Big NBA Wednesday returns tonight with a massive 11-game slate. Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant are in action versus Chris Paul to cap the night, while we also get stars like Anthony Davis, James Harden, Paul George, John Wall, Damian Lillard and others on a fully loaded night.

It comes a day after a strong 6-0 straight up run and a 6-1 record the night before. You could say we’re in a groove right now. Can it last through a tricky 11-game schedule? Who knows? But we’re game. Let’s get to it, as we break down tonight’s NBA slate in Wednesday’s NBA betting preview:

Bulls @ Magic

Line: Magic -4 Total: 210

Chicago and Orlando clash for the second of four meetings, with the Bulls taking the previous meeting in the United Center back in November. These teams are very different now than they were then, as the Bulls come in without Jimmy Butler, Nikola Mirotic or Joakim Noah and could even be without Derrick Rose if he decides to rest. Orlando just happens to be at their best at the Amway Center (16-15 at home), too, while the Bulls have slid into a three-game losing streak and are just 11-18 on the road. I expect Pau Gasol to have a huge game and if Rose plays the Bulls have a chance, but they just aren’t very good right now. It’s right to side with the home team in this one and I like Orlando to cover.

Pick: Magic 103, Bulls 98

Blazers @ Celtics

Line: Blazers -4.5 Total: 217

Portland is scorching hot right now, as winners of three straight and 9 of their last 10 games. Beating the Celtics at TD Garden is a tall order, but Damian Lillard (30+ points in 7 of last 8 games) is unstoppable and the rest of the Trail Blazers are following suit. That being said, Boston is quite strong on their home floor (20-10) and is riding a nice three-game winning streak of their own. Look for Boston to flex their defensive muscle at home and stage the upset.

Pick: Celtics 104, Blazers 102

Pacers @ Bucks

Line: Pacers -2.5 Total: 203

Fans can expect a good amount of points for the third meeting of the year between these two Central Division rivals. The season series is thus far split (101), while both teams have poured it on thick offensively in their wins (120 and 123 points scored). The edge would normally go to Indiana, but they’ve dropped three straight and are just 13-18 on the road. The Bucks are getting top notch play out of their young trio – Giannis Antetokounmp, Jabari Parker and Khris Middleton – anyways, and are especially strong at the Bradley Center (17-10 at home). Look for that to continue in a minor upset.

Pick: Bucks 106, Pacers 101

Hornets @ 76ers (n/a)

There is no line at the time of this writing, possible due to Charlotte potentially resting some players against a weak opponent on the second game of a back to back set. Even if some Hornets sit this one out Charlotte is the obvious favorite, however, as they’ve gotten hot (7-3 in last 10 games), while the Sixers have just 8 wins on the whole season. The Hornets dismantled the 76ers last time out, too, so there is little reason to expect a different result tonight.

Pick: Hornets 112, Sixers 95

Jazz @ Raptors

Line: Raptors -6 Total: 194

Utah heads to Canada to take on the Raptors for the second time this year. Utah played host and won a tight battle back in November and on paper is a solid challenge for Toronto due to their imposing size down low with Rudy Gobert and Derrick Favors. The big mismatch comes at the lead guard spot, however, as Kyle Lowry projects to dominate this matchup. Toronto is also very tough to beat at home (21-6), so it’s easy to see why the oddsmakers like them. The line is a tad rich given how feisty the Jazz can be, though, so I like Gordon Hayward and co. to at least beat the spread.

Pick: Raptors 98, Jazz 96

Pelicans @ Rockets (n/a)

Here’s another game with no line at the moment, largely due to the status of Anthony Davis. The Brow missed New Orleans’ last game and could be out again tonight, so be sure to stay on top of his status. I tend to lean toward Houston either way, as they return home to try to end a two-game skid. They’re 16-14 at home and the Pelicans simply can not keep it together (7-22) on the road. Neither team plays any defense, so you can probably shoot for the Over in this one, no matter what the Total ends up being.

Pick: Rockets 109, Pelicans 106

Wizards @ Timberwolves

Line: Wizards -3.5 Total: 220

Brad Beal will come off the bench and Markieff Morris should start his second game in a row as the Wiz try to keep some really nice momentum going with a fourth straight win. The Wizards aren’t great (13-14) on the road, but the Wolves are pretty bad and this is not a game they can afford to lose as they maintain grim playoff hopes. I like the Wizards to win and cover.

