Top 3 NBA Picks & Predictions: Wednesday (10/28)
There are 12 NBA games today, and I'm highlighting my best bets for three contests. Below, I explain why the Knicks are finally going to put together an offensive performance worth talking about. Then I explain why the Spurs should cruise to victory over the Jazz and why the Nuggets and Pelicans are in store for a second high-scoring meeting this season. Here are the best NBA Picks for Wednesday, October 28th.
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Wednesday’s Best NBA Picks & Predictions
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
New York Knicks at Chicago Bulls
Last night, the Knicks picked up their first win of the season, defeating the Pistons 111-97. It was the Knicks' highest-scoring game of the young season, as they had scored 100-103 points in their previous three games. While the Knicks are averaging a league-low 104 points per game this season, there is a lot to like about their offense tonight.
The Bulls are allowing the most points in the league, giving up 129.5 per game. They've given up at least 124 points in all four games, with two opponents reaching at least 134.
So far, the Knicks have played four really good defensive teams. The 76ers and Pistons are tied for the league’s fifth-best scoring defense, while the Magic and Celtics also rank in the top 20. I fully expect the Knicks to finally show what they can do against a defense that can't stop anyone.
Pick: Knicks Team Total Over 121.5 Points (-104)
San Antonio Spurs at Utah Jazz
Last night, the Spurs dominated the Kings, running away with a 130-103 victory. That's back-to-back wins by at least 16 points, and the only tough thing about tonight's contest is that it's on the road on the second night of a back-to-back.
Their last two losses have been by double digits, and the Jazz are 1-3 this season, with a 20-point loss to the Grizzlies on their resume. They're allowing 121 points per game, which ranks 22nd in the league, and opponents are making 39.6% of their three-point attempts against them. That's the third-highest mark in the league.
The Spurs are shooting 35.3% from beyond the three-point line, and they've scored at least 122 points in back-to-back games. With Jaren Jackson Jr. out and Lauri Markkanen dealing with a wrist injury that has him listed as questionable, I don't see how the Jazz can keep up. The only way they cover this spread is if they score a bunch late and grab a backdoor cover.
Pick: Spurs -12.5 (-110)
Denver Nuggets at New Orleans Pelicans
When these two teams met on Saturday, the Nuggets won a 141-135 overtime thriller. Even if the game hadn't gone to overtime, the two teams combined for 252 points in regulation.
The Nuggets followed up that performance by allowing the Warriors to score 134 points, and Denver fell to 1-2. The Pelicans haven't played since, but they've allowed at least 120 points in all three of their contests this season. In all, the Pelicans are allowing 128 points per game this season.
However, for as bad as the Pelicans' defense has been, the offense has been almost just as good. Though the Pelicans haven’t won a game yet, they've scored at least 119 points in every contest so far, and they rank third in points per game. With the Nuggets allowing opponents to make 47.3% of their shots this season, I don't see any reason the Pelicans don't keep up their hot offensive start.
Pick: Over 240.5 Points (-110)
Phil Wood is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Phil, check out his archive and follow him @Phil_Wood_Jr.