NBA Odds, Picks & Predictions: Wednesday (1/14)
There are seven NBA games tonight, with one contest (Cavaliers-76ers) featuring two teams above .500. Elsewhere, the short-handed Denver Nuggets will look to take care of business against the short-handed Dallas Mavericks, and the New York Knicks will look to get out to a fast start against the Sacramento Kings. Below are the best NBA picks & predictions for Wednesday, January 14th.
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Wednesday’s Best NBA Picks & Predictions
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Cleveland Cavaliers at Philadelphia 76ers
The 76ers are averaging 117.1 points per game, while the Cavaliers are allowing 117.7. While those averages would put the 76ers just below this expected total tonight, the Cavaliers have struggled defensively in recent games. They've allowed at least 123 points in three consecutive contests, allowing at least 131 points in two of those three.
The 76ers haven't scored more than 115 points in any of their last three games, but two of those contests were played against the Raptors, who rank sixth in scoring defense.
When these two teams met earlier this season in Cleveland, the Cavaliers secured the win, but the 76ers still managed to score 121 points. In that game, the 76ers went 12-of-31 from three-point range. I expect them to make even more threes tonight, as they're averaging 13.3 makes per game, and the Cavaliers are allowing opponents to hit the highest percentage of threes this season.
Pick: 76ers Team Total Over 118.5 Points (-112)
Denver Nuggets at Dallas Mavericks
With Nikola Jokic out, the inclination is to pick against the Nuggets. However, they've won four of their last five games, earning wins over the Celtics and 76ers during that span. Considering the Nuggets are the league's highest-scoring team, it's not surprising their scoring is down without Jokic. However, the defense has stepped up in a huge way, holding four consecutive opponents to 116 or fewer points.
The Mavericks won the first two meetings between these two teams, despite Jokic playing. But Jokic isn't the only major injury in this contest. Anthony Davis will miss tonight's game with a finger injury. He scored 31 points the last time these two teams met, and he scored 32 in the first meeting.
Without Davis and Jokic on the court, I simply trust the Nuggets' supporting cast more than the Mavericks' supporting cast. After all, the Mavericks are 1-2 in their last three, with their only win coming over the 11-26 Nets.
Pick: Nuggets – 1.5 (-102)
New York Knicks at Sacramento Kings
The Knicks are averaging 61.1 first-half points per game, fourth-most in the NBA. In their last game, they scored 65 against the Trail Blazers. While they only led by five at halftime of that game, I love their chances to go up big early against one of the worst first-half teams in the league.
The Kings are averaging just 55.8 points per first half. That's fourth-worst in the league. Though they're the home team in this game, they're actually worse at home in the first half, averaging just 53.9 points in the first 24 minutes.
Then there are the defenses. The Kings are allowing 61.5 first-half points, which is third-worst in the league. Meanwhile, the Knicks rank 12th, allowing just 58 points in the first two quarters of games. The Knicks are a fast-starting team, and with how poorly the Kings have started this season, don't be surprised if the Knicks are up by double-digits early.
Pick: Knicks -6.5 First Half (-115)
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Phil Wood is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Phil, check out his archive and follow him @Phil_Wood_Jr.