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NBA Betting Insights Wednesday 26th March
The Lakers are expected to capitalize on their advantage in interior scoring. Since acquiring Luka Doncic, their playmaking has significantly improved, enhancing their effectiveness in the paint. Center Jaxson Hayes has been a frequent target for lobs, a strategy likely to be effective against a Pacers defense that allows 51.9 points per game in the paint, ranking third-worst in the league.
by Malachi
WASHINGTON WIZARDS @ PHILADELPHIA 76ERS
Player News
Out: M. Smart, K. George, K. Middleton, A. Drummond, K. Lowry, T. Maxey, K. Oubre
Questionable: N/a
Market
Opening: -2.5 PHI / 225.5
Current: -3.5 PHI / 230.5
Recent Form
WAS L10: 3-7 SU / 3-7 ATS / 5-4-1 OU
PHI L10: 2-8 SU / 4-6 ATS / 7-2-1 OU
Trends
WAS: 27-19 to the over on with 1 day off / 14-20-2 as away underdogs
PHI: 17-26 ATS in conference games / 1-14 ATS as home favourites
Analysis
Both teams are enduring challenging seasons, with the Wizards holding a 15-56 record and the 76ers at 23-49. Each team is currently on a five-game losing streak and has had one day of rest prior to this matchup.
Historically, the 76ers have dominated this series, securing victories in their last six encounters with the Wizards. Their most recent meeting resulted in a 109-103 win for Philadelphia. However, both rosters have undergone significant changes since that game. The Wizards will be without key players such as Bilal Coulibaly and Kyshawn George due to injuries. Similarly, the 76ers are missing Tyrese Maxey, Kelly Oubre Jr., Eric Gordon, and Kenyon Martin Jr.
From a betting perspective, the 76ers have struggled as favorites, holding a 1-14 record against the spread (ATS) as home favorites this season. Conversely, the Wizards have a 14-20-2 ATS record as away underdogs, indicating challenges in covering the spread on the road.
A standout performer for the 76ers has been Quentin Grimes, who has averaged 27.8 points over the past ten games, including a 46-point performance against the Rockets. Given the Wizards' defensive rating of 21st in the league over the last ten games, Grimes' scoring prowess could be a decisive factor in this matchup.
Both teams rank in the top ten for pace over the past ten games, suggesting a high-tempo game with numerous scoring opportunities. This could further benefit Grimes' offensive output.
While our projections slightly favor the 76ers to cover the spread, the situational trends and both teams' current forms make this a challenging game to take a side on.
LOS ANGELES LAKERS @ INDIANA PACERS
Player News
Out: M. Kleber
Questionable: N/a
Market
Opening: -1 IND / 232.5
Current: -1 LAL / 235.5
Recent Form
LAL L10: 3-7 SU / 4-6 ATS / 7-3 OU
IND L10: 7-3 SU / 2-8 ATS / 3-7 OU
Trends
LAL: 9-6 SU as away favourite / 28-17 SU with 1 day off
IND: 24-10 SU at home / 24-17 SU after a win
Analysis
The Los Angeles Lakers will visit the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, aiming to halt a three-game losing streak. Conversely, the Pacers are on a five-game winning streak, marking one of their most successful runs this season. The Lakers are highly motivated to reverse their recent downturn, which has seen them fall from the second to the fifth seed in the Western Conference standings. Encouragingly, they approach this matchup with a healthier roster.
In their previous meeting on February 8, 2025, the Lakers secured a 124-117 victory over the Pacers. Notably, both LeBron James and Luka Doncic were absent in that game, allowing Austin Reaves to step up with a career-high 45 points, leading the team to victory.
The Lakers are expected to capitalize on their advantage in interior scoring. Since acquiring Luka Doncic, their playmaking has significantly improved, enhancing their effectiveness in the paint. Center Jaxson Hayes has been a frequent target for lobs, a strategy likely to be effective against a Pacers defense that allows 51.9 points per game in the paint, ranking third-worst in the league.
Additionally, the Lakers have shown improvement in three-point shooting over the past ten games, ranking seventh with a 38.5% success rate from beyond the arc. In contrast, the Pacers have struggled from three-point range during the same period, shooting 34.4%, placing them 24th in the league. Gaining an edge in perimeter shooting could be a decisive factor in this matchup.
Given the Lakers' determination to end their losing streak and the Pacers' current momentum, this game promises to be a compelling contest with significant implications for both teams' standings.
LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS @ NEW YORK KNICKS
Player News
Out: J. Miller, J. Brunson, M. McBride
Questionable: J. Harden
Market
Opening: -1 NYK / 217.5
Current: -4.5 LAC / 218
Recent Form
LAC L10: 8-2 SU / 7-3 ATS / 6-4 OU
NYK L10: 5-5 SU / 5-5 ATS / 3-6-1 OU
Trends
LAC: 13-5 ATS with rest advantage / 16-10 ATS in non-conference games
NYK: 4-8 ATS as underdogs / 2-9 ATS on no rest
Analysis
The Los Angeles Clippers are set to face the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden, benefiting from a rest advantage after two days off, whereas the Knicks are on the second night of a back-to-back. The Clippers have displayed impressive form, securing victories in eight of their past ten games, bolstered by a fully healthy roster. However, they aim to rebound from a recent defeat to the league-leading Oklahoma City Thunder.
Conversely, the Knicks have been navigating challenges due to injuries, notably the absence of Jalen Brunson, who has been sidelined with a right ankle sprain and is expected to remain out for at least another week. His replacement, Miles McBride, is out for tonight’s game. These injuries have contributed to inconsistent performances, including consecutive losses to teams with subpar records such as the San Antonio Spurs and Charlotte Hornets. Notably, the Knicks' recent schedule has been relatively lenient, featuring games against struggling teams like the Miami Heat, Spurs, Washington Wizards, and an injury-plagued Dallas Mavericks squad. Tonight's game represents a significant increase in competition level.
The Clippers have already secured a victory against the Knicks earlier this month in California. That encounter also occurred on the second night of a back-to-back for the Knicks and marked their first game without Brunson. The Clippers emerged victorious with a 105-95 scoreline, despite the absence of Norman Powell. A key factor in that game was the disparity in three-point shooting: the Clippers converted 15 of 38 attempts (39.5%), while the Knicks struggled, hitting only 9 of 34 (26.5%).
Defensively, the Clippers have been formidable throughout the season, particularly in limiting opponents' three-point efficiency. They currently rank third in the league for opponent three-point percentage, allowing just 34.0%. This defensive prowess poses a challenge for the Knicks, who have experienced difficulties in offensive fluidity without Brunson, leading to a decline in creating open shooting opportunities. Given the potential fatigue from consecutive games and the Clippers' defensive strengths, the Knicks may face additional challenges in generating effective perimeter offense tonight.
BOSTON CELTICS @ PHOENIX SUNS
Player News
Out: B. Beal, X. Tillman, J. Tatum (doubtful)
Questionable: N/a
Market
Opening: -2.5 BOS / 226.5
Current: -5.5 BOS / 220.5
Recent Form
BOS L10: 9-1 SU / 6-4 ATS / 4-6 OU
PHX L10: 6-4 SU / 7-3 ATS / 4-6 OU
Trends
BOS: 8-3 ATS as away favourites with line less than -7 / 20-13 to the under as away favourites
PHX: 9-24-1 ATS after a win / 7-18-1 ATS in non-conference games
Analysis
The Phoenix Suns are set to host the Boston Celtics at Footprint Center as they aim to extend their impressive four-game home winning streak. The Celtics arrive in exceptional form, having secured victories in 11 of their past 12 games. Historically, the Celtics have dominated recent matchups, holding a 4-1 record against the Suns since 2021, with each win achieved by a double-digit margin.
Boston's All-Star forward, Jayson Tatum, is listed as doubtful for the upcoming game due to a left ankle sprain sustained during Monday's victory over the Sacramento Kings. Despite this potential absence, the Celtics have demonstrated resilience, maintaining a 5-1 record in games without Tatum this season.
Statistically, the Celtics boast the league's second-ranked offense with an offensive rating of 119.4, while the Suns are positioned eighth at 115.4. Defensively, Boston holds a significant advantage, ranking fifth with a defensive rating of 110.3, compared to Phoenix's 26th position at 116.4.
A critical aspect of this matchup lies beyond the arc. The Celtics are sixth in three-point shooting percentage and lead the league in both three-point attempts and makes. Conversely, the Suns' perimeter defense has been subpar, ranking 22nd in opponent three-point makes per game and 16th in opponent three-point percentage. While Phoenix excels offensively from three-point range, ranking second in shooting percentage, they will contend with Boston's formidable perimeter defense, which is top five in opponent three-point percentage allowed and sixth in opponent three-pointers made per game.