There are so many exciting games on tonight’s NBA slate. Below, I’ve selected the two with the most value and given a pick for each.
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Wednesday’s Best NBA Bets
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Miami Heat
The Miami Heat are 23-22 and still in the NBA Playoff picture. There’s plenty of time left, but the Heat’s culture is starting to dwindle after Jimmy Butler was suspended indefinitely for the third time this season.
Butler led the Heat into the NBA Finals in 2022 a couple of years ago. Now he’s unhappy with the Heat and looking for a trade. This distraction certainly hasn’t been ideal for the Heat. However, they’ve still won back-to-back games over the Nets and Magic and will be home for tonight’s game against the Cavaliers.
That said, the Cavaliers are the best team in the Eastern Conference and haven’t even lost ten games yet.
Cleveland’s offense ranks No. 1 in the NBA in points per 100 possessions. The Cavaliers have also tallied a 59% effective field goal percentage and have turned the ball over just 12.7% of the time. The Cavaliers will be careful with the ball tonight and should get plenty of high-quality looks.
Meanwhile, Cleveland has also held opponents to a 53.9% effective field goal percentage. Miami should stay around their average, mainly since the Heat have already shot a 54.1% effective field goal percentage this year. Ultimately, the Heat are weak on the offensive glass. That’s good news for the Cavaliers, who have struggled on the defensive glass this season. If the Heat aren’t aggressive in trying to earn second chances, the one blemish on defense for the Cavaliers will be washed away.
Therefore, ride the Cavaliers to cover -7.5 tonight.
Pick: Cavaliers -7.5 (-115)
Los Angeles Clippers vs. San Antonio Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs finished 1-1 in Paris against the Indiana Pacers and will finally play a home game for the first time since January 17. After their trip overseas, the Spurs had four days to prepare for this game. I think the defense will deliver against the Clippers.
After all, the Spurs have held teams to 115.2 points per 100 possessions. This is a below-average number, but the Clippers have also scored a rate that’s below average on offense. The Spurs match up well against the Clippers, too. San Antonio has allowed a 54.1% effective field goal percentage and has limited teams to a 15 free throw rate. Meanwhile, the Clippers have gotten to the foul line and have added an effective field goal percentage at an average rate. Those numbers will likely fall below average against the Spurs on the road tonight.
The Clippers have also proven themselves on defense. Los Angeles has allowed just 108.6 points per 100 possessions, ranking second in that category in the NBA. Opponents have struggled to shoot a highly effective field goal percentage and have turned the ball over 15.8% of the time against the Clippers. In addition, Los Angeles has limited teams to 25.5% of offensive rebounds.
I’ll rely on both defenses in this NBA matchup. Ride the Under 222.5.
Pick: Under 222.5 (-105)
