Wednesday Night Basketball Betting Advice

NBA betting tips for Wednesday 

Boston Celtics (+4) vs. Houston Rockets (-4)

With the Boston Celtics working off a tough loss to the Washington Wizards on Tuesday night, it's really hard to like them here.

Yes, they are at home, where they are typically strong. But their defense is an inconsistent mess, and head coach Brad Stevens didn't get a good chance to rest many of his key guys despite suffering that double-digit letdown versus the Wizards in Washington.

The Houston Rockets are more well-rested, with an offense that's going to test the Celtics' already shaky defense. Even if Boston is up to the task of piling points on the scoreboard, Houston's James Harden-piloted attack stands to be a more potent option when its foe is playing the second night of a back-to-back.

The Pick: Houston Rockets (-4)

 

New Orleans Pelicans (+1.5) vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (-1.5)

This has the makings of being a really good game—provided the New Orleans Pelicans allow Anthony Davis to play. He was a late scratch from the team's last game and is a tip-off decision for tonight.

Though the Pelicans mustered a victory against the Cleveland Cavaliers without Davis on Monday night, winning in those situations won't become a habit. The Cavaliers played like absolute crud and would, on most days, beat a Davis-less Pelicans outfit while sleepwalking.

The Oklahoma City Thunder aren't on the same level as the Cavaliers, but Russell Westbrook is nevertheless a monster. His dribble penetration and triple-double onslaught offsets the team's wonky offense, which doesn't space the floor very well or shoot a particularly high percentage on wide-open shots.

In the event Davis does play, it'll be cause for pause. But the sportsbooks would still be right to peg the Thunder as favorites, even on the road. The defenses of these two teams are about even, and it's Oklahoma City who deploys the more dangerous offense.

The Pick: Oklahoma City Thunder (-1.5)

 

Milwaukee Bucks (-11) vs. Philadelphia 76ers (+11)

Can you guess which team has the NBA's best defense since Jan. 1?

That would be the Philadelphia 76ers.

While the Sixers will be without Joel Embiid, they are still the pick here—so long as Nerlens Noel isn't a late scratch. Their defense will match up well with a Milwaukee Bucks squad that doesn't do a good job spacing the floor, and the core is young enough that playing through a second night of a back-to-back shouldn't matter.

Yes, picking the Sixers is always a risky game. But we're not saying they are going to win. In fact, they probably won't. The Bucks have been super dangerous at home, with the exception of their recent slide. 

Still, it's the dawn of a new era in Philly. The Sixers are playing with confidence and, at the moment, remain more than equipped to cover double-digit spreads as road underdogs.

The Pick: Philadelphia 76ers (+11)

 

Dallas Mavericks (-4) vs. New York Knicks (+4)

Welcome to what may be the toughest line of the night among games we're singling out.

The New York Knicks have been hot garbage for most of this season, while the Dallas Mavericks are gaining some momentum over their last 15 games or so. Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle is fielding a new, improved and hella fun starting lineup of Seth Curry, Harrison Barnes, Dirk Nowitzki, Wesley Matthews and Deron Williams, which has considerably drummed up the offensive appeal of a previously stagnant squad.

That change, however, has come at the expense of defense. And when the Mavericks go with defense-oriented lineups, they end up with groups who are more predictable on the offensive end. It's a conundrum they aren't built to kick, and one that should make this meeting with the plunging Knicks a tightly contested affair.

The Pick: New York Knicks (+4)

 

Charlotte Hornets (+10.5) vs. Golden State Warriors (-10.5)

Investing in double-digit road favorites is always a perilous gambit, even when the alpha in question is the Golden State Warriors. But playing the Charlotte Hornets marks something of a homecoming for Stephen Curry, who has been mostly on fire since Christmas.

Golden State will also want to erase the bad taste in its mouth from the egg it laid against the Miami Heat on Monday night. Dion Waiters clowned them from long range at the buzzer, and the Warriors have routinely done a great job following up losses with demonstrative wins during the Steve Kerr era.

Equally important: The Hornets offense has become predictable and wholly dependent on Kemba Walker's heroism. The Warriors' league-best defense should swallow their lackluster attack whole.

The Pick: Golden State Warriors (-10.5)

Category : Betting Picks

Tag : Golden State Warriors , houston rockets , nba , new york knicks , oklahoma city thunder , philadelphia 76ers

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