Happy Hump Day NBA Parlay (+264) Includes Kings Cover and Points Galore in Utah
Best Bet: Parlay Kings -8 at -110 & Timberwolves/Jazz over 236 at -110 at +264 odds with BetOnline
Sacramento Kings vs. Houston Rockets
Wednesday, February 8, 2023 at 8 p.m. ET at Toyota Center in Houston
Houston's Shot Profile
Likely influenced by analytics, Houston generally tries either to attack the basket or to shoot three-pointers.
The former endeavor tends to fail -- the Rockets are one of the least efficient teams at scoring within five feet of the opponent's basket.
Teams in general score inside the arc by using good ball movement to open up space around the basket in which players may attempt higher-percentage shots.
But the Rockets lack the necessary point guard play to generate good ball movement to any consistent extent.
In fact, their official depth chart lists Kevin Porter Jr., at the position, although he is a shooting guard and not a point guard.
Porter Jr. is also injured. His injured foot has led to his being ruled out for tonight's game.
Jae'Sean Tate, a small forward, is the next man up on Houston's depth chart at the point guard position.
These disadvantages help explain why the Rockets own the third-worst field goal percentage within five feet of the basket.
They lack the weaponry to exploit a King interior defense that is relatively vulnerable, although it is far from being the worst at defending the space within five feet of the basket in which Houston would love to be able to succeed.
Three-Pointers Matter
Houston will try to make up for its struggles with scoring inside by making lots of threes.
The Rockets easily rank in the upper half in three-pointers per game.
Houston's ability to keep up with Sacramento's three-point shooting will be rather decisive because the Kings, too, love to shoot threes -- they attempt three more per game than the Rockets.
Stronger Perimeter Defense
Sacramento's perimeter defense has the edge over Houston's.
First of all, the Kings rank a superb sixth at limiting opposing three-point attempts.
Conversely, Houston ranks last in the category.
Furthermore, the Rockets allow wide-open three-point attempts with the highest frequency and open three-point attempts with the fourth-highest frequency.
These stats indicate that Houston is vastly worse than Sacramento at guarding the three-point line and at contesting opposing three-point shot attempts.
Key Weapons
The Kings' three-point efficiency will constitute one of its primary means of exploiting Houston's defensive weaknesses.
Among others, look out for high-volume three-point shooter Kevin Huerter.
He is converting 39.7-percent of his three-point attempts so far.
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Utah Jazz
Wednesday, February 8, 2023 at 9 p.m. ET at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City
Recent History
The recent games between these two teams indicate Utah's reliable ability to score a lot on Minnesota's defense.
In their last game against Minnesota, the Jazz scored 126 points.
Now, the fact that they mustered 108 points in their second-to-last game against the Timberwolves might seem to suggest that Utah's offense is not actually reliable against the Timberwolves.
But the Jazz should have scored a lot more in that game than they did.
To explain, they mustered a superbly high 26 wide-open three-point attempts.
They simply failed to take advantage of their opportunities, as they shot 26.9 percent on those wide-open attempts.
We have to play the percentages and expect Utah to thrive from behind the arc tonight.
Minnesota's Offensive Outlook
The Timberwolves also look promising on offense tonight because Utah's defense has regressed since dealing away star rim protector Rudy Gobert.
The Jazz allow the seventh-most field goals within five feet of the basket, showing the relative vulnerability of their current rim protection.
Minnesota is primed to exploit such a vulnerability because it loves to attack the basket.
Look out, among others, for the momentous rim-attacking to which Minnesota guard Anthony Edwards is committed.
In this game, then, both offenses will be comfortable doing the things that they're most inclined to do.
Parlay Verdict
For the above reasons, expect Sacramento to ride stronger inside scoring, three-point shooting, and superior perimeter defense to cover on the road against a Rocket team that often gets blown out wherever it goes.
Also expect a high-scoring affair between Minnesota and Utah in which offenses rule.
Best Bet: Parlay Kings -8 at -110 & Timberwolves/Jazz over 236 at -110 at +264 odds with BetOnline
Sacramento Kings vs. Houston Rockets
Wednesday, February 8, 2023 at 8 p.m. ET at Toyota Center in Houston
Houston's Shot Profile
Likely influenced by analytics, Houston generally tries either to attack the basket or to shoot three-pointers.
The former endeavor tends to fail -- the Rockets are one of the least efficient teams at scoring within five feet of the opponent's basket.
Teams in general score inside the arc by using good ball movement to open up space around the basket in which players may attempt higher-percentage shots.
But the Rockets lack the necessary point guard play to generate good ball movement to any consistent extent.
In fact, their official depth chart lists Kevin Porter Jr., at the position, although he is a shooting guard and not a point guard.
Porter Jr. is also injured. His injured foot has led to his being ruled out for tonight's game.
Jae'Sean Tate, a small forward, is the next man up on Houston's depth chart at the point guard position.
These disadvantages help explain why the Rockets own the third-worst field goal percentage within five feet of the basket.
They lack the weaponry to exploit a King interior defense that is relatively vulnerable, although it is far from being the worst at defending the space within five feet of the basket in which Houston would love to be able to succeed.
Three-Pointers Matter
Houston will try to make up for its struggles with scoring inside by making lots of threes.
The Rockets easily rank in the upper half in three-pointers per game.
Houston's ability to keep up with Sacramento's three-point shooting will be rather decisive because the Kings, too, love to shoot threes -- they attempt three more per game than the Rockets.
Stronger Perimeter Defense
Sacramento's perimeter defense has the edge over Houston's.
First of all, the Kings rank a superb sixth at limiting opposing three-point attempts.
Conversely, Houston ranks last in the category.
Furthermore, the Rockets allow wide-open three-point attempts with the highest frequency and open three-point attempts with the fourth-highest frequency.
These stats indicate that Houston is vastly worse than Sacramento at guarding the three-point line and at contesting opposing three-point shot attempts.
Key Weapons
The Kings' three-point efficiency will constitute one of its primary means of exploiting Houston's defensive weaknesses.
Among others, look out for high-volume three-point shooter Kevin Huerter.
He is converting 39.7-percent of his three-point attempts so far.
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Utah Jazz
Wednesday, February 8, 2023 at 9 p.m. ET at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City
Recent History
The recent games between these two teams indicate Utah's reliable ability to score a lot on Minnesota's defense.
In their last game against Minnesota, the Jazz scored 126 points.
Now, the fact that they mustered 108 points in their second-to-last game against the Timberwolves might seem to suggest that Utah's offense is not actually reliable against the Timberwolves.
But the Jazz should have scored a lot more in that game than they did.
To explain, they mustered a superbly high 26 wide-open three-point attempts.
They simply failed to take advantage of their opportunities, as they shot 26.9 percent on those wide-open attempts.
We have to play the percentages and expect Utah to thrive from behind the arc tonight.
Minnesota's Offensive Outlook
The Timberwolves also look promising on offense tonight because Utah's defense has regressed since dealing away star rim protector Rudy Gobert.
The Jazz allow the seventh-most field goals within five feet of the basket, showing the relative vulnerability of their current rim protection.
Minnesota is primed to exploit such a vulnerability because it loves to attack the basket.
Look out, among others, for the momentous rim-attacking to which Minnesota guard Anthony Edwards is committed.
In this game, then, both offenses will be comfortable doing the things that they're most inclined to do.
Parlay Verdict
For the above reasons, expect Sacramento to ride stronger inside scoring, three-point shooting, and superior perimeter defense to cover on the road against a Rocket team that often gets blown out wherever it goes.
Also expect a high-scoring affair between Minnesota and Utah in which offenses rule.
