We’ve got an eight-game slate in the NBA, including two matchups that will be featured on ESPN.
I’ve got a best bet for both of those matchups. You won’t even have to change the channel tonight.
Check it all out below.
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Wednesday’s Best NBA Bets
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Miami Heat vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers have had some tight matchups recently. Over the last three games, they earned a huge comeback win over the Celtics and barely escaped Portland at home. Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley missed games, but the Cavaliers should be at full strength tonight.
Meanwhile, the Miami Heat have won three of their last four. Their depth will be lacking tonight. After all, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Andrew Wiggins, Kel’el Ware and Nikola Jovic are all listed as out tonight. It’ll be hard to find offense against a Cavaliers defense ranked seventh in the NBA in points per 100 possessions. In addition, the Cavaliers have limited teams to a 53% effective field goal percentage.
On the flip side, Miami is slightly above average defensively. It’s because the Heat have limited offensive rebounds and foul shots. Still, the Cavaliers have shot an effective field goal percentage of 59.1%, which is the best rate in the league. If the Cavaliers continue to get quality looks and keep turnovers down, they’ll do more than enough to get by with at least a 12-point win.
Let’s back the Cavaliers.
Pick: Cavaliers -11.5 (-110)
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Memphis Grizzlies
The Memphis Grizzlies can’t seem to close games. Over the last four games, they’ve gone just 1-3. They’ve added one overtime win against Phoenix but also lost three consecutive games by no more than two points to the Knicks, Spurs and Hawks. Even worse, the Grizzlies lost all three of those games at home.
Now, they’ll take on a Thunder team that has already won 50 games and four consecutive games by at least eight points.
The Thunder have limited turnovers to 11.7% this season and have added 27.5% of offensive rebounds. That’s not a huge rate on the offensive glass. However, the Grizzlies have allowed 29.1% of offensive rebounds, so the Thunder will likely add more second chances in this game.
On the other hand, the Grizzlies have turned the ball over 15.9% of the time, which is 26th in the NBA. That’s critical since the Thunder rank first in the NBA in defensive turnover percentage.
The Grizzlies should dominate on the offensive glass and consistently get to the foul line. However, the turnovers will prevent many second-chance opportunities. The Thunder will likely get more shots up and have more possessions, which should result in a Thunder win and cover.
Pick: Thunder -8.5 (-115)
