NBA Parlay for Tuesday's Slate ( ) Features No-Defense Lakers and Underdog Rockets
Best Bet: Parlay Lakers/Celtics Over 235.5 at -105 & Rockets +14.5 at -105 at +271 odds with BetOnline
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Orlando Magic
Tuesday, December 27, 2022 at 7 p.m. ET at Amway Center in Orlando
The No-Defense Lakers
People commonly talk of offenses being in a groove or being in a rut.
But I've never understood why people don't talk of defenses in the same way.
After all, defense involves a lot of the same basic things that offense does: communication, chemistry, teamwork, and execution.
Right now, the Laker defense is in a rut: L.A. has allowed well over 120 points in each of their past four games.
Take the Lakers' last game as an example of their defense being in a rut.
They were down 99-87 and the Mavericks had possession.
Defenders are supposed to position themselves in ways that allow them to help each other out.
In this play, Pat Beverley was chasing the Maverick ball-handler.
Instead of supporting Beverley by pressuring that ball-handler, LeBron remained in drop coverage, effectively doing nothing.
The Maverick ball-handler was thus unpressured and could easily toss up in alley-oop.
This play shows how the Laker defense is not clicking.
Missing Anthony Davis
But the Laker defense's problems run deeper.
The notion of players being in a rut emphasizes that they might have the ability, the quality within themselves, to perform better.
However, L.A.'s defense is of lower quality without Anthony Davis, the perennial Defensive Player of the Year candidate who is injured and is listed as 'out indefinitely.'
The point is that L.A.'s defense will, eventually, improve relative to its current form, but that its ceiling is not as high as it would be with Davis.
So, in playing the "over," we take advantage of the Laker defense's ongoing rut and of their lower ceiling minus Davis' rim protection.
Missing A Top Rim-Protector
Having a rim protector is huge for a defense.
Obviously, he helps guard the basket to prevent the opponent from scoring the easiest possible points.
But he also helps his defense guard the perimeter because perimeter defenders can afford to guard their man more closely when they have less reason to fear the ball-handler driving past them and scoring at the basket.
Knowing that they have Davis behind them, Laker perimeter defenders could afford to be more aggressive.
Magic Scoring Inside and Outside the Arc
Without having to contend with Davis, especially Paolo Banchero, Wendell Carter, and Bol Bol will have an easier time scoring inside -- these are the Magic forwards and bigs who are most inclined to score at the basket.
But also look for an uptick in scoring from point guard Markelle Fultz, who is characteristically know for being an able and aggressive driver.
As evident in his high assist numbers, he has been more of a facilitator. But he'll face less resistance at the basket now when he goes in to score.
Given Davis' absence, it is unsurprising that most recent Laker opponents have been averaging over 38 percent from three-point land.
Plenty of Magic players can take advantage of this trend.
Among others, Banchero has been having a lot of strong performances in terms of three-point shooting.
Also, shooting guard Gary Harris is back in action. He's converting 44 percent of his three-point attempts this season.
Lakers Can Keep Pace
Laker scoring will ensure that this game goes "over."
Characteristically, L.A. wants to attack the basket.
Obviously, LeBron is one of the NBA's all-time best at scoring in the paint.
He and Russell Westbrook, who is known for his explosiveness in attacking the basket, are having to do more offensively.
They'll thrive against a Magic defense that allows the third-highest field goal percentage within five feet of the basket.
Houston Rockets vs. Boston Celtics
Tuesday, December 27, 2022 at 7:30 p.m. ET at TD Garden in Boston
Key Trend
Houston is constantly competitive when oddsmakers imply that they won't be.
The Rockets have covered their last five games when dogged by six or more points.
Houston's Star
A big reason for Houston's success is Jalen Green's growth.
The Rockets tend to be better when Green is better.
Green is important to Houston's success because the Rockets rely on him to score in many different ways.
He is a high-volume three-point shooter, but he also ably attacks the basket.
Last season, Boston was one of his favorite teams to play against, as evident in his scoring average against the Celtics compared to other teams that he faced multiple times.
Boston's Star
Boston relies extensively on Jayson Tatum.
But Tatum is due to fall back to Earth tonight after exceeding 40 points in his last game.
In six tries so far, he has yet to score 40 points in consecutive games.
Boston's Sandwich Spot
The Celtics are coming off a massive win over the defending champs.
They also have a big game coming up -- their next opponent is the Clippers, who are fourth in the West right now.
Lowly Houston sits in the middle. This is therefore a classic combined let-down and look-ahead spot for Boston.
Best Bet: Parlay Lakers/Celtics Over 235.5 at -105 & Rockets +14.5 at -105 at +271 odds with BetOnline
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Orlando Magic
Tuesday, December 27, 2022 at 7 p.m. ET at Amway Center in Orlando
The No-Defense Lakers
People commonly talk of offenses being in a groove or being in a rut.
But I've never understood why people don't talk of defenses in the same way.
After all, defense involves a lot of the same basic things that offense does: communication, chemistry, teamwork, and execution.
Right now, the Laker defense is in a rut: L.A. has allowed well over 120 points in each of their past four games.
Take the Lakers' last game as an example of their defense being in a rut.
They were down 99-87 and the Mavericks had possession.
Defenders are supposed to position themselves in ways that allow them to help each other out.
In this play, Pat Beverley was chasing the Maverick ball-handler.
Instead of supporting Beverley by pressuring that ball-handler, LeBron remained in drop coverage, effectively doing nothing.
The Maverick ball-handler was thus unpressured and could easily toss up in alley-oop.
This play shows how the Laker defense is not clicking.
Missing Anthony Davis
But the Laker defense's problems run deeper.
The notion of players being in a rut emphasizes that they might have the ability, the quality within themselves, to perform better.
However, L.A.'s defense is of lower quality without Anthony Davis, the perennial Defensive Player of the Year candidate who is injured and is listed as 'out indefinitely.'
The point is that L.A.'s defense will, eventually, improve relative to its current form, but that its ceiling is not as high as it would be with Davis.
So, in playing the "over," we take advantage of the Laker defense's ongoing rut and of their lower ceiling minus Davis' rim protection.
Missing A Top Rim-Protector
Having a rim protector is huge for a defense.
Obviously, he helps guard the basket to prevent the opponent from scoring the easiest possible points.
But he also helps his defense guard the perimeter because perimeter defenders can afford to guard their man more closely when they have less reason to fear the ball-handler driving past them and scoring at the basket.
Knowing that they have Davis behind them, Laker perimeter defenders could afford to be more aggressive.
Magic Scoring Inside and Outside the Arc
Without having to contend with Davis, especially Paolo Banchero, Wendell Carter, and Bol Bol will have an easier time scoring inside -- these are the Magic forwards and bigs who are most inclined to score at the basket.
But also look for an uptick in scoring from point guard Markelle Fultz, who is characteristically know for being an able and aggressive driver.
As evident in his high assist numbers, he has been more of a facilitator. But he'll face less resistance at the basket now when he goes in to score.
Given Davis' absence, it is unsurprising that most recent Laker opponents have been averaging over 38 percent from three-point land.
Plenty of Magic players can take advantage of this trend.
Among others, Banchero has been having a lot of strong performances in terms of three-point shooting.
Also, shooting guard Gary Harris is back in action. He's converting 44 percent of his three-point attempts this season.
Lakers Can Keep Pace
Laker scoring will ensure that this game goes "over."
Characteristically, L.A. wants to attack the basket.
Obviously, LeBron is one of the NBA's all-time best at scoring in the paint.
He and Russell Westbrook, who is known for his explosiveness in attacking the basket, are having to do more offensively.
They'll thrive against a Magic defense that allows the third-highest field goal percentage within five feet of the basket.
Houston Rockets vs. Boston Celtics
Tuesday, December 27, 2022 at 7:30 p.m. ET at TD Garden in Boston
Key Trend
Houston is constantly competitive when oddsmakers imply that they won't be.
The Rockets have covered their last five games when dogged by six or more points.
Houston's Star
A big reason for Houston's success is Jalen Green's growth.
The Rockets tend to be better when Green is better.
Green is important to Houston's success because the Rockets rely on him to score in many different ways.
He is a high-volume three-point shooter, but he also ably attacks the basket.
Last season, Boston was one of his favorite teams to play against, as evident in his scoring average against the Celtics compared to other teams that he faced multiple times.
Boston's Star
Boston relies extensively on Jayson Tatum.
But Tatum is due to fall back to Earth tonight after exceeding 40 points in his last game.
In six tries so far, he has yet to score 40 points in consecutive games.
Boston's Sandwich Spot
The Celtics are coming off a massive win over the defending champs.
They also have a big game coming up -- their next opponent is the Clippers, who are fourth in the West right now.
Lowly Houston sits in the middle. This is therefore a classic combined let-down and look-ahead spot for Boston.
