The NBA In-Season Tournament has produced one of the highest betting totals in league history.
The Atlanta Hawks hosted the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday night during the NBA’s inaugural In-Season Tournament, a competition that features the league’s 30 teams vying for the NBA Cup and a chance for each winning player to pocket $500,000. The tournament has increased early-season competition within the NBA, which was on full display during the Pacers versus Hawks matchup — a game that saw both teams score a combined 309 points in regulation.
The feat marked just the seventh time in NBA history that two teams scored at least 150 points without overtime, according to Basketball Reference. Oddsmakers anticipated the high-scoring contest with a pre-game total betting line of 252.5 points at most U.S. sportsbooks — the highest over/under NBA total since 1995.
The Pacers would finish with a 157-152 victory over the Hawks. The Pacers’ 157 points would close as a franchise record, according to ESPN Stats & Information research. Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton finished the game with 37 points and 16 assists, including nine three-pointers. The All-Star surpassed all of his over/under player props for those markets.
His performance helped the Pacers secure a spot in the in-season tournament quarterfinals.
The Pacers and Hawks hit the over with EASE‼️
— Covers (@Covers) November 22, 2023
Which side of the total were you on tonight? pic.twitter.com/Hk7cUac4Ju
The Hawks also saw a dominant performance by point guard Trae Young who finished the contest with 38 points behind five three-pointers and eight assists. Atlanta’s Dejounte Murray also got in on the action by scoring 28 points, dishing out five assists, and collecting three rebounds.
Big opportunity
The high-scoring matchup between the Pacers and Hawks presented a unique opportunity for sports bettors who were able to cash in on various betting markets, including live wagers. The game’s live betting total surpassed 300 points on several sportsbooks, including FanDuel.
JUST LOOK AT THE LIVE TOTAL 🤯
— FanDuel Sportsbook (@FDSportsbook) November 22, 2023
300.5 IN THE PACERS-HAWKS GAME 😱#BoomBaby | #TrueToAtlanta pic.twitter.com/6TKJu0L2xl
For many sports bettors, particularly those exposed to the industry following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in 2018, the live betting total was the highest in the modern betting era.
Sports bettors were also able to seize the high-scoring opportunity with parlays featuring player props, including a parlay at +517105 odds that would net a bettor $51,720 behind a $10 wager.
NOT MY TICKET - whoever’s this was is fire!!! https://t.co/L8oFNFGmw3 pic.twitter.com/8GyTUhBHCS
— ParlayBae (@parlay_bae) November 22, 2023
As the NBA season moves forward sports bettors will continue to look for an edge, particularly with high-scoring offenses that provide ample opportunity for entertainment and winning wagers.