Pick: Wiz 104, Wolves 99

Pistons @ Spurs

Line: Spurs -11 Total: 201.5

Detroit is a very stable team that is on the upswing with a solid four-game winning streak, but their hot run ends tonight in San Antonio. It’s easy to see the Spurs are the better team, but they also haven’t lost at home all year (28-0). Detroit has the inside/outside goods via Reggie Jackson and Andre Drummond to shock, but it’s not a good bet.

Pick: Spurs 104, Pistons 98

Kings @ Grizzlies (n/a)

Another no-show line here, as the oddsmakers probably want to learn more about Rajon Rondo and Rudy Gay, both of which have had injury issues lately. Memphis is without a doubt the better defensive squad here, but with Marc Gasol sidelined, they could be in trouble here – even at home. Memphis has done well to protect their home base (21-9), while they’ve handled the Kings so far (2-0 in the season series). Sacramento looked like they were building toward something for a second there, but hit the road riding three straight losses and posting just a 3-7 run in their last 10 games. Memphis doesn’t really have anyone to handle DeMarcus Cousins, but it may not matter.

Pick: Grizz 104, Kings 100

Lakers @ Nuggets

Line: Nuggets -6.5 Total: 210.5

Kobe Bryant is expected to return after sitting out on Tuesday night, in what will be his last game against the Nuggets in Denver. The Black Mamba could look to put on a show in his last stop at the Pepsi Center, while D’Angelo Russell could also build on a huge 39-point effort a day ago. The Lakers are an atrocious 5-29 away from home, but Denver looks lost offensively with Danilo Gallinari (ankle) on the shelf. A Lakers upset is a fun try in what should be a very fast-paced and high-scoring affair.

Pick: Lakers 104, Nuggets 102

Thunder @ Clippers

Line: Clippers -1 Total: 220.5

In easily the game of the night, Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant hit up the Staples Center to battle CP3 and the Clippers. Los Angeles has kept it together (won two straight, 7-3 in last 10) without Blake Griffin, while they’ve been good both on the road and at home (20-10). They’ll have their hands full tonight, however, as OKC puts up 110 points per game and already won a tight contest over the Clips back in December. OKC once again has the edge, and really should already be the favorite.

Pick: Thunder 107, Clippers 105

The Washington Redskins have committed to Kirk Cousins as their starting quarterback. Sort of. Per reports, the Redskins have assigned the non-exlusive franchise tag to last year’s starting quarterback, which nets Cousins a guaranteed $19 million for the 2016 NFL season and gives the two sides four months to hammer out a long-term deal.

Sources: The franchise tag the #Redskins are using on Kirk Cousins will be a non-exclusive franchise tag.

— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) March 1, 2016

The move is a sign that Washington is ready to move forward with Cousins as their guy under center, but it also dares another team to pry him out of D.C. for a cost. That cost would be two first round draft picks. Cousins is free to negotiate long-term contracts with any other team, but the non-exclusive tag gives them the ability to match any offer he’d agree to. Should the offer be too high, the Redskins would then be permitted to pass on signing Cousins and would be awarded two first round draft picks.

This does mean Washington remains high on Cousins, but it suggests they’d be open to the idea of a team over-paying him and handing them two very valuable assets. Per reports, Cousins is expected to sign “immediately” and the two sides can then work together over the next four months to figure out what a long-term contract would look like. Teams with major quarterback needs like the Cleveland Browns, Houston Texans and St. Louis Rams could potentially still factor into the mix if they end up discussing a possible deal with Cousins, but it’s extremely likely the signing of the non-exlusive tender keeps him in D.C.

You Like That?

Cousins was looking like a shaky bet to start off 2015, as he was almost a replacement for the struggling Robert Griffin III by default and was rather inconsistent out of the gates. Cousins responded with some gem performances over the course of the season, however, seemingly growing more comfortable and confident in Jay Gruden’s offensive scheme as the year went on. That played a huge hand in Cousins posting career highs across the board, impressively notching 29 touchdowns to just 11 interceptions, 4,166 passing yards and five rushing touchdowns. Cousins did a fantastic job of taking what the defense gave him over time, and made good use of deep threat DeSean Jackson and versatile tight end, Jordan Reed.

Cousins’ strong 2015 showing wasn’t restricted to just hallow numbers, either. Cousins performed quite strong in the clutch several times, even one time producing a viral Vine when he yelled “you like that?!” at the media following a comeback win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

On top of that, Cousins even helped Washington close the season strong, winning the final four games to claim the NFC East title. That earned the team a playoff appearance, where they went back and forth with the Green Bay Packers, before eventually running out of steam in a home loss in the wild card round.

Permanent Fix?

Cousins wasn’t the reason for Washington’s playoff exit in the end, and did much more good than bad in what was initially a trial run as the starter. That trial run took one step closer to being a permanent gig on Tuesday morning and with former franchise passer RG3 already with one foot out the door, it may not be long before Cousins signs on the dotted line for years to come.

Given the success Cousins saw in just one season at the helm, it’s conceivable to think he could improve in another year in Gruden’s system. That could bode well for the Redskins, who remain in a fairly weak division and have a good amount of talent on both sides of the ball. Keeping continuity at the most important position should only help the Redskins’ plight to make the playoffs a regular happening in Washington.

Monday night was a fantastic start to the NBA betting week if you rode along with us, as we went a healthy 6-1 to get the ball rolling. The only game that tripped us up was the Rockets/Bucks contest, which started with a -1 line anyways and ended up totaling an insane 249 points. I think you were fine if you shot for the Over.

Tuesday night promises to be just as fun, as we have a solid six-game slate and two games that have the potential to be real barn-burners. The rest are for the most part self explantory, but if you need some extra help finalizing your bets, we’ve got you covered regardless:

Suns @ Hornets

Line: Hornets -13 Total: 205.5

Phoenix is a hot mess right now, as they have an inexperienced coach in Earl Watson running the show and very little reliable talent to lean on. The Suns did (somehow) finally get a win, but they’re just 1-9 in their last 10 and for a second there had lost 13 games in a row. It’s extremely unlikely they suddenly put together a winning streak, especially on the road against a solid Hornets team. Charlotte is battling for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference and is pretty strong (19-9) on their home court. The Hornets get quite the line here, as they should. This one is probably headed for blowout central, so we’re rolling with the Hornets all day to cover. The Suns give up 107 points per game, but chasing the Over is risky here, as the Hornets play decent defense and Phoenix has so few quality offensive weapons.

Pick: Hornets 108, Suns 92

Blazers @ Knicks

Line: Blazers -5.5 Total: 208

Portland does not look like a team that would be scary, but they’re a top-three performer since the All-Star break and have really been a tough out since January. Damian Lillard is a huge reason why, as he’s scored 30+ points in six of his last seven games, while the Blazers have been a formidable 8-2 through their last 10 games. Their schedule hasn’t been brutal or anything, but they’re taking care of business and showing they’re not a pushover by any means. Portland is not good on the road (13-16), so even with their hot run there is certainly cause for pause tonight. Unfortunately the Knicks are falling apart (2-8 over last 10 games) and are just average (15-16) at the Madison Square Garden. I can’t pick the Knicks merely because this game is at MSG. Carmelo Anthony could also be somewhat limited with the feisty Al-Farouq Aminu draping him, too. I like Portland to cover, but given their suspect defense I think the Knicks hang in and can get the Over on the Total.

Pick: Blazers 106, Knicks 104

Bulls @ Heat (n/a)

The line was not out at the time of this writing because Derrick Rose is questionable to play and both of these teams seem to always be banged up. Miami is oddly the healthier team of the two, however, and is also at home, where they’re a decent 18-12 this season. If Jimmy Butler were back I’d give the Bulls a real shot here, but they’ve been sliding for a while now (3-7 in last 10 contests) and are pretty weak on the road (11-17). The injuries haven’t helped, while Miami has kept things together (6-4 over last 10 games) and even got stronger recently by adding Joe Johnson. I like the Heat straight up tonight, but I’m thinking more toward the Under on the Total, as Miami is a slow team and plays good defense. With Chicago’s offense obliterated by injuries, I doubt they come out and drop 100+ in this one, while the previous meeting (a Miami win) was pretty low-scoring (89-84). I’ll give this one some more points, but still having both teams below 100.

Pick: Heat 97, Bulls 94

Magic @ Mavs

Line: Mavs -5 Total: 214

The last time the Mavs and Magic square off we got some, well, Magic. The two combined for an explosive 110-104 overtime thriller, with Orlando prevailing back on February 19th at the Amway Center. The season series shifts to Dallas, though, where the wryly Mavs are a solid 18-12. Orlando’s poor 10-17 road record plays into the likely outcome here and betting on a second OT game is reaching, but this one should be a fun, fast-paced game. Both teams sport solid offensive ability, as Orlando can hit inside and out with Nikola Vucevic and Victor Oladipo, and the same goes for the Mavs, who balance their scoring out between Deron Williams, Chandler Parsons and Dirk Nowitzki. I like the Mavs by a hair here, but Orlando plays superior teams quite well. I’ll take the Magic to beat the spread, while the Total is worth chasing on the Over.

Pick: Mavs 109, Magic 107

Hawks @ Warriors (n/a)

This is another game with no line yet, as reigning league MVP Stephen Curry is questionable to play due to an ankle injury. Curry briefly left his last game with the ailment, but returned to drop 12 treys in a win over the Thunder. He could be tired and sore following that insane effort, while the Warriors wouldn’t be silly to rest their best player at home. That’s especially the case when you look at Golden State at the Oracle Arena this year (24-0). I like the Warriors either way, but if Curry plays I’d take the Over on the Total and very likely any line the oddsmakers put out.

Pick: Warriors 111, Hawks 106

Nets @ Lakers

Line: Lakers -1.5 Total: 210.5

The Lakers enter tonight’s showdown with the Nets as losers of eight straight, while Brooklyn just had a minor two-game winning streak snapped last night against the Clippers. This is a weird two-night stand at the Staples Center for Brooklyn, who will likely be pretty tired and will continue their road journey despite winning just six times away from the Barclays Center all year. Los Angeles hasn’t fared much better (six wins at home) but they did take down the Nets in the only other meeting this year. Kobe Bryant could suit up tonight, but either way it feels like L.A.’s skid is due to end against a pretty beatable opponent.

Byron Scott thinks Kobe Bryant will play on both Tuesday and Wednesday, though it is not certain.

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) February 28, 2016

Imagine that; the Lakers are favored and they might actually win. If you don’t feel comfortable with picking the Lakers, no one can blame you. There will be absolutely no defense in this game, however, so shooting for the Over on the Total isn’t crazy at all.

Pick: Lakers 112, Nets 106

The Houston Rockets and Ty Lawson have just decided to go their separate ways. Lawson’s role had been diminishing in Houston recently, making his departure less of an earth-shattering move than may have been a few weeks ago. Lawson being available for the highest bidder, of course, could be a big deal.

Lawson will now be free to either latch on with a playoff contender or he could sign with someone in dire need of point guard help. Odds are Lawson will want some type of mixture of money, role and an opportunity to win. Let’s take a look at five situations that could offer him some some or all of that criteria:

New York Knicks

Jose Calderon is New York’s current starter, Kurt Rambis hates Jimmer Fredette and Jerian Grant isn’t ready to take over. New York has slim playoff hopes, but if the old Lawson could step into a huge role and man the offense effectively, it’s not crazy to think that the Knicks could start to turn things around. Lawson himself sent out a tweet recently that alluded to the possibility of joining the Big Apple, so it’s surely something we need to consider.

Squad. #FBF pic.twitter.com/x6ehzqyfG2

— Ty Lawson (@TyLawson3) February 27, 2016

Lawson joining the Knicks would, in time, accomplish everything he’d be after. He could play out the rest of the season and help them try to finish strong and if everything worked out, he would get handed a new deal next year with a starting role. It’s anyone’s guess if Lawson can snap back into his previous form when with the Denver Nuggets, but if he can he’d give the Knicks a solid boost and naturally help them win a few more games.

Brooklyn Nets

Donald Sloan is Brooklyn’s starting point guard, Jarrett Jack is done for the year with a torn ACL and Shane Larkin is the team’s top backup. They even just agreed to a buyout with Joe Johnson, so the Nets don’t have a ton of talent to work with and they specifically could use some help with running the offense and scoring the ball. Lawson can help both and could also give Nets management a peak at what he could look like as the team’s starting point guard going forward.

Milwaukee Bucks

Jason Kidd has long been searching for a quality point guard to run the Bucks and it’s been made quite clear that it isn’t Michael Carter-Williams. The Bucks aren’t ever going to flat out cut MCW, but he’s been coming off the bench for a while, so they’re clearly open to all other possibilities. O.J. Mayo is starting, after all. Lawson would be the most natural fit at the starting point guard spot they’d have on their roster, and he could potentially show them that he’s the answer for the next couple of years. Even if that’s a reach, he’d be worth a shot for a team that does not have their answer yet at the most crucial position.

Los Angeles Clippers

This one is more about Lawson just wanting a defined role and also trying to win. The Clippers don’t have a quality backup behind Chris Paul, yet they’re quite arguably the only team close to contending that will give Lawson a shot. I can’t see teams like the Cavs, Thunder, Spurs or Warriors buying into Lawson right now. L.A. doesn’t have much to lose and it’d be a decent spot for Lawson to rehab his value for the open market next year. Once Blake Griffin gets back, the Clips would have a slim chance at making a deep playoff run, too. Lawson could add depth and outside shooting to that plight.

Utah Jazz

Utah is probably the team to watch here for two huge reasons: they actually were involved in trade rumors for Lawson just over a week ago and they still don’t have an answer at the point guard position. Shelvin Mack is arguably not an NBA starting point guard, Raul Neto isn’t either and Trey Burke is best utilized as a scorer off the bench. Utah liked Lawson enough to try to work out a deal, and now they could get him for basically nothing. Even more interesting is Utah’s playoff chances, as they’re on the cusp of worming their way back into the Western Conference playoffs (currently 9th). If things work out, Lawson would have a starting gig, the Jazz could make the playoffs and the two could agree to a long-term deal next summer.

Sacramento Kings

This is another backup role destination, although it doesn’t make a ton of sense. Rajon Rondo and Darren Collison have all of Sac-town’s point guard minutes spoken for. Still, George Karl loves Ty Lawson and he and the Kings are just crazy enough to think adding him would work out. This is probably the worst spot for Lawson in every way, as he’d have another shaky role, he wouldn’t be making big money and the Kings probably aren’t going to the playoffs.

Got another idea as to where Lawson will spend the remained of the 2015-16 NBA season? Tell us in the comments below!

Leap year will be run off in glorious fashion on Monday night, as the NBA funnels out a solid seven-game schedule with a litany of star players in action. One of the more explosive games of the night includes DeMarcus Cousins taking on the fiery duo of Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant, while we also get a showdown between Paul George and LeBron James.

For those games and more, let’s take a look at the NBA betting landscape for tonight:

Rockets @ Bucks

The Rockets and Bucks square off for the second time this year, after Houston won a tight game at home back in late January. The series shifts to the Bradley Center tonight, giving the Bucks a mild advantage, as they’re a strong 16-10 on their home floor. Houston was without Dwight Howard in the previous meeting, however, and needs to get back to .500 to stay in the Western Conference playoff hunt. Look for them to get a big road win tonight.

Pick: Rockets 106, Bucks 102

Nets @ Clippers

Brooklyn lost a pretty close game to the Clippers at home earlier this year, but this time will have to take down CP3 and co. at the Staples Center. That should be difficult even with Blake Griffin sidelined, as the Clips are a tough home team (19-10). Brooklyn also has specifically been awful on the road (6-20), and it’s tough to imagine both showdowns with Los Angeles being tight affairs. A blowout win by the Clippers would not be a surprise.

Pick: Clippers 108, Nets 96

Pacers @ Cavs

Paul George continues to come up very small in big games, as he shrunk last night and has not been his elite self in two losses thus far to the superior Cavs. The George vs. LeBron battle is still a nice draw, but Cleveland gets their