NBA Betting Tips: Little chance of the under in Utah

There are five matches in the NBA in the early hours of Wednesday morning, with plenty of action to be expected as we enter the third week of the competition’s inaugural in-season tournament.

The new format sees teams face off in a group stage, with the results counting towards regular season records as well, before the winners from each of the six sections, alongside two wildcards, progress to the knockouts to compete for the NBA Cup and a $500,000 bonus for each player in the winning roster.

We have picked out the three best bets from the upcoming matches, including a triumph for the Los Angeles Lakers in what looks set to be a high-scoring clash with the Utah Jazz.

Orlando Magic to beat Toronto Raptors @ 4/5

The Orlando Magic have surprised many this season, sitting fifth in the Eastern Conference despite having such a young roster, and they may be too strong for the visiting Toronto Raptors on Wednesday.

The Canadian side have won just six of their 13 games this term and rumours of the head office being tempted to shake things up are increasing week-by-week and the discourse looks likely to worsen again as they face the Magic in Orlando, where they lost both matches last season.

The Raptors landed a big win in their last match, but that came against the 2-12 Detroit Pistons and this rates a far tougher assignment.

The Magic have won their last three matches without former number one pick Markelle Fultz and starting Center Wendell Carter Jr who are both set to return against the Raptors, only boosting Orlando’s chances.

Odds of 4/5 seem fair and should be taken as the home side look likely to continue their fine form.

Indiana Pacers 1st Half Money Line @ 13/10

The Indiana Pacers have been better than expected this season, winning seven of their opening 12 games, led by the always-improving Point Guard Tyrese Haliburton who has averaged 23 points and 11 assists per game this term.

They head to Georgia to take on the Atlanta Hawks, who are 6-6, as 11/8 underdogs, however they may get the better of their hosts early on at the State Farm Arena.

No side in the NBA is averaging more first-half points than the Pacers’ 62 and they average 59.3 per game when away, which is slightly higher than Atlanta’s 57.3 at home.

The Pacers led at half-time when these sides last met in the regular season before going on to lose and have outscored the Hawks in the first half in their last three matchups.

Odds of 13/10 for Indiana to be leading at the half look generous based on that evidence, perhaps more so than an outright win for the visitors given their second-half collapse last time the two franchises met.

Over 236.5 points in Utah Jazz @ Los Angeles Lakers @ 10/11

The Lakers have won all three of their in-season tournament matches to date, beating championship-chasing Phoenix Suns before showing their quality in victories over the Memphis Grizzlies and Portland Trail Blazers.

The Lakers have won their last two meetings with the Jazz, with the visitors unlikely to break that losing streak, but 3/10 odds for a home win do not appeal, so looking into the total points market may be a better move.

Utah have the third-worst defensive rating in the NBA this season (118.4) and may struggle to contain their hosts, who have averaged 121 points per game in the in-season tournament so far.

Anthony Davis is averaging 22 points per game this term and with the Jazz missing their starting Center Walker Kessler he, along with LeBron James, could dominate the paint and boost the points total as the Lakers land another win.

Two of the LA side's three in-season tournament games have seen 237 points or more as well as five of Utah’s last six matches, which is unsurprising given their leaky defence.

The points line is set at 236.5 and it may be smart to take the over at odds of 10/11.

Check out the rest of our NBA Betting Tips here.