NBA Betting Picks for Monday 2/5/24: Game Totals Take the Cake

The 82-game NBA regular season offers us a wide variety of betting options, including point spreads, moneylines, and totals. The Association features 1,230 regular season games, which can make sifting through the odds an overwhelming task.

However, various advanced statistics can help narrow the choices. numberFire's NBA power rankings and daily projections paired with advanced stats from the NBA can help give the inside track to winning big.

While utilizing some of the mentioned tools, which NBA odds from FanDuel Sportsbook look like the best bets today?

Please note lines are subject to change throughout the day after this article is published.

NBA Best Bets

Sacramento Kings at Cleveland Cavaliers

Under 235 (-110)

The Sacramento Kings' brutal seven-game road trip comes to an end tonight against the Cleveland Cavaliers. But this could be the toughest test yet as the Cavs carry a 9-1 record over their last 10 games and are on a five-game winning streak.

Cleveland's hallmark has been their elite defense, which has the second-best rating in the NBA. During the Cavaliers' five-game winning streak, opponents are averaging only 106.2 points per game (PPG) while shooting 43.8% from the field. The defense is capable of answering the bell against Sacramento. For example, the Kings take the third-most three-point shots per contest, and Cleveland gives up the eighth-fewest three-point attempts each game.

However, the Cavs could have some concerns in the frontcourt. Jarrett Allen (111.1 defensive rating) is questionable with an ankle sprain and would be sorely missed with Domantas Sabonis -- who averages 19.9 PPG and 13.0 rebounds per game (RPG) -- manning the Kings' frontcourt. Still, I like Cleveland's chances of making this another low-scoring game due to their 12th-slowest pace in the league.

When looking at the Kings' defense, it solidifies numberFire's suggestion for the under. The Cavaliers launch the 10th-most three-point shots per game, and Sacramento gives up the 12th-fewest attempts each contest. The Kings' three-point defense has been a bit misfortunate with opponents shooting a blistering 39.0% from deep (second-worst for defense) on the season. However, Sacramento has finally gotten this mark down with four of the last five opponents shooting 36.1% or worse from three.

With the under going 4-1 in Cleveland's past five contests, I am backing the under once again.

Golden State Warriors at Brooklyn Nets

Over 237.5 (-108)

I'm looking at another total for the Golden State Warriors against the Brooklyn Nets, but this time I'm going in the opposite direction. Neither team has an elite offense with the Warriors carrying the 11th-best rating while the Nets have the 16th-best mark. But after looking at each unit's recent production, it's easy to see why I'm siding with the over.

Golden State has logged 130.8 PPG with a 51.6% field goal percentage (FG%) and 41.2% three-point percentage over their previous six games. Brooklyn's offense has also been like steaming hot lava with 134.3 PPG, a 51.7 FG%, and a 42.2% three-point percentage over their last three contests.

Both teams' three-point defenses look like glaring weaknesses with the Warriors giving up the 8th-most three-point shots per game and Nets allowing the 14th-most. Stephen Curry (28.1 PPG) and Klay Thompson (17.3 PPG) could be poised for big games as Brooklyn's backcourt of Spencer Dinwiddie (117.4 defensive rating) and Mikal Bridges (116.8 defensive rating) have underwhelming defensive ratings. The same can be said on the other side of the court with Curry's 120.1 defensive rating and Thompson's mark of 121.3.

The backcourts could be in store for big scoring games, which plays right into both squads' hands as the bulk of their points come from their guards and wings.

Each defense also ranks among the top nine worst marks in fastbreak points allowed per game. Good looks in the open court could only cause the pace of this game to pick up, pointing to even more points.

Considering these offenses' recent success and the weak defenses, this game could be bound for the over.

Los Angeles Clippers at Atlanta Hawks

Clippers -3 (-110)

The Atlanta Hawks have suddenly found their footing with a four-game winning streak while going 3-1 against the spread. They've done it on the back of their high-scoring offense, which has totaled 133.5 PPG during the four-game stretch. Over the past three games, Atlanta has played at a furious pace, averaging 103.3 field goal attempts and 41.7 three-point shots per contest.

The Hawks may meet their match tonight against the Los Angeles Clippers. They play at the fifth-slowest pace, while the Hawks have the fourth-quickest tempo. Controlling the tempo of the game can often be decided by the possession battle. This category is pretty even across the board with both squads ranking among the top nine in offensive rebounding percentage while also sitting among the bottom eight in defensive rebounding percentage. Plus, each team sits in the top seven teams in steals per game.

This could simply come down to who has the best defense. This seems like an obvious answer with L.A. touting the 11th-best defensive rating while Atlanta has the 4th-worst defensive rating. The Hawks' three-point defense could be a big problem as they give up the 10th-most shots per contest, and the Clippers have the best three-point percentage in the Association. Los Angeles' three-point barrage has continued to scorch the nets with a 42.9% shooting percentage over the past three games.

Atlanta's Trae Young has played a major factor in the recent success with 30.6 PPG over his last six games. James Harden will likely draw the defensive task, and he has surprisingly been solid for the Clips with a 113.2 defensive rating.

Los Angeles is 8-2 and 7-3 ATS over their previous 10 games, and they are 4-2 ATS in their last six contests on the road. Thanks to the Clippers owning the best defense of this matchup, I like L.A. to cover in Atlanta.

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The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.