Can the Pacers pounce on the struggling Clippers?
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Basketball fans can exhale after a hectic four full days of March Madness. While the Big Dance doesn't resume until Thursday, the NBA is still chugging along.
There's much to figure out before the playoffs begin in a few weeks. Oddsmakers aren't expecting many close contests Monday night, with nine of the 11 games having a point spread of at least 8 points. Regardless, here are our best bets.
Sixers team total: Under 106.5 points
The Sixers are finishing up a brutal four-game West Coast road trip in Sacramento. They take on the Kings on the second night of a back-to-back after also visiting the Suns, Lakers, and Clippers.
In addition, Monday's game will be Philadelphia's fourth in the last six days. It's fair to expect a lethargic and tired performance from the Sixers.
Philadelphia's offense has been the NBA's sixth-worst since the All-Star break without Joel Embiid. The Sixers' 121-point performance Sunday against the Clippers was an anomaly, not the norm. Before then, they hadn't reached 107 points in six of their last seven games.
Odds: -115 (playable to -125)
Pacers team total: Over 113.5
The Clippers are in a rut. They've lost five of their last eight games and are closer to fifth place in the West than they are first. Los Angeles' energy has diminished since Russell Westbrook's injury, but even the Clippers' stars aren't playing with the intensity they were a couple of months ago.
That's reflected in how porous L.A.'s defense has been recently. It's the NBA's fifth-worst unit since the All-Star break.
The Clippers are also on the latter half of a back-to-back and playing for the fourth time in six nights. Meanwhile, the Pacers continue to have one of the league's best offenses. They've scored at least 114 points in six of their last seven games. Indiana should score at ease against a fatigued and struggling Clippers squad.
Odds: -120
Hornets @ Cavaliers (-11.5, O/U 206)
Fading teams facing difficult schedules is the theme of Monday's picks. The Cavaliers are playing on a back-to-back, for the third time in four nights, and for the fourth time in six nights.
It's never easy betting on a team as bad as the Hornets, but Cleveland has dropped three straight without Donovan Mitchell. I wouldn't expect an outright loss from the Cavs on Monday, but Charlotte's young core should have enough fight to keep the game competitive against this Mitchell-less squad.
In addition, Cleveland is 4-7-1 against the spread with no rest and 7-12 when facing a rest disadvantage.
Pick: Hornets +11.5
Suns @ Spurs (+12, O/U 234)
The Suns demolished the Spurs 131-106 on Saturday. However, Phoenix has shown inconsistent effort all season, so a rematch following a blowout could favor a youthful and prideful Spurs group.
San Antonio has continued to exhibit maximum effort in most of its games despite having the West's worst record. I don't expect the Spurs to upset the Suns, but they should hang around for most of the game. At least more than they did Saturday.
Pick: Spurs +12
Sam Oshtry is a sports betting writer at theScore. You can follow him on X @soshtry for more betting coverage.