NBA Preview: Wednesday, February 9
Largest Line Favorites are Roadies
Six games comprise NBA’s Wednesday night slate, including a national doubleheader between evenly matched teams. The three biggest favorites on the NBA betting lines are all road teams: Toronto, Minnesota and the Los Angeles Lakers. A parlay of their moneylines pays out $85 for every $100 bet (-117).
We note that rosters are subject to late changes, as the league is one day out from its trade deadline.
San Antonio Spurs at Cleveland Cavaliers (7:10 p.m. ET)
Don’t look now, but the Cleveland Cavaliers are just 1½ games back of the top spot in the East. They host the San Antonio Spurs as favorites after a two-day break. The Cavs have won 11 of their last 14 games, recently covering their last couple. San Antonio snapped a three-game losing skid with a blowout win over the Houston Rockets, but is just 9-13 against the spread opposing the East.
Chicago Bulls at Charlotte Hornets (7:40 p.m. ET)
Desperate Eastern Conference playoff contenders meet as the closest line of the evening. The total is another story, the highest of the evening. Note that the ‘over’ has cashed in these teams’ last nine meetings in Charlotte. Bet online on this one to have plenty of fast-paced action though that total is quite high.
Toronto Raptors at Oklahoma City Thunder (8:10 p.m. ET)
From the highest total to the lowest, the Toronto Raptors entering Wednesday evening as the largest favorites. However, the last time these teams met, the Oklahoma City Thunder pulled off an upset as a 7½-point underdog. Toronto has won and covered six straight games, but is just 2-6 ATS when favored by 7½ points or greater.
The @Raptors make it SIX STRAIGHT WINS as they top Charlotte 116-101!
Gary Trent Jr: 24 PTS, 4 3PT, 3 REB
Pascal Siakam: 24 PTS, 11 REB, 8 AST
Fred VanVleet: 20 PTS, 6 3PT, 5 AST
OG Anunoby: 20 PTS, 9 REB, 3 STL
Scottie Barnes: 15 PTS, 8 REB, 3 AST#WeTheNorth pic.twitter.com/kz5BfHPXi6— NBA Canada (@NBACanada) February 8, 2022
Golden State Warriors at Utah Jazz (10:10 p.m. ET)
In a surprising twist, the Utah Jazz are favored over the Golden State Warriors. The Jazz have been taking a beating on the online sports betting arena, covering just four of their last 16 games. They have a 43.4% cover rate, the second-lowest among teams above .500. The Warriors are dealing with a slew of injuries, putting their nine-game winning streak is at stake.
Los Angeles Lakers at Portland Trail Blazers (10:10 p.m. ET)
The Los Angeles Lakers are back at it, one night after getting flattened by the Milwaukee Bucks. LA takes a short trip to face the tanking Portland Trail Blazers, losers of six straight games and eight of their last nine. This is the largest Laker spread since facing Orlando last Dec. 10th. They have gone 4-6 ATS as a road favorite this season. Portland, meanwhile, is 4-8 ATS as a home underdog.
Minnesota Timberwolves at Sacramento Kings (10:10 p.m. ET)
The Minnesota Timberwolves and Sacramento Kings remain in the California capital, a scant 24 hours after Minnesota’s 20-point domination. Neither team is particularly good against the spread the second night of a back-to-back, with cover rates under 46%. However, 21 of the Wolves’ 28 road games have gone over the total.
