The 2022-23 NBA season is officially here. For some, it’s a new beginning, a chance to compete for a title. For those teams, this is a time of great hope and anticipation. For others, it’s already on to the offseason, who just have to play 82 games in order to advance to the next season. It’s just like taking those required classes in school that serve you no purpose or interest. They just have to be done. Grin and bear it. So whether it’s Victor Wembanyama watch or a run to the NBA Finals, we’ll be here the entire way. And what better way to get it started than with a “Sweat Free” promo from FanDuel Sportsbook? For tonight’s action, we will target a game featuring two of the league’s best offenses out in the borough of Brooklyn.
Brandon Ingram 6+ assists (+138)
As the New Orleans Pelicans get set to tip off the season, many might expect Brandon Ingram to be a scoring threat with a total points line set at 22.5. However, Ingram took on more of a distribution role at the end of last season following the trade for CJ McCollum. As Zion Williamson gets set to return tonight, expect Ingram to embrace that role of facilitator even more. Dating back to last year, Ingram finished with at least six assists in eight of the Pelicans’ final 10 games. His current line is set at 4.5, but a price of -146 makes this a less than attractive piece for our parlay, so that’s why we’ll opt for the adjusted line. In his only game against the Brooklyn Nets last season, Ingram finished with eight assists, making +138 somehow look even better.
Jonas Valanciunas OVER 10.5 rebounds (-122)
For the second leg of the parlay we are targeting another non-points player prop so let’s welcome Jonas Valanciunas to the party. He averaged 11.4 rebounds per game last season and gets a Nets team that is still mostly vertically challenged. The lack of size will be a problem for Brooklyn, especially dealing with a big Pelicans frontcourt, so Valanciunas should be able to go over this number with ease. He only managed five rebounds in the most recent matchup against the Nets, but for someone that can easily grab 20 boards a night, 10.5 feels like a gift.
Royce O’Neale OVER 7.5 points (+100)
If you’re a fan of statistical evidence, then you’ll hate this prop. Royce O’Neale didn’t clear this line in any of the last 10 games. He did clear it in two of the four Nets preseason games though and will have opportunity, which is why we are backing him at this low number. With Joe Harris and Seth Curry sidelined tonight, the Nets wing depth will be tested, meaning more minutes for newcomers like O’Neale. At the very least, he’s a threat to knock down some shots beyond the arc, effectively asking him for three made shots on the night. With Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving attracting their fair share of defenders, that sets up O’Neale perfectly in a catch-and-shoot role.
Nets spread -2.5 (-112)
Both of these teams are coming in with high expectations, especially because of how they can light up the scoreboard. The Pelicans are looking to prove last year wasn’t a fluke, while the Nets might have more to prove than any other team in the league following a turbulent offseason. If they get off to a bad start then Steve Nash will be firmly on the hot seat, if he isn’t already. Brooklyn already had to deal with trade requests from Durant and Irving, meaning they absolutely cannot afford a disaster to start the season. The Nets have spent plenty of time saying how this year will be different. If that is true, then expect them to take care of business in front of the home fans at Barclays Center on opening night.
Parlay +1644
This parlay pays +1644, meaning a $100 bet will add another $1,644 to your bank account. All odds are courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook and their special “No Sweat Same Game Parlay” promotion. Head over to the promotions page for details on your max wager as well as terms and conditions. Don’t forget to opt in before placing the bet and as always, please bet responsibly.
Basic Tips
A same game parlay is when you are combining multiple outcomes from the same game for a bigger payout. For example, if Brandon Ingram finishes the game with five assists, the wager will lose whether the other outcomes happen or not. We have to go 4-for-4 in order to take home the cash. The bet is considered “No Sweat” because if the wager loses, you will be refunded in the form of a free bet equal to your wager amount up to whatever your max is. A spread bet is when you bet on a particular team to win the game by a certain number of points. In order for Nets -2.5 to win, they have to win the game by three or more points.