All eyes are on basketball for the foreseeable future now that football season is over and Wednesday’s 14-game monster slate is only a glimpse of what’s to come. ESPN will have a double-header as well, starting at 7.30 pm ET between the Knicks and 76ers, followed by a West coast classic between the Spurs and Warriors.
My NBA Best Bets are ready for Wednesday’s action, continue reading below to see them. Also be sure to check out our NBA Picks for every single game being played on Wednesday, but let’s dive into my bets now.
Hawks vs Hornets Best Bet: Hornets ML (-205)
The absence of Jalen Johnson is massive for Atlanta here, without him they’ve lost 5 of 6 games this season with a point differential of -71 during that stretch. Charlotte’s win streak might be over, but this is a solid bounce back opportunity vs a shorthanded team.
Wizards vs Cavaliers Best Bet: Cavs -18 (-112)
The honeymoon phase is on for the Cavaliers and James Harden. Cleveland has won 4 games in a row, playing a Wizards team that just got blown out by Miami 132-101. Pick the team that’s actually trying to win games.
Bucks vs Magic Best Bet: Magic -10 (-110)
Teams tend to split these back-to-back baseball scenario type of games, but the difference in talent is just too big here. Milwaukee has too many key players out, I’m picking Orlando to win a 4th straight game.
Bulls vs Celtics Best Bet: Celtics -13.5 (-114)
Chicago is on a 5-game losing streak, they’ve committed themselves to tanking the rest of the season following all the moves made before the trade deadline. Boston needs a bounce back performance following a tough loss against the Knicks on Super Bowl Sunday.
Pacers vs Nets Best Bet: Under 214.5 (-106)
Neither side wants to win here, if we’re being real. And neither side is all that good on offense. The under is 7-3 in the last 10 meetings with an average of 223.6 points per game scored. I’ll be backing that in Wednesday’s clash.
Knicks vs 76ers Best Bet: Knicks ML (+120)
Knicks need the win to tie things up in the regular season series. Philadelphia comes back home following a long cross country trip after a 5-game West coast adventure. If Embiid doesn’t play this is all New York.
Pistons vs Raptors Best Bet: Detroit ML (-118)
Suspensions might be coming for the Pistons after their altercations in the win over Charlotte, but even if they are without Duren here they should still show who is the boss in the Eastern Conference. Toronto is an unconvincing 16-12 SU at home this season.
Clippers vs Rockets Best Bet: Clippers +8.5 (-110)
Kawhi Leonard might be playing the best basketball since becoming a Clipper and he’s fully healthy for once. The Rockets at home should be favored here, but I do feel like the Clippers warrant us backing them after Leonard’s massive performance in Minnesota the other day.
Trail Blazers vs Timberwolves Best Bet: Trail Blazers +7.5 (-112)
It’s hard to get a read on this Timberwolves team, they are one of the more inconsistent teams in the league. Portland is always a strong out, they play so well offensively, I think they make life difficult for Minnesota here.
Heat vs Pelicans Best Bet: Heat +1.5 (-110)
Miami needs the win to stay in the hunt for the postseason. New Orleans needs one too as they don’t own their draft pick, but they’re just a really bad team right now.
Thunder vs Suns Best Bet: Suns +7 (-112)
OKC celebrated a heroic win over the Lakers the other day, but it’ll be a lot more difficult against the battle tested Suns. Phoenix got Devin Booker back from injury, they are the NBA’s most reliable team against the spread this season.
Kings vs Jazz Best Bet: Over 232.5 (-110)
Both teams are blatantly tanking at the moment, so I’m curious to see what happens in crunch time if this game is close. Backing the points should be the way to go here, the over has cashed 7 times in 10 meetings in Salt Lake City.
Grizzlies vs Nuggets Best Bet: Nuggets -14 (-115)
Denver has uncharacteristically lost 4 of 5 games, they need a win badly before the All-Star break. Memphis is the ideal team for that, they’ve dropped 3 in a row and are looking to tank the rest of the way.
Spurs vs Warriors Best Bet: Spurs -6 (-114)
San Antonio is the more talented team overall. Since Jimmy Butler went down with his injury, the Warriors are pretty much a one man show with Stephen Curry. Unless Curry plays and decides to go nuclear here, I’m tipping Wemby and San Antonio.
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