There are just three games this week in the Sunday slate as the NBA spreads their games out over the festive period. This does mean that we get three games in a delightful window for European fans on Christmas Day that you won’t want to miss.
It’s the time of the year when, as you prepare to see friends and family, countless executives across the leagues are frantically trying to determine whether they will be buyers or sellers ahead of the trade deadline in early February. We’re already starting to hear rumblings of a couple of big trades that might come to fruition over the coming weeks, and it certainly is beginning to feel as if we’re in that most magical season, the F5 season.
This week we have two of the top six teams in the West on the road looking to cement their places as play-off teams. Read on to see what Peter Sharland is tipping this week.
NBA tips
11:10pm – Houston Rockets @ Toronto Raptors
Jalen Green, Over 23.5 points & assists
Alperen Sengun, Over 10.5 rebounds
11:10pm – Indiana Pacers @ Sacramento Kings
Pascal Siakam, Over 28.5 points & rebounds
11:10pm – Denver Nuggets @ New Orleans Pelicans
Nikola Jokic to record a triple double
- A Multi-Match Bet Builder with these bets pays at approximately 15/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.
Houston Rockets @ Toronto Raptors – Jalen Green, Over 23.5 points & assists
The Rockets bounced back nicely from losing in the semi-finals of the NBA Cup, blowing out the hapless Pelicans, although, as we’ll discuss later, that isn’t exactly impressive. One of the most pleasing aspects of that big win, however, has to be the performance of Jalen Green, who scored a game-high 34 points just when he needed it most.
Whether Green can spark something to secure his place in this ascendant Houston squad or at least propel himself to a more lucrative destination via trade is unsure. However, against a struggling Toronto defence, Green should have another big night.
Alperen Sengun, Over 10.5 rebounds
Elsewhere in this game we’re tipping Alpen Sengun to get to 10+ rebounds. His over/under is actually set at 10.5 (with his season average at 10.6), but twice in the last five games, he finished under 10 and once bang on 10, so we’re hedging a bit and going for 10+ rather than over 10.5.
Indiana Pacers @ Sacramento Kings – Pascal Siakam, Over 28.5 points & rebounds
The other game of the (relatively) early window on Sunday sees Indiana head west to play the Kings, who, whilst not quite in the category of the aforementioned Pelicans, have had a rough season with injuries. Tipped by many as potential play-off (or at least play-in) candidates, the Kings sit 12th in the West, only just ahead of the tanking duo of Portland and Utah and, again, New Orleans.
For that reason, we’re looking towards the Pacers in this one. Pascal Siakam had a monster game in the second of the team’s doubleheader against the Lakers and, in general, has been playing well recently. We like him to go big once again in this one.
Denver Nuggets @ New Orleans Pelicans – Nikola Jokic to record a triple double
So, as we mentioned, things are not so hot for the Pelicans, who are 1-8 in December and are showing no signs of recovery at all. The Nuggets, for their part, come into this game after two thrillers, beating the Kings 130-129 before then losing at the buzzer to Anfernee Simons and the Blazers 126-124.
Even if they aren’t the juggernaut of years past, the Nuggets will always be compelling, if only for Nikola Jokic. The Serbian superstar is averaging a ludicrous 31 points, 13 rebounds, and 9.8 assists per game this season and recorded a triple-double in the clash with the Kings. Against this beaten-up Pelicans team, he could well do the same.
Sunday’s NBA tips
11:10pm – Houston Rockets @ Toronto Raptors
Jalen Green, Over 23.5 points & assists
Alperen Sengun, Over 10.5 rebounds
11:10pm – Indiana Pacers @ Sacramento Kings
Pascal Siakam, Over 28.5 points & rebounds
11:10pm – Denver Nuggets @ New Orleans Pelicans
Nikola Jokic to record a triple double
- A Multi-Match Bet Builder with these bets pays at approximately 15/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
Read More
- Get the latest NBA Basketball odds on PaddyPower.com
- Basketball Betting Strategies: Three Tips for NBA Bettors
- How to bet on basketball: Your complete guide
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