NBA best bets: Tyrese and Indiana set the pace

There we go, cash that defensemen shot parlay yesterday to help us find some green this week! We'll turn to the NBA this evening with the league dominating the night's action, keeping it simple with a pair of over/under picks, rather than hone in on any players in particular.

Two totals for tonight on the hardwood

Charlotte Hornets @ Indiana Pacers

There hasn't been much as consistent this season as betting the overs in Indiana Pacers games. The over is currently an absurd 19-6-1 in Pacers games, and it's not hard to see why when you look under the hood.

The Pacers have an over bettor's dream combination: first in pace of play, second in offensive rating, and 29th in defensive rating. Translation: they play fast, score a lot of points and struggle to slow down opposing offenses.

Charlotte's defense isn't much better, ranking 28th in the league, so we expect Indiana to once again pour on the points, but the makeup of its play style tends to elevate the opposition's scoring efforts as well. The last time these two met this season, they hit this over, so we're going back to the well.

Betting: Over 248.5 points (-110)

Timberwolves-Sixers under

A bet on this game is a bet on defenses reigning supreme. We've got a matchup between two of the top five best defenses in the NBA, with Philly owning the distinction of the league's best, and Minnesota sitting as the fifth-strongest defensive unit.

These two have yielded some low-scoring games when they do square off the past few seasons, going under in three straight, averaging 214.33 points per game.

Betting: Under 226 points (-108)

In the news ...

Ja Morant scores buzzer-beater win in season debut — Ja Morant is back after serving his 25-game suspension (for brandishing a gun on an Instagram live stream), providing an instant spark for the Memphis Grizzlies. Morant dropped 34 points, including this game-winning spinning layup at the buzzer to take down the New Orleans Pelicans 115-113. Memphis is currently 7-19 and 6.5 games back from the final playoff spot. There's plenty of season left, and perhaps Morant's return is just what this team needs. The Grizzlies are +1000 to make the playoffs.

C.J. Stroud might be out for another game — Unfortunately for the Houston Texans, it seems likely their standout rookie QB C.J. Stroud will be forced to miss another game. Houston was able to persevere and win anyway last week with Case Keenum, but now have a tough matchup against another wild-card hopeful in the Cleveland Browns. Stroud's rookie of the year win is all but settled, he's -10000 to win OROY, but Houston's playoff hopes obviously ride on Stroud's health. FanDuel currently has Houston at -132 to make the playoffs, sitting at 8-6.

Today's Bark Bets is written by Griffin Carroll, the guy who won $8K on a $20 NFL parlay. Follow him on Substack: griffybets.substack.com.