NBA Odds, Picks & Predictions: Wednesday (4/1)
The Philadelphia 76ers are taking on the second-worst scoring defense in the league. Can they take advantage of the matchup and dominate the Washington Wizards? Then, I highlight why the Utah Jazz may actually be able to keep things somewhat competitive against the Denver Nuggets. I also look at the San Antonio Spurs in a familiar matchup against the Golden State Warriors.
Here are the best bets for Wednesday, April 1st.
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Wednesday’s Best NBA Picks & Predictions
(Odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook)
Philadelphia 76ers vs. Washington Wizards
The 76ers are only averaging 116.1 points per game this season, but all averages go out the window when you face the Wizards. Washington's defense has been terrible this season, allowing an average of 123.9 points per game. While this number is still well below the 76ers' posted total for tonight, the Wizards have allowed at least 131 points in two of their last five games.
Additionally, the 76ers have scored at will against the Wizards this season. The last time they played, the 76ers scored 131 points. They've reached at least 121 in all three meetings, and they scored 139 the first time they played back in October.
The 76ers have only scored more than 128.5 in one of their last five games, but in that contest, they dropped 157. This is a team that can score in bunches against bad defenses, and it's hard to find a defense worse than what the Wizards put on the floor.
Pick: Philadelphia 76ers Over 128.5 Points (-110)
Denver Nuggets vs. Utah Jazz
The league's top-scoring offense takes on the league's worst scoring defense, and yet, I'm backing the Jazz to cover this massive spread tonight. The Jazz have lost 10 of their last 11 games, but only four of those losses have been by more than 16 points.
Last Friday, the Nuggets and Jazz met in Denver, and while the Nuggets scored 135 points, the Jazz only lost the game by six. That was despite Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray both scoring over 30 points. While the Jazz won't have Keyonte George tonight, he also didn't play in that game last Friday. Instead, the Jazz relied on a balanced attack, with seven players scoring in double figures.
These two teams have met three times this season, and though the Nuggets have won all three games, scoring at least 128 in each contest, only once have they won by more than 16.5. That lone performance came all the way back in late December.
Pick: Utah Jazz +16.5 (-105)
San Antonio Spurs vs. Golden State Warriors
Not only do the Spurs win a lot more often than they lose, but they absolutely demolish teams. They've won nine games in a row, with five consecutive wins coming by at least 15 points. Tonight they take on a Warriors team that has lost four of its last seven games, with all of those losses coming by at least 14.
While the Warriors actually lead the season series 2-1 right now, these teams have only played once since mid-November. The Spurs won that game 126-113. Steph Curry missed that contest and the bad news for the Warriors is that he will miss tonight's game as well.
Maybe this game being played at Golden State will be enough to help the Warriors keep this close, but with so many key players out for the Warriors, it's hard for me to see how they keep up with a team that chooses to dominate lesser opponents rather than let them hang around longer than they should.
Pick: San Antonio Spurs -13.5 (-110)
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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.