NBA Expert Picks: Our Staff’s Favorite Bets for Wolves-76ers, 3 More Tuesday Games

There are six games on tap Tuesday night starting at 7 p.m. ET. That means there are plenty of betting opportunities in the marketplace. Let's dive into some of our experts' favorite wagers.

This piece will cover the following games:

• Phoenix Suns at Indiana Pacers: 7 p.m. ET
• Minnesota Timberwolves at Philadelphia 76ers: 7 p.m. ET
• Golden State Warriors at Denver Nuggets: 9 p.m. ET
• Chicago Bulls at Los Angeles Lakers: 10:30 p.m. ET

Rob Perez: Nuggets-Warriors Under 228

I’m sorry, what am I missing here? This is not the high-paced Mile High Nuggets of old. This Denver team is a defensive fortress that forces you to play its gritty, half-court style and funnels you into the paint where the Agent of Chaos awaits any prospective rim-attacker.

The Nuggets are fourth in points allowed per game, 10th in Defensive Rating and are the third-slowest paced team in the entire NBA. The last time they played the Warriors in Denver, the final score was 100-98.

This is a potential Western Conference Finals matchup; it looked that way the first time they faced off and, more importantly, it played that way.

Halfcourt offenses. Rim warfare. Game 7.

While I don’t think the total will stay under 200 again, expect this game to resemble those Knicks-Heat Sunday matinee NBA on NBC games where every bucket feels like a world war.

If the total goes over, it’s because the teams just couldn’t miss all night. I’m willing to bet against it.

Ken Barkley: Timberwolves +6 vs. 76ers

This is an intriguing game because of some off-court storylines — Jimmy Butler facing his old team, etc. — but considering Tom Thibodeau isn’t Minnesota’s coach anymore and Robert Covington isn’t going to play, it’s not the sexiest of storylines.

There are two compelling trends converging here: First, Minnesota has been flat-out been better than Philadelphia recently. If you use efficiencies and four-factor information from recent periods — the past 15 days, month, etc. — this line should be about -2.5/-3.

It’s also an odd travel situation for Philadelphia. This is the Sixers' fifth game in the past eight days, and they’ve alternated road and home leading into Tuesday night. It doesn’t stand out as much on paper because it’s not a West Coast swing, but it still matters.

Meanwhile, Minnesota’s had two days off after two games at home. One of the most important things I’ve learned this season doing NBA sides for the first time seriously is the significant impact of rest differences between the teams.

Combining recent play with fatigue, and without recent significant injuries (Derrick Rose is scheduled to play), I like Minnesota at +6.

Evan Abrams: Suns (+10.5), First Half (+6), First Quarter (+3.5) vs. Pacers

I'm splitting my one-unit bet into thirds here.

The Pacers are returning home after a five-game road trip during which they beat the Knicks, shooting 52% and hitting 12 three-pointers on Friday night. Meanwhile, the Suns just got a win at home against the Nuggets and have actually covered the spread in three straight games.

I think there is a chance Indiana comes out flat in this one after returning home after a long road trip against the worst team in the West. The goal is to cash two of the three bets to secure a profit.

My real advice, though? Don’t watch this one.

Bryan Mears: Bulls-Lakers Under 215.5

With LeBron James out, the Lakers have been an under machine, going under in each of their past five games.

They're playing slightly faster without him, but their offense has predictably tanked in efficiency:

• Lakers with LeBron on: 101.9 pace, 110.9 Offensive Rating, 54.1% eFG%
• Lakers with LeBron off: 102.7 pace, 105.9 Offensive Rating, 50.9% eFG%

Tuesday night's matchup is an easy one — the Bulls rank 22nd on defense this season — but the Lakers on Sunday put up just 95 points in a home game against the Cavs, who rank dead last defensively.

The under is 26-17 in Bulls games this season. And it's 28-16 in Lakers games, including 16-7 at home. Yeah, I'll keep riding that.

Editor’s note: The opinions on this game are from the individual writers and are based on their research, analysis and perspective. They are independent of, and may not always match with, the algorithm-driven Best Bets from Sports Insights.