We have 14 games to choose from around the NBA on Wednesday night as the league comes back after going dark on what turned out to be a historic Election Night. With so many options, I really have no excuse if I pick a game and get it wrong tonight. I could probably do an easier one, capping-wise, than Pacers at Grizzlies, but I find this matchup interesting for a few reasons.
Claim the best Kalshi promo code CBSSPORTS55, trade $25, and receive a $55 bonus here: It's an 8 ET tip (no national TV, because it's Indiana at Memphis, so no shock there) from FedExForum. At -7.5 via DraftKings, the Grizzlies are seeing massive ATS action as of publication, with 99% of handle and 80% of bets. There are similar leans on Under 229.5 points.
Fans interested in NBA betting can keep up with NBA news and follow our experts to be prepared before wagering at any of the top sports betting apps. Bet on NBA props and more at DraftKings and get $200 in bonus bets plus three free months of NBA League Pass: DraftKings: SGP price: +136 (subject to change) The NBA probably has been my favorite professional sports league since Michael Jordan's Bulls started dominating. But I've been pulling back that interest some in recent years because I am so tired of healthy guys sitting out for "rest management." These guys only work seven months a year and make lifetime money.
If you are hurt, that's hugely different. In my opinion, the Pacers embarrassed themselves and the NBA on Monday in a 108-104 home loss to Atlanta, Indiana's fifth straight loss. Yes, some guys were out injured for the team in that one but 11 guys were out -- representing about 93% of their payroll – with six total available.
All six guys — including the team's three two-way players — played 34 or more minutes and reached double figures. Second-round rookie guard Braden Smith, so good in college at Purdue, had a double-double with 19 points and 10 assists in 42 minutes of action. Per NBA.com, it marked the first time in 22 years that the Pacers used so few players in a game.
While it was the eighth instance of teams using only six guys over the past 15 seasons, almost all the others were in meaningless games at the end of the campaign when teams are tanking or resting for the playoffs. This season isn't even two weeks old. The last time a team used only six players in a game even in the first month of season was on Nov. 24, 2009, when Golden State did and still beat Dallas.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
