NBA In-Season Tournament: 6 Best Bets for Semifinal Round
Ben DiGiacomo
Host · Writer
CJ McCollum 20+ Points (+125)
The Lakers have struggled to defend opposing guards and after watching Grayson Allen drop 21 points on the Lakers in the knockout round, I knew there was no way I wasn’t betting on CJ McCollum tonight. McCollum has only had north of 20 points in four of nine games this year, but mixed into that he does have two 19-point outings. With LeBron James and Anthony Davis focusing on Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson, should I really expect for D’Angelo Russell to limit McCollum? At +125, I love the price I’m getting here.
Tyrese Haliburton: 25+ Points, 10+ Assists, 3+ Threes (-120)
Tonight’s game total between the Pacers and Bucks is listed at a staggering 254.5, so we can confidently bet some overs here. Tyrese Haliburton is the engine behind the high-flying Pacers offense, and he’s had at least 25 points, 10 assists, and three long balls in five of his last six games with his one miss being a nine-assist outing. He had 29 points, 10 assists, and five threes in his previous game against the Bucks, so this is a strong bankroll builder to work into your wagers tonight at -120.
Giannis Antetokounmpo 35+ Points/Milwaukee to Win (+185)
As much as I enjoy what the Pacers have done this season, I can’t bet them to take down the Bucks tonight. It appears to me that the Bucks are taking this in-season tournament very seriously. This is an opportunity for their new-look team to gel in a playoff setting before their expected deep playoff run at the Larry O’Brien in June. For a win tonight in a shootout, Giannis Antetokounmpo needs to go nuts like he did in the previous matchup between these two teams where he dropped 54. I won’t count on 54 again as Damian Lillard missed that game, but the Pacers have no one capable of stopping him. I love the value I’m getting at +185 for a 35-point outing with a win.
Obi Toppin 10+ Points & Bennedict Mathurin 10+ Points (-120)
The Pacers don’t necessarily have a dominant number two option behind Tyrese Haliburton as role players file in behind him, but Obi Toppin and Bennedict Mathurin are two guys with higher upsides. Mathurin has exceeded 10 points in five straight games and previously had a 26-point outing against the Bucks. Toppin has had at least 10 points in six of his last seven games with his lone miss being a nine-point performance. The Pacers could score upwards of 130 points tonight, so expecting both of these guys to have ten is a safe bet to make at -120.
Zion Williamson 5+ Assists, 4+ Rebounds (-105)
Zion Williamson has taken on more of a facilitation role lately, with at least five assists in nine of his last ten games. Overall, we know he gets it done on the glass as he has had at least four rebounds in 16 of 18 games this season. At -105, how don’t you bet this?
Anthony Davis: 25+ Points, 11+ Rebounds (-110)
Anthony Davis has owned the Pelicans in his career since leaving New Orleans for LA, averaging 28 points and 12 rebounds across 12 meetings. He’s been on a tear lately as he has had at least 11 rebounds in eight straight games while scoring 25 points in seven of his last nine. All things considered, at -110, we’re getting ourselves a great value.
CJ McCollum 20+ Points (+125)
The Lakers have struggled to defend opposing guards and after watching Grayson Allen drop 21 points on the Lakers in the knockout round, I knew there was no way I wasn’t betting on CJ McCollum tonight. McCollum has only had north of 20 points in four of nine games this year, but mixed into that he does have two 19-point outings. With LeBron James and Anthony Davis focusing on Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson, should I really expect for D’Angelo Russell to limit McCollum? At +125, I love the price I’m getting here.
Tyrese Haliburton: 25+ Points, 10+ Assists, 3+ Threes (-120)
Tonight’s game total between the Pacers and Bucks is listed at a staggering 254.5, so we can confidently bet some overs here. Tyrese Haliburton is the engine behind the high-flying Pacers offense, and he’s had at least 25 points, 10 assists, and three long balls in five of his last six games with his one miss being a nine-assist outing. He had 29 points, 10 assists, and five threes in his previous game against the Bucks, so this is a strong bankroll builder to work into your wagers tonight at -120.
