NBA 6-Pack - The Best Bets for Wednesday Night
by Dave D
Cleveland Cavaliers
Maybe on paper the New Jersey Nets are vying for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, but nobody takes that idea seriously. On Wednesday, the Nets will travel to Cleveland without Devin Harris to face the Cavaliers.
The Nets have been an underdog of 12.5 points or more three times this season and each contest they have failed to cover and win.
The Cavs have won nine straight and are focused right. They won't stumble to the struggling Nets.
Pick: Cavaliers -12.5
Philadelphia 76ers
The Minnesota Timberwolves have won just three times in their last 23 contests and have been absolutely atrocious since they lost power forward Al Jefferson for the season. But there is a small glimmer of hope for the Timberwolves on Wednesday.
They have been extremely fatigued of late but their starters got a full-quarter break in the fourth quarter of their previous game. Sports betting fans watched the Timberwolves get blown out at the hands of the Atlanta Hawks, which allowed for the rest.
Combined with that is the fact that the Philadelphia 76ers are playing their first game home since a West Coast road trip. Fatigue might be a factor for them.
Look for the T-Wolves to hang around.
Pick: Timberwolves +10
Toronto Raptors
Two of the worst teams in the NBA square off on Wednesday and while NBA betting fans will note that the Bucks are the better team record-wise, the Raptors are in fact the more talented team.
The Bucks will likely be without point guard Luke Ridnour, which hinders a team that is already missing Andrew Bogut and Michael Redd.
The Raptors won big over the Los Angeles Clippers in their last game so look for them to build on that.
Pick: Raptors -3
New York Knicks
It doesn't get much uglier than this for sports betting fans as the Los Angeles Clippers, who have lost 11 of their last 13 games, travel to New York to face the Knicks, who have lost five straight.
The Knicks can't buy a win right now - even at home - as they've lost three straight at home with losses to New Jersey, Sacramento and Orlando.
The Clippers have been decent of late, covering the spread in five of their last nine games, so there is some reason to trust them.
Pick: Clippers +7
Orlando Magic
The Orlando Magic will get an opportunity to gain some ground on the Boston Celtics on Wednesday in the race for home court advantage.
The Celtics, though, are getting healthier as Kevin Garnett is back.
For the Magic, this is a statement game as the Celtics are considered the measuring stick in the Eastern Conference. The Magic are 6-1 against the spread and straight up as a home favorite of 3.5 to six points, and have covered the spread in eight of their last 12 games.
With the Celtics still looking for a rhythm, the Magic should be able to pull out a win on Wednesday.
Pick: Magic -3.5
Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns are still trying to chase down the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference and although the injuries are piling up, so are the wins.
The Suns are now without Amare Stoudemire (season) and Leandro Barbosa (1-3 weeks) but have managed to win five straight games and climb back into the playoff race.
They'll get a chance at the Jazz, who should be somewhat fatigued after going head-to-head with the Houston Rockets last night. Look for the Suns to pull out another close win as fatigue wears on the Jazz in the second half.
Pick: Suns -2.5
