The NBA In-Season Tournament Quarterfinals games tip off tonight! Unfortunately, my picks on Friday did not do so well, but I look to bounce back tonight. There are only two games on the schedule tonight, but still picks to be made. Below are my NBA Picks for December 4, 2023!
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NBA Picks December 4, 2023
Boston Celtics vs. Indiana Pacers
Tipoff – 7:30 pm EST
Spread: Magic -5.5
Total: 242.5
The Boston Celtics and the Indiana Pacers will tip off the first game of the NBA In-Season Tournament Quarterfinal games. These two teams matched up on November 1st, and the Celtics smashed the Pacers 155-104. To be fair, the Pacers did not have their best player, Tyrese Haliburton, on the floor, and it was one of the worst shooting nights for the Pacers on the season. The Pacers went 5-37 (11.9%) from the three-point line.
Thus far this season, the Pacers are by far the best team towards the Over. The Pacers are 16-2 to the Over this season. The Pacers play with one speed, and that is FAST. Not only are the Pacers the fastest pace team in the NBA, but they are also the #1 offensive-rated team in the association. However, on the flip side, the Pacers are one of the worst defensive-rated teams.
I expect the Celtics to have an easy team finding baskets in this game. Given the pace of play and the Celtics being the 2nd best offensive efficient team, the Celtics have found plenty of success against defenses that rank in the bottom fourth of the league. Lastly, the Pacers are allowing 125.9 points per game and have given up 124+ points in five out of their seven games.
Best Bet: Celtics TT Over 124.5
New Orleans Pelicans vs. Sacramento Kings
Tipoff – 10:00 pm EST
Spread: Kings -3.5
Total: 237
The New Orleans Pelicans will travel to Sacramento to take on the Kings in the 2nd game of the quarterfinals. These two teams matched up in New Orleans, and the Pelicans won both games AND covered the spread in those matchups. One thing we can say about the Pelicans coming into this matchup is that the Pelicans are fully healthy this season. The Pelicans saw the return of Trey Murphy III and Jose Alvarado to the lineup.
I believe the Pelicans match up well against the Kings. The Pelicans have the length, size, and depth to give the Kings trouble on the offensive end. Further, Domantas Sabonis has struggled in his career against the Pelicans. In fact, in 17 career games, Sabonis has scored less than 20 points in 15 of those games. With this spread being outside of possession, I will take the points with the Pelicans.
Best Bet: Pelicans +3.5
YTD Record: 16-14 (53.3%)
If you’d like even more info to help make your first FG bets for December 4th, check out the NBA Gambling Podcast. They’re dropping episodes five days a week to make you the smartest guy/gal at the bar.
