The NBA In-Season Tournament is approaching the championship game, with action resuming on Saturday, Dec. 9.
Below, I highlight the latest betting odds and some of the best bets you can make today.
DraftKings Sportsbook provides NBA lines for the 2023-24 NBA In-Season Tournament betting data used in this article, which are current as of Friday, Dec. 8, at 1 p.m. ET.
2023-24 NBA In-Season Tournament Betting Odds
Track line movement for the NBA In-Season Tournament with our odds widget.
- Los Angeles Lakers (-180)
- Indiana Pacers (+150)
How Does the NBA In-Season Tournament Work?
From Nov. 3 through Nov. 28, all teams will participate in four games against the other teams in their specified groups on tournament nights. Their records in these games will determine if they advance to the knockout rounds, which feed into the semifinal and championship rounds.
After group play finishes, the team with the best record in each group will automatically advance to the knockout round. Additionally, two wild card teams will advance, with one coming from each conference.
The teams with the best records in group play games will host the knockout round games on Dec. 4 and 5, while the semifinals and championship game will take place in Las Vegas on Dec. 7 and 9.
What Is the NBA In-Season Tournament Schedule?
Monday, Dec. 4 (Quarterfinal)
- Boston Celtics 112, Indiana Pacers 122
- New Orleans Pelicans 127, Sacramento Kings 117
Tuesday, Dec. 5 (Quarterfinal)
- New York Knicks 122, Milwaukee Bucks 146
- Phoenix Suns 103, Los Angeles Lakers 106
Thursday, Dec. 7 (Semifinal)
- Indiana Pacers 128, Milwaukee Bucks 119
- New Orleans Pelicans 89, Los Angeles Lakers 133
Saturday, Dec. 9 (Championship)
- Indiana Pacers vs Los Angeles Lakers (8:30 p.m. ET)
2023 NBA In-Season Tournament Best Bet
Indiana Pacers (+150)
DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 Unit
Indiana has taken the In-Season Tournament seriously from the jump. Their draw was tough — the 76ers, Cavaliers, and Hawks are all playoff contenders — yet the Pacers still swept their group play opponents, scoring a league-high 546 points in four games.
Scoring, of course, is Indiana’s brand. The Pacers rank first in points per game (128.4), offensive rating, and pace, and they’re taking smart shots, as evidenced by their NBA-best 50.8% shooting from the field.
The Celtics were the one team that had truly embarrassed Indiana this season, but NBA MVP candidate Tyrese Haliburton led them to victory over Boston in the quarterfinals and the Bucks in the semifinals. Now, the menacing Lakers await.
The Pacers continue winning despite the odds. At (+150), there isn’t a better value play on the board, making this my NBA bet of the day.
2023 NBA In-Season Tournament Favorites
Los Angeles Lakers (-180)
DraftKings Sportsbook
LeBron James and the Lakers went 4-0 in group play, taking down the Suns, Grizzlies, Trail Blazers, and Jazz en route to clinching the West’s No. 1 seed. Phoenix gave Los Angeles its toughest fight of the bunch, but the Lakers defeated them once again in the quarterfinals to punch their ticket to Las Vegas.
Los Angeles steamrolled New Orleans in the semifinals to advance to the first-ever NBA In-Season Tournament Championship, with James putting forth another spectacular effort. His Lakers are treating this like the playoffs, and it’s paying off.
With that said, the Pacers have defied the odds en route to the title game, and at (-180), a bet on Los Angeles isn’t worth the juice. The Lakers may well win the title, but the value is all on Indiana.
