Filip Tomic
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A new week begins and the NBA has treated us with an 11-game slate this Monday. The two biggest games are in Atlanta and Sacramento, where the Celtics and Hawks square off before the Kings host the 76ers. You can catch both of those games live on NBA TV, and I’ve included one of them in tonight’s NBA mega parlay. You can also find out our NBA picks for today’s top matchups.
Celtics -11.5 (-112)
Mavericks -8 (-110)
Pacers ML (+205)
NBA parlay odds: +1002
Boston Celtics -11.5 over Atlanta Hawks (-112)
The Celtics just clinched their division and now they have their eyes set on doing so for the conference and the overall record of the regular season. Standing in their way are the injury-riddled Atlanta Hawks, a team they’ve already beaten twice this season. Despite not having Jaylen Brown, Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday, the Celtics took care of business in Saturday’s win over the Bulls. This is a well-oiled machine — starters are taking nights off resting and it doesn’t seem to have any negative impact whatsoever on the quality of play.
They’ve had quite a lot of success in recent meetings with Atlanta, winning 11 of the last 13 meetings and covering the spread in 10 of those games. The Celtics are also 4-1 ATS in their last 5 visits to State Farm Arena and currently on an 8-0 run against teams from the Southeast Division. Back Boston to dominate here.
Read our full Boston Celtics vs Atlanta Hawks predictions
Dallas Mavericks -8 over Utah Jazz (-110)
Other than the Celtics and Rockets, who are on long win streaks, the Dallas Mavericks might be the next most in-form team in the NBA. Doncic and company have won 7 of 8 games and have also covered 7 times in that period. This team is a nightly highlight reel and last weekend they outgunned the defending champions in a 107-105 win and have since taken down the Spurs and Jazz.
Coincidentally, Utah is their opponent tonight and I’m expecting the Mavericks to sweep the regular season series here. They’ve owned this team in all 3 meetings so far this year, winning by 50, 37 and 16 points. The Jazz are on a 5-game losing streak right now, and each of those 5 losses were by double-digits. The Houston Rockets just wiped them out 147-119 on Saturday. Count on more Luka magic here as the Mavericks win and cover on the road.
Read our full Dallas Mavericks vs Utah Jazz predictions
Indiana Pacers ML over Los Angeles Clippers (+205)
Both teams played and lost on Sunday so there’s really no rest advantage for either side here. Indiana put up a solid effort in a 150-145 defeat at the hands of the Lakers, while the Clippers laid an egg at home against the lowly Philadelphia 76ers. The last month or so have been quite concerning if you’re a Clippers fan. They’re just 10-10 over their last 20 games, plus in their last 9 games against winning teams since the all-star break they’ve recorded just 1 win.
I wouldn’t be discouraged by the Pacers’ loss last night to the Lakers, as from Indiana’s standpoint they did everything they could in that game but just got outscored down the stretch. Indy is 5-1 ATS in their last 6 on the road, plus 5-3 in their last 8 overall. They’re in good shooting form and Tyrese Haliburton is finally out of his three-point slump. I think Pacers fans have every right to hope for a win against the struggling Clippers. Take the road team on the money line.
Read our full Indiana Pacers vs Los Angeles Clippers predictions
