Pacers, Thunder and Clippers favorite to win
When it comes to sports betting for an action-packed Sunday, the NFL is usually the best place to be, with various games taking place on the last day of the week during the regular season. However, the basketball fans also have quite a few betting options available throughout the weekend with this Sunday having three exciting games lined up as we get closer to the NBA playoffs.
Boston Celtics (12-16) @ Indiana Pacers (21-5)
The Indiana Pacers are on fire this season and after an amazing game against the Rockets on Friday, they are now ready to extend their lead in the Eastern Conference as they host the Celtics later today.
The Pacers have only allowed more than 100 points at home once the entire season, when they lost to Detroit last Sunday. The Indiana defense is one of the best in the league and not even Miami was able to get triple digits on the scoreboard on Tuesday. With the first losing streak of the season now behind them, the Pacers will look to get back on track and maybe even get another 11-game winning streak going.
The Celtics lost at home to the Pacers when these two teams last met on November 22 and are now coming off the fourth loss in six games, after Washington defeated Boston 106-99 on Saturday. Despite the struggling season, the Celtics can still make it into the playoffs since they are now leading the worst division in the NBA – the Atlantic – with two wins ahead of Toronto.
The -12 point spread for Indiana doesn’t seem to discourage bettors and almost three quarters of the action is on the Pacers winning the game and covering the spread.
Toronto Raptors (10-14) @ Oklahoma City Thunder (22-4)
A game against the leader in the Northwest Division and the 2nd team in Atlantic may seem like a fairly even match but it most certainly is not. The Thunder is leading the Western Conference and on its way to a deep run in the playoffs while the Raptors are barely keeping up.
Oklahoma City will have a good chance to extend their longest winning streak of the season and maintain their flawless record at home. However, Toronto won three consecutive games on the road and they are determined to put a fourth one on the record for the first time in 12 years.
Kevin Durrant
Kevin Durant had a modest night against the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday as the Thunder won 113-100 for their ninth consecutive win.
The only team to remain undefeated at home will be a big problem for Toronto on Sunday night and online bookmakers give Oklahoma City a -10.5-point handicap, with the Over/Under line at 204.5. The safe bet would be on the Thunder covering the spread and maintaining its over 110 scored points average.
Minnesota Timberwolves (13-14) @ Los Angeles Clippers (19-9)
The Los Angeles Clippers are feeling rather merry right about now as they lead the Pacific Division and a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves can extend their joy into Christmas.
The Clippers won the seven last games against the Timberwolves and there is no reason to think that this Sunday won’t result in the eighth win in LA. With a 112 points average from their last four-game winning streak, Los Angeles are now fourth in the Western Conference and just two wins behind the Spurs, who are one game behind.
Timberwolves are the underdogs with +6 points offered by bookmakers but Clippers are very likely to cover the spread given their great potential to get in those valuable three-pointers, especially at home. LA is shooting 33.7 percent from the distance but it may not be enough to get over the 210-point line for O/U.
