Why the Pacers actually have a chance to cover against Celtics, plus other best bets for Wednesday

Hello gambling fans, Chris Bengel is with you again this Wednesday.

It’s a sad day in the football world like Steeler’s legendary running back Franco Harris has died at the age of 72. His death comes just two days before the 50th anniversary of Harris’ “Immaculate Reception” against the Raiders in 1972. Along with a celebration of that anniversary, the Steelers were scheduled to retire Harris’ No. 32 during a halftime ceremony. It is unclear if these plans will be changed after his death. Rest in peace with one of the best rushers the sport has ever seen.

Let’s get to Wednesday’s tips.

All Eastern times and all odds via Caesars Sportsbook

🔥 The hot ticket

Pacers at Celtics, 7:30 p.m. | Television: NBA.TV

Latest Odds:

Indiana Pacers +9.5

• key trend: The Pacers are 5-2 ATS in their last seven games against a team with a win ratio of over .600.
• The Choice: Pacer +10.0 (-110)

I know what you’re thinking. Playing alongside the 15-16 Pacers against one of the best teams in the NBA is insane. If you take a closer look, it really isn’t crazy at all.

Yes, the Pacers’ record is far from phenomenal, but this is a scrappy team that has prevailed against elite competition. When faced with a team that has a home win percentage above .600, the Pacers hold an ATS 4-1 record. Indiana is actually 5-2 ATS in the last seven games, again teams that have a win ratio of over .600. When dealing with some of the top teams in the Eastern Conference, the Pacers have kept the game closed more times than they haven’t. They lost to the Cavaliers by six points, only by more than 10 points in one of their four matchups against the Nets, and by three points to the Knicks.

It also doesn’t hurt that the Celtics have had some troubles lately, losing in four of their last five games. Oh, and Boston owns an ATS 0-4-1 record in those last five games. With the double-double machine Tyrese Haliburton continuing to light the stat sheet for the Pacers, I want them to keep this one within 10 points.

💰 More NBA tips

SATISFACTION

Magic at Rockets, 8 p.m. | Television: NBA.TV

Latest Odds:

Over 223.5

The Choice: About 223.5 (-110) — These are two of the worst teams the NBA has to offer – but there are no standards when it comes to cashing in winning tickets. When it comes to offense scoring, these are two of the lowest in the league. The Rockets are averaging 109.5 points per game (ranked 27th in the NBA), while the Magic are 28th in the NBA at just 109.4 points per game.

However, I don’t expect a lot of defense to be played in this competition either. Both teams allow at least 113.3 points per game and rank in the bottom half of the league in terms of points allowed. Also, the Rockets are one of the worst teams when it comes to defending the three, with opponents shooting at them from range 36.7 percent. I expect this to be some sort of track meet where some threesomes are done.

Key trend: The over has been 5-1-1 in the last seven meetings between Magic and Rockets

Hornets at Clippers, 9 p.m. | TV: NBA TV
The Choice: LaMelo Ball over 21.5 points (-129) — Since returning to the court from injuries earlier this month, LaMelo Ball has been on fire. In four games after an ankle injury, Ball has scored at least 23 points in each competition. The former No. 3 is currently shooting 46.7 percent from beyond the arc this month, including connecting on at least five threes in three of those games. Ball was extremely efficient, shooting around 50.0 percent from the field in each of those competitions.

While the Clippers are one of the better defensive teams in the league, Ball is never afraid to take a shot, so I think he’ll easily push the 22-point plateau we need at this point.

key trend: Ball has scored at least 23 points in each of his four games since recovering from injury