Yardbarker

The Bark Bets Newsletter

November 08, 2023: NBA bets: Look for LaMelo to triple down vs. Wizards

The NBA returns Wednesday night for a loaded, 14-game slate. We've decided to have some fun with a few triple-double props for Wednesday's action.

Today's picks and sports betting news you need to know
 
Subscribe  |  Read in Browser

NBA bets: Look for LaMelo to triple down vs. Wizards

Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball. Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

After taking Tuesday off for Election Day, the NBA returns Wednesday night for a loaded, 14-game slate. There are endless ways to attack a full NBA slate from a betting perspective, but we've decided to have some fun with a few triple-double props for Wednesday's action.

Let's cash some plus-money bets on this fine hump day. 

LaMelo Ball triple-double (+550 DraftKings)

The Washington Wizards haven't been too interested in playing defense early in the season. Washington ranks dead last in the NBA in defensive efficiency, points allowed per game and assists allowed per game, so this is a perfect spot for Ball to put up a monster statistical performance. 

Ball is averaging 17.2 points per game and ranks eighth in the NBA with 13.7 potential assists per game, so he should have no problem recording at least a double-double. This is essentially a +550 bet on Ball to grab at least 10 rebounds, which he just did a few days ago against the Dallas Mavericks. 

Nikola Jokic triple-double (+100 DK)

This one isn't as juicy, but it still shouldn't be priced at even odds.

Jokic absolutely feasts when Jamal Murray isn't in the lineup. In 10 games without Murray last season, the Joker averaged 26.8 points, 11.9 rebounds and 10.0 assists per game. He finished with a triple-double in six of those 10 games.

In the first game this season without Murray on the court, Jokic put up 35-14-12 against the New Orleans Pelicans. We're expecting a similar performance with Murray ruled out for Wednesday night's clash against the Golden State Warriors.


In the news ...

Ohio State remains at No. 1 spot in College Football Playoff rankings — The College Football Playoff Selection Committee unveiled its rankings for Week 2, and there wasn't much drama at the top. The top eight teams in the CFP rankings remained unchanged, with Ohio State grabbing the top spot for the second straight week. No. 2 Georgia, No. 3 Michigan and No. 4 Florida State would also make the CFP if it started today, while No. 5 Washington and No. 6 Oregon are still on the outside looking in. Although Ohio State is the No. 1 team in the rankings, Michigan is still the betting favorite to win the national championship at +230 odds.

Rams sign Carson Wentz to back up Matthew Stafford — The Los Angeles Rams apparently saw enough of Brett Rypien in their 20-3 loss to the Green Bay Packers in Week 9. On Tuesday, L.A. signed Wentz to take over as Stafford's backup and waived Rypien to transform its quarterback room. The Rams have a bye week this Sunday, and head coach Sean McVay sounded optimistic that Stafford will be able to return in Week 11. If you believe in the Rams to make a playoff push after the bye, you can take the over on their updated win total at 7.5.

Mike Vrabel names Will Levis Titans' starting QB — The Ryan Tannehill era in Tennessee has officially come to an end, as Vrabel announced on Tuesday that Levis will serve as the team's starting quarterback for the remainder of the season. The rookie has thrown for 500 yards, four touchdowns and one interception over his first two NFL starts, and he has nine more games left to prove himself as the franchise QB moving forward. You can still find Levis at 25/1 to win Offensive Rookie of the Year.


Today's Bark Bets is written by Jack Dougherty

Quick Picks

1 Utah Jazz @ Indiana Pacers

Oddsmakers can't make the over high enough in Pacers games right now. Indiana leads the NBA this season in points per game (124.9) and ranks second in pace. Going up against a Jazz team with the 29th-ranked defensive efficiency in the NBA, there won't be many stops in this matchup. Take the over 241.
Wednesday, 7:00 PM Eastern SPREAD MONEY LINE OVER / UNDER
Jazz
+6.5 (-110) +207 > 241 (-110)
Pacers
-5.5 (-119) -240 < 241 (-109)
2 Los Angeles Clippers @ Brooklyn Nets

It was a clunky start to the James Harden era in Los Angeles, as the Clippers coughed up 22 turnovers and scored a season-low 97 points in a loss to the New York Knicks Monday. It's going to take some time for this group to gel on both sides of the court, and the Brooklyn Nets have been feisty underdogs to begin the season. The Nets have lost by more than five points once in seven games, so we'll take Brooklyn to cover the +5. 
Wednesday, 7:30 PM Eastern SPREAD MONEY LINE OVER / UNDER
Clippers
-4.5 (-116) -192 > 231 (-110)
Nets
+5.5 (-110) +180 < 231 (-110)
3 Phoenix Suns @ Chicago Bulls

The Bulls love to slow games down and play low-scoring affairs. Chicago ranks 29th in the NBA in pace and 26th in shooting percentage, so its best chance to keep games close is to limit possessions and win with defense. It helps that Devin Booker is out and Bradley Beal is questionable to play, so we're taking the under 219.5.
Wednesday, 8:00 PM Eastern SPREAD MONEY LINE OVER / UNDER
Suns
+1.5 (-118) -105 > 218.5 (-110)
Bulls
-1 (-105) -104 < 218.5 (-115)
4 Jalen Brunson over 5.5 assists

The San Antonio Spurs have been brutal defensively to start the season. San Antonio ranks 28th in defensive efficiency, and it's surrendering the fourth-most assists per game to opposing teams. Brunson leads the New York Knicks with 10.4 potential assists per game, and this is a perfect matchup for him to convert most of those chances.

Latest Odds:  +105 
5 Arizona State Sun Devils @ Mississippi State Bulldogs

Mississippi State is going to be a team to fade early in the college basketball season. The Bulldogs struggled shooting the ball last season, and they'll be without Tolu Smith, last year's leading scorer, for their opener against Arizona State. The Sun Devils are live to pull off the upset here, but we'll play it safe and take the +4.
Wednesday, 9:30 PM Eastern SPREAD MONEY LINE OVER / UNDER
Arizona State
+4 (-110) +155 > 129.5 (-110)
Mississippi State
-3.5 (-110) -165 < 129.5 (-112)

Betting News & Notes

NFL futures: These teams are worth backing in the Super Bowl market

Read More

FanDuel Promo Code: Bet $5, Get $150 on Any NBA Moneyline of Your Choice

Read More

Look of the Day for Wednesday, Nov. 8: Happy Holiday to Jrue and yours

Read More

NFL bets: Best and worst NFL betting teams ATS and over/under, and Week 10 games to monitor

Read More

Two SOG targets to ladder tonight in the NHL

Read More

NCAAF Week 11: Michigan Wolverines vs. Penn State Nittany Lions betting picks, preview

Read More

Golf best bets: Outright picks for the Butterfield Bermuda Championship

Read More
For all the latest betting news, check out the
Yardbarker Sports Betting news hub.
Sports News, Rumors & Quizzes

TERMS OF SERVICE    PRIVACY POLICY    CONTACT US    MY ACCOUNT    SUBSCRIBE    ADVERTISE    JOBS

     

To ensure delivery of these emails, please add news@yardbarker.com to your address book.
If you no longer wish to receive these emails, you can safely unsubscribe here.

Copyright 2025 YB Media, LLC.
1534 Plaza Lane, #146, Burlingame, CA 94010.
All Rights Reserved