stars in action.

Several teams – the Sacramento Kings and New Orleans Pelicans – play the second night of a back-to-back on Sunday, so how does that affect our picks for tonight’s action?

I have two plays that I’m looking at, including a potential upset pick in the Indiana Pacers-Kings game.

Find Peter Dewey’s NBA betting record here (futures included). You can also follow my daily plays BetStamp here.

Indiana Pacers +2 (-110) vs. Sacramento Kings – 0.5 unit

I don’t know how anyone can get behind the Kings right now as they have gone 6-10 straight up at home and just 4-8-1 ATS as a home favorite.

While the Pacers have been bad on the road (5-11 straight up), they are 4-5 ATS as road underdogs.

This is a tough turnaround for the Kings, who have struggled on the second night of back-to-backs, going 2-4 ATS.

Not only that, but the Kings’ clutch record is extremely concerning as this spread is only at two points.

I can’t trust Sacramento in a close game, and the Pacers have been playing well lately, ranking sixth in the NBA in net rating over their last five games.

I take the points in this one.

Scottie Barnes OVER 1.5 3-Pointers Made (-140) – 0.5 unit

He may not be known for his shooting, but All-Star Scottie Barnes may be underrated in the 3-point prop market on Sunday.

Barnes has been in and out of the lineup with injuries this season, but he recently had a hot stretch from beyond the arc — despite shooting just 31.1 percent from 3 on the season.

Over his last 11 games, Barnes has made at least two shots from beyond the arc in 10 of them and shot 32.9 percent from 3 over that stretch. Barnes has also attempted at least five shots from beyond the arc in all of those games.

Houston has defended the 3-ball well (second fewest 3s allowed per game), but Barnes is a solid bet in this prop if he continues to take 3s at this volume.

Odds are updated regularly and are subject to change.

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