The NBA regular season will tip off Tuesday night when the New York Knicks and Boston Celtics headline a two-game slate, followed by the Minnesota Timberwolves and Los Angeles Lakers facing off.
Here are some of the best betting options on DraftKings Sportsbook for Tuesday’s NBA slate:
New York Knicks vs. Boston Celtics
Celtics -5.5 (-110)
The Celtics are coming off an NBA Finals run as a well-oiled machine that knows how to execute at a high level. Meanwhile, the Knicks will be playing their first regular season game after adding Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges. If New York looks like a team at the start of the adjustment process, Boston could be in a solid position to take advantage of that early.
Over 224 (-108)
With the Knicks needing to work through new additions, it may take time to establish a formula defensively. The Celtics can deploy four perimeter players capable of attacking off the dribble. Protecting the rim could be incredibly challenging for New York without Mitchell Robinson in the lineup as he recovers from ankle surgery. The Knicks also won’t have big man Precious Achiuwa available to play due to a strained left hamstring. A lot of pressure will be on Towns in the middle to get the job done defensively.
On the flip side, the Knicks have a lot of offensive firepower in their own right. Towns’ ability to efficiently knock down shots from beyond the arc at the center position allows New York to deploy a five-out offense. With Jalen Brunson, OG Anunoby, and Bridges on the perimeter, it’ll be challenging for any defense to get stops consistently. This could be a high-scoring game unless a lousy shooting night occurs.
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Los Angeles Lakers
Lakers Moneyline (+102)
While the Lakers drew criticism for not making significant roster changes in the offseason, the team will benefit from continuity on opening night. The Timberwolves will be working through not having Towns anymore after trading him to the Knicks in exchange for a return headlined by Julius Randle.
How Randle will fit in the frontcourt next to Rudy Gobert remains to be seen. It’s not an ideal matchup for the frontcourt tandem’s first try since they face an elite rim protector in Anthony Davis. The Timberwolves often deployed flare screening actions involving Towns to open up the offense with Gobert on the court. With Randle not being nearly as fluid or consistent of a catch-and-shoot player as Towns, these actions are unlikely to be as effective if used. How Minnesota approaches its offense will be something to watch in this matchup and throughout the regular season.
Over 219 (-112)
The Lakers are coming off a season averaging 118.0 points per game. Specifically, they averaged 113.5 points against the Timberwolves in four games last season, even despite Minnesota being the NBA’s most efficient regular season defense. Additionally, the Timberwolves averaged 115.5 points per game against Los Angeles and 113.0 overall last season. While Minnesota saw roster shakeup over the offseason, these stats at least give some reason to believe these teams can combine for more than 219 points.
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All odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.
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