NBA Odds, Picks & Predictions: Wednesday (2/5)

Tonight’s 11-game slate features several exciting games. The Spurs plan to start newly acquired point guard De’Aaron Fox in the first of two games on ESPN. I’ll make sure to cover that game and the second game of the ESPN doubleheader between the Suns and Thunder.

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Wednesday’s Best NBA Bets

(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)

San Antonio Spurs vs. Atlanta Hawks

The San Antonio Spurs have lost four out of their last five games but are 4.5-point favorites against the Atlanta Hawks on the road. Ultimately, the Hawks will be without Clint Capela and Bogdan Bogdanovic and have already lost Jalen Johnson for the year. Trae Young is also listed as questionable but will likely play.

Meanwhile, the Spurs acquired De’Aaron Fox from the Kings in a blockbuster deal a couple of days ago. He’s expected to make his debut tonight. However, he’s being inserted into a team that has been below-average offensively throughout the season. The Spurs rank 18th in points per 100 possessions and have an effective field goal percentage of 53.7% this season. Fox should help improve these numbers, but we shouldn’t expect it to happen so soon.

The Hawks have still forced 16.1% of turnovers, and with the Spurs’ offense a bit uncomfortable, the Hawks could take advantage.

Additionally, the Hawks have been slightly above average on the offensive glass, adding 28.9% of offensive rebounds. The Hawks should still be aggressive on the glass and earn more second chances. I’d like to think the Hawks win the rebounding and turnover battles, which should help Atlanta get past the Spurs tonight.

Pick: Hawks +4.5 (-110)

Phoenix Suns vs. Oklahoma City Thunder

There’s a very good chance Kevin Durant will miss tonight’s game against the Thunder with an ankle sprain. There’s also a chance Durant won’t suit up for the Suns again with the trade deadline approaching.

Either way, not having Durant certainly won’t help against the No. 1 defense. The Thunder have held teams to 104.9 points per 100 possessions and have limited opponents to a 50.5% effective field goal percentage. Oklahoma City isn’t so great on the defensive glass, but the Suns aren’t much better offensively, earning just 24.7% of offensive rebounds.

Conversely, the Suns have allowed 116.4 points per 100 possessions, which ranks 25th in the NBA. The Suns have struggled to force turnovers, while the Thunder have limited turnovers to 12%. While the Suns will more than likely win the free-throw battle, the Thunder should be able to take the better shots and dominate the turnover battle.

I’ll take the Thunder -12.5, especially with Durant out of the lineup for the Suns.

Pick: Thunder -12.5 (+100)

Make sure to check out our other best bets for Wednesday: