NBA Parlay Picks For Sunday: Boston Celtics vs. Orlando Magic, Bucks vs Clippers, and More
NBA Parlay Picks For Sunday: Boston Celtics vs. Orlando Magic, Bucks vs Clippers, and More
Sunday's NBA Parlay
- Brooklyn Nets +9 (Nets vs Nuggets odds)
- Indiana Pacers +9 (Pacers vs Cavs odds)
- Atlanta Hawks +6 (Hawks vs Mavs odds)
Odds: +297 (Bet $100 to win $297)
NBA Parlay Breakdown
It feels weird to keep seeing the Brooklyn Nets listed as the underdog going into games, this is the same team that was widely expected to dominate the Eastern Conference and challenge for an NBA championship. Yet, James Harden's sudden regression, Kyrie Irving's part-time play, and Kevin Durant's injury issues have all played a part in the team's poor showing this year. Tonight, the Nets face off against the Denver Nuggets, and by now their injury issues are well documented, so we can skip past the explainer. Part of Brooklyn's underdog status for tonight is due to Durant's absence, and the game-time decision that surrounds Harden's presence tonight, throw in LaMarcus Aldridge, Nicolas Claxton (questionable), and Joe Harris all being out, and the Nets look like a team in need of prolonged rest. Even if Irving does play tonight, he's not going to be at his best - how could you when you're sitting out 50% of the team's games? As such, the Nuggets are certainly expected to be in the driver's seat tonight, with Nikola Jokic manning the wheel. Brooklyn's defense has slipped as of late, so it's hard to see them limiting the current MVP and Aaron Gordon from getting whatever they want, whenever they want it. I do think the Nets have some talented role players which should help them keep things respectable, but short of a dominant performance, I expect them to lose. A +9-point spread should be enough to see us over the hump on the first leg of this parlay, but no one would blame you if you opted for a larger margin of error.
When Rick Carlisle was hired in Indiana, many expected the Pacers to be a robust team capable of eeking out wins in difficult circumstances. However, the disjointed roster construction and overlapping skillset of the Pacers star players has hindered the talented coaches' ability to put out a winning team this season, and it's evident changes are coming sooner rather than later. Yet, those changes aren't going to help tonight, as the 19-35 Pacers take on the 32-21 Cleveland Cavaliers. You see, the Cavaliers have been the surprise team of the season, taking the leap from Eastern Conference whipping boys to genuine playoff contender in the space of a few months, and yes, a lot of credit should go to Evan Mobley's presence and Darius Garland's third-year jump. Unfortunately, the Cavaliers will possibly be without Garland tonight, as he is questionable to enter the day, while Lauri Markkanen and Collin Sexton are also missing from the rotation, still, Isaac Okoro, Jarrett Allen, and Evan Mobley create a defensively sound spine to this team and you can expect that to be on show from the opening tip. For the Pacers, Domantas Sabonis, and Malcolm Brogdon are both questionable to participate tonight and will be game-time decisions. However, even if they were to play, the Cavaliers have already beaten the Pacers once this year, and will likely do so again tonight. Similar to the Brooklyn Nets, we're giving the Pacers a +9-point spread, mainly because the Cavaliers are still a young team and are prone to dropping a game here or there.
Finally, we have the Atlanta Hawks facing off against the Dallas Mavericks. Despite Atlanta's recent resurgence, which strangely coincides with them trading Cam Reddish, the team has dropped two of its last three games - it looks like the Toronto Raptors have them figured out - and they will be keen to get back in the win column tonight. However, the Hawks will start the day sweating on the availability of John Collins, Danilo Gallinari, and Lou Williams, which isn't the best way to prepare for facing one of the league's premier talents in Luka Doncic. For the Dallas Mavericks, their job hasn't been made any easier by the absence of Kristaps Porzingis and Tim Hardaway Jr, who are both out for tonight's game, yet they will be hoping their top-5 defense can slow down a Hawks team who sit 2nd in offensive rating. I expect this game to be a slugfest, the Hawks are an elite offensive team who struggle heavily on the defensive end, while the Mavericks are becoming one of the better defensive units in the league, but consistently falter in the half-court. In games like this, I tend to lean towards the roster with a better defensive structure, and if they have an elite difference-maker, that makes me lean in harder - the Mavericks have both. So, a +6-point spread for the Hawks seems to be a reasonable compromise, where we can complete this parlay if they win or lose, all we're asking is they keep the game close.
Get a $1500 Free Bet on Celtics vs Magic
Boston Celtics vs. Orlando Magic Same-Game Parlay
- Orlando Magic +12.5
- Over 215.5 Points
+184
Click here for Celtics vs Magic odds
The Boston Celtics are suddenly looking like the team we all expected them to be coming into the season. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown have found their shooting touch, and Al Horford is steadying the ship on defense, and who can forget the growth of Robert Williams as an elite rim-runner in the NBA. In fact, since the turn of the year, the Celtics are 13th in offense, 1st in defense, and 2nd in net rating, that's how vast their recent improvements have been. Tonight, the Orlando Magic face the unenviable task of trying to stop a team that's building some serious momentum heading into the All-Star break, and it may be too much to ask from a team that's won just 12 games all season. While the Magic haven't released their injury report at the time of writing, it's fair to assume there are no major additions, so we can expect familiar rotations from both teams. The Celtics are a deeper team, and boast talent throughout their roster, while the Magic are a young, fun, and developing roster that are learning on the fly. I can't look past Boston winning this one, they're in great form, oozing confidence, and have a fully healthy squad, which is why I'm giving the Magic a huge +12.5-point spread to level the playing field. Oh, and we're backing such a low points total because the Celtics tend to take pleasure in limiting their opponents to under 100 points.
Boston Celtics vs Orlando Magic Line Movement
Milwaukee Bucks vs. Los Angeles Clippers Same-Game Parlay
- Los Angeles Clippers +8
- Under 229 Points
Odds: +188
Click here for Bucks vs Clippers odds
The additions of Norman Powell and Robert Covington will certainly improve the Los Angeles Clippers roster but make no mistake, these moves were made with next season in mind. Once Paul George and Kawhi Leonard are back in the rotation, the Clippers roster looks like the best in the NBA, and adding a premier shooter and high-level perimeter defender hasn't hurt them one bit. Sure, in the short term the Clippers have two high-level rotation players to help them while the team's stars recover, but it doesn't make them favorites to win every game or anything like that. Especially when that game is against the Milwaukee Bucks, you know, the reigning NBA champions? The Bucks, similar to the Boston Celtics are finally fully healthy, and are starting to make up for lost time, and have the 5th best offense over the last 14 days. The Clippers may have been boosted by their mid-week trade, but I can't see them limiting Giannis Antetokounmpo on the break, of Khris Middleton when he's sprinting off screens, and who is their primary offensive weapon at the moment? As such, a +8-point spread has me feeling confident about hitting our final parlay, come what may, which should allow us all to enjoy what should be a fantastic game of basketball.