There is plenty of NBA betting action on Saturday as the end of the regular season gets closer and closer. Here are three of the best totals to bet.
Golden State Warriors at Houston Rockets Pick
Warriors vs. Rockets Betting Stats
Best Bet – Over 233 Points
There are some intriguing advantages that help the over in the Warriors-Rockets game. For starters, both teams play fast.
Pace can be taken from field goals attempted per game and possessions per game. The Warriors are sixth in the NBA in pace, while the Rockets are 11th.
Both teams also shoot a ton of threes. Golden State is sixth in threes made per game, and Houston is 10th.
Stephen Curry and the Warriors, in particular, should have a steady dose of threes on tap against the Rockets’ 26th-ranked perimeter defense. Add it all up, and the over is a solid bet for Saturday night.
Helping keep this total reasonable is the poor record each team has against overs. The Warriors are 26-37, and the Rockets are 27-35-1.
These teams last played on April 10, a 125-109 win for Golden State.
New Orleans Pelicans at Minnesota Timberwolves Pick
Pelicans vs. Timberwolves Betting Stats
Best Bet – Over 237.5 Points
Our second over bet of the night is the game between New Orleans and Minnesota. The basis for this pick lies in pace and poor defense, a terrific recipe for plenty of points.
When studying points per game and opponent shooting percentage, the Pelicans’ defense comes in 28th in the NBA. The Timberwolves are right behind them, ranked 29th in the league. Both teams also rank inside the top 10 of pace, a sign of a sloppy game to come.
The Pelicans should score at ease, so consider taking their team total over and loading up on Zion Williamson props. New Orleans has a top 10 offense to take advantage of this weak Timberwolves defense.
The Pelicans, led by Williamson, also score the second-most points in the paint per game. Minnesota ranks 25th at stopping such shots, so expect a big game for New Orleans.
The Pelicans are a league-best 39-24 against over/unders this season. The Timberwolves are 33-31 against overs.
These teams last played in early March, with the Pelicans easily winning 135-105.
Expert NBA Over/Under Predictions
Indiana Pacers at Oklahoma City Thunder Pick
Pacers vs. Thunder Betting Stats
Best Bet – Over 233 Points
Our final pick of the night is focused on Indiana. The Pacers have been climbing up the ranks of the best NBA teams against overs. Indiana has covered the total in three straight en route to a 37-24-1 record against overs, second in the NBA.
The Thunder own one of the worst defenses in the league, and a few Pacers seem poised for big games. Indiana is third in the league in points in the paint, and Oklahoma City is ill-equipped to stop it, ranking 26th in the league.
Everything points towards the Pacers having a big game. Both teams also play fast, with Indiana third in pace and Oklahoma City 14th.
These teams last met just last week, with the Pacers winning 122-116. There’s reason to believe an encore performance is in store.
The Thunder are 31-32 against over/unders.