NBA Wednesday - Six Free Picks
by Dave D
Orlando Magic
BetUS Sportsbook handicappers will have to be careful on Wednesday night as the Orlando Magic play host to the Los Angeles Clippers.
Clearly, both teams are at the opposite ends of the spectrum as far as NBA teams are concerned, but the Magic will be without point guard Jameer Nelson, who has a torn labrum. Nelson was an Eastern Conference All-Star and the Magic simply can’t be considered the same team without him.
The Clippers are brutal and pretty much don’t care about their season anymore, but they might be able to cover this huge number with Nelson out.
Pick: Clippers +13
Toronto Raptors
Speaking of teams who are mailing it in, sports betting sharps have watched the Toronto Raptors mail it in for 10 of their last 13 games. The Raptors are off of two blowout losses to the Magic and Cavaliers, and a discouraging home loss to the Milwaukee Bucks.
The Lakers are still rolling and are refocused now that they’ve lost center Andrew Bynum for 10 to 12 weeks.
Look for the Raptors to produce another poor effort as the Lakers are simply superior.
Pick: Lakers -7.5
New Orleans Hornets
The New Orleans Hornets will play Wednesday night’s game without their star point guard, Chris Paul. Paul, who is nursing a groin injury, will miss the game and potential a few more.
The Hornets are really struggling right now, losing each of their last three games, which makes this their longest losing streak of the season. Antonio Daniels will start in his place.
The Bulls have played fairly well on their seven-game road trip, winning three of the first six contests. That’s pretty good for a team that’s only 8-18 on the road this season.
Look for the Bulls to be a handful as Paul sits out.
Pick: Bulls +2.5
New York Knicks
Just one game after the Kobe Bryant set a new Madison Square Gardens high for point scored by an individual player with 61, the New York Knicks welcome another star in LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Knicks are just 14-10 on the season and although they’ve improved this season, they are still a mediocre team in the East.
The Cavaliers are much stronger and won’t slip up on the road in New York.
Pick: Cavaliers -5.5
Oklahoma City Thunder
The Oklahoma City Thunder may only have 11 wins on the season, but they’ve played much better of late.
The Thunder, who at one point were 3-29, are 8-8 in their last 16 games and are 6-2 at home in that stretch.
The Nuggets are fresh off a big home win against the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday and will likely be more tired and less focused. Both Kenyon Martin and Chauncey Billups are both questionable for Wednesday night’s game so the Nuggets might be shorthanded.
Pick: Thunder +2
Minnesota Timberwolves
The Minnesota Timberwolves are offering good value for sports betting handicappers on Wednesday night as they host the Atlanta Hawks.
While the Timberwolves overall record is horrible, they have been one of the best teams in the NBA since the start of 2009.
The Timberwolves are 11-5 this year but their losses have come to the Heat, Jazz, Lakers, Celtics and Pacers.
On Wednesday, sportsbook odds have them favored by a small number against the Hawks, who have lost four of their last five games.
Pick: Timberwolves -2.5
