If all you wanted for Christmas is a new NBA season, you're already a winner. The Association kicks off 2020-2021 with two marquee matchups and I'm going to kick off my new Bettors Insider NBA picks by concentrating primarily on one of them.
The Lakers vs Clippers may be a fun game to watch, but I have no idea yet how they're going to rotate players so I'm staying away from the props. Serge Ibaka Over 7.5 rebounds? He may not play 7.5 minutes.
I'm concentrating on the Nets vs Warriors (with a long shot from the West Coast game) and the goal of the column is to offer four bets a night – at different odds – and hope the safer plays give some low-risk skin in the game and the long shots offer more of a rush. As tends to happen, I'll lose the bet I thought was a sure thing and sweat out the other ones. For calculations, I'm figuring each wager at $10 and on the first bet in each category only, but bet as little or as much as you can afford. Times are tough and your family wants presents.
If I start winning, I'll gloat. If not, I'll scream the games are rigged and demand recounts.
Warriors at NETS, 7:10 pm EST, Clippers at LAKERS, 10:10 pm EST
3-pointer: Lakers -3.5 AND Over 220.5 (+265) (returns $36.50)
2-pointers: Joe Harris Over 17.5 (points, rebounds, assists) -110 (returns $19.10) and Kyrie Irving Over 5.5 assists -118 (returns $18.10).
Free throw: Total Points Under 247.5 (alternate line) -480 (returns $12.10) or Total Points Over 216.5 (alternate line ) -480 (returns $12.10). Or take them both if you want to live large.
Steal: Kevin Durant Over 6.5 rebounds +110 (returns $21)