NBA Parlay Picks of the Day
Indiana Pacers vs. Dallas Mavericks
Friday, March 26, 2021 at 8:30 p.m. ET at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas
Myles Turner
In the form of center Myles Turner, Indiana enjoys top-level rim protection
Turner has entered into consideration for Defensive Player of the Year as he leads the NBA with 3.4 blocks per game.
His interior presence also alters the way that the entire Pacer defense functions.
Perimeter Defense
Turner has been vocal about his desire to have his teammates funnel opposing players to him.
With Turner behind him, Pacer defenders guard more closely along the perimeter.
As a result of their aggressiveness, Pacer perimeter defenders are great at running opponents off the three-point line.
They currently rank third-best in limiting opposing three-point attempts.
It is hard to get open looks from behind the arc against Indiana’s defense.
Indiana allows the third-lowest rate of open three-point attempts and the sixth-lowest rate of wide open three-point attempts.
These two stats mean that Pacer defenders are more frequently near enough to opposing three-point shooters in order to contest their shot attempts.
Dallas Offense vs. Indiana Defense
It’s important to note that Indiana has a strong perimeter defense because the Maverick offense is rather reliant on the three-ball.
Dallas attempts the fifth-most three-pointers as its offense is largely predicated on getting guys in position to attempt a shot from deep.
One thing that Dallas will do to free up a three-point shooter is set a ball-screen for the ball-handler.
So not only perimeter defense, but also ball-screen defense is important against Dallas.
Defensively, Indiana is in a good position tonight because it allows the sixth-fewest points per game against the pick-and-roll for the ball-handler.
As measured by PPP (points per possession), the Pacers could improve mightily in its ball-screen defense after the departure of Victor Oladipo as they are loaded with more able ball-screen defenders like Malcolm Brogdon.
The Mavericks will spread out the Pacer defense in order to test individual perimeter defenders, who will close out hard.
Maverick players will also try to free up space for teammates to drive towards the rim where they’ll have to contend with the likes of Turner.
Indiana Offense vs. Dallas Defense
Offensively, Indiana is very reliant on scoring inside.
With guys like Malcolm Brogdon and even characteristic shooters like Doug McDermott attacking the hoop, the Pacers attempt the most field goals within five feet of the basket.
This offensive focus makes them match up poorly with Dallas’ rather conservative defensive style.
The Mavericks are known for their drop coverage and other ball-screen coverages designed to protect the paint.
They allow the seventh-lowest rate of field goals within five feet of the basket because they like to push opponents back towards the perimeter.
Atlanta Hawks vs. Golden State Warriors
Friday, March 26, 2021 at 10 p.m. ET (ESPN) at Chase Center in San Francisco, California
Poor ATS Run
Currently, Golden State is suffering an 0-3 ATS run.
One problem is the absence of star Steph Curry, who will remain out due to inflammation in his tailbone.
Curry is crucial for the Warrior offense as it is relatively dependent on him. He ranks fourth in the NBA and leads the team with 29 points per game.
Warrior Offense vs. Hawk Defense
Largely thanks to Curry, the Warriors rely rather heavily on converting three-point opportunities.
They attempt the seventh-most threes per game. Their three-point percentage is as high as it is because of Curry, who is the only player on the team to convert at least 40 percent of his three-pointers while attempting at least two threes per game.
So without him, an already strong Hawk perimeter defense has all the less to worry about.
For its perimeter defense, Atlanta benefits from the return and presence of De’Andre Hunter, whose combination of length and lateral foot speed has made him.a strongly reputed defender since his college days.
Thanks to the likes of Hunter, the Hawks rank fourth-best at limiting opposing three-point percentage.
Atlanta Offense vs. Golden State Defense
Golden State regularly allows a lot of points to teams that are more reliant for their scoring on the pick-and-roll for the ball-handler.
Only five teams score more points per game off of this play type than Atlanta does: Utah, Dallas, Portland, New York, and Chicago.
Against these teams, the Warriors allow an average of 120.2 points per game.
If 120.2 points per game were a season-long statistic, then the Warriors would rank last-place in scoring defense.
But they only rank 22nd-place in the category because they do not normally face such ball-screen-reliant offenses.
Atlanta, though, ranks sixth in frequency of pick-and-roll plays run for the ball-handler.
Point guard Trae Young lives with this play type. He’s a shifty ball-handler who can pull up for a jumper or lob to a teammate at the rim.
Parlay Verdict
Indiana, with its strong perimeter defense, and Dallas, with its devotion to protecting the paint, will limit what the other offense likes to do.
Atlanta’s defense matches up well with the Warriors, who will struggle extra without Curry, and who will struggle on defense against an offense well-versed in running screens for its star point guard.
Best Bet: Pacers/Mavericks Under 227 at -108 & Hawks -5.5 at -108 at +271 odds with Heritage
Indiana Pacers vs. Dallas Mavericks
Friday, March 26, 2021 at 8:30 p.m. ET at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas
Myles Turner
In the form of center Myles Turner, Indiana enjoys top-level rim protection
Turner has entered into consideration for Defensive Player of the Year as he leads the NBA with 3.4 blocks per game.
His interior presence also alters the way that the entire Pacer defense functions.
Perimeter Defense
Turner has been vocal about his desire to have his teammates funnel opposing players to him.
With Turner behind him, Pacer defenders guard more closely along the perimeter.
As a result of their aggressiveness, Pacer perimeter defenders are great at running opponents off the three-point line.
They currently rank third-best in limiting opposing three-point attempts.
It is hard to get open looks from behind the arc against Indiana’s defense.
Indiana allows the third-lowest rate of open three-point attempts and the sixth-lowest rate of wide open three-point attempts.
These two stats mean that Pacer defenders are more frequently near enough to opposing three-point shooters in order to contest their shot attempts.
Dallas Offense vs. Indiana Defense
It’s important to note that Indiana has a strong perimeter defense because the Maverick offense is rather reliant on the three-ball.
Dallas attempts the fifth-most three-pointers as its offense is largely predicated on getting guys in position to attempt a shot from deep.
One thing that Dallas will do to free up a three-point shooter is set a ball-screen for the ball-handler.
So not only perimeter defense, but also ball-screen defense is important against Dallas.
Defensively, Indiana is in a good position tonight because it allows the sixth-fewest points per game against the pick-and-roll for the ball-handler.
As measured by PPP (points per possession), the Pacers could improve mightily in its ball-screen defense after the departure of Victor Oladipo as they are loaded with more able ball-screen defenders like Malcolm Brogdon.
The Mavericks will spread out the Pacer defense in order to test individual perimeter defenders, who will close out hard.
Maverick players will also try to free up space for teammates to drive towards the rim where they’ll have to contend with the likes of Turner.
Indiana Offense vs. Dallas Defense
Offensively, Indiana is very reliant on scoring inside.
With guys like Malcolm Brogdon and even characteristic shooters like Doug McDermott attacking the hoop, the Pacers attempt the most field goals within five feet of the basket.
This offensive focus makes them match up poorly with Dallas’ rather conservative defensive style.
The Mavericks are known for their drop coverage and other ball-screen coverages designed to protect the paint.
They allow the seventh-lowest rate of field goals within five feet of the basket because they like to push opponents back towards the perimeter.
Atlanta Hawks vs. Golden State Warriors
Friday, March 26, 2021 at 10 p.m. ET (ESPN) at Chase Center in San Francisco, California
Poor ATS Run
Currently, Golden State is suffering an 0-3 ATS run.
One problem is the absence of star Steph Curry, who will remain out due to inflammation in his tailbone.
Curry is crucial for the Warrior offense as it is relatively dependent on him. He ranks fourth in the NBA and leads the team with 29 points per game.
Warrior Offense vs. Hawk Defense
Largely thanks to Curry, the Warriors rely rather heavily on converting three-point opportunities.
They attempt the seventh-most threes per game. Their three-point percentage is as high as it is because of Curry, who is the only player on the team to convert at least 40 percent of his three-pointers while attempting at least two threes per game.
So without him, an already strong Hawk perimeter defense has all the less to worry about.
For its perimeter defense, Atlanta benefits from the return and presence of De’Andre Hunter, whose combination of length and lateral foot speed has made him.a strongly reputed defender since his college days.
Thanks to the likes of Hunter, the Hawks rank fourth-best at limiting opposing three-point percentage.
Atlanta Offense vs. Golden State Defense
Golden State regularly allows a lot of points to teams that are more reliant for their scoring on the pick-and-roll for the ball-handler.
Only five teams score more points per game off of this play type than Atlanta does: Utah, Dallas, Portland, New York, and Chicago.
Against these teams, the Warriors allow an average of 120.2 points per game.
If 120.2 points per game were a season-long statistic, then the Warriors would rank last-place in scoring defense.
But they only rank 22nd-place in the category because they do not normally face such ball-screen-reliant offenses.
Atlanta, though, ranks sixth in frequency of pick-and-roll plays run for the ball-handler.
Point guard Trae Young lives with this play type. He’s a shifty ball-handler who can pull up for a jumper or lob to a teammate at the rim.
Parlay Verdict
Indiana, with its strong perimeter defense, and Dallas, with its devotion to protecting the paint, will limit what the other offense likes to do.
Atlanta’s defense matches up well with the Warriors, who will struggle extra without Curry, and who will struggle on defense against an offense well-versed in running screens for its star point guard.
Best Bet: Pacers/Mavericks Under 227 at -108 & Hawks -5.5 at -108 at +271 odds with Heritage
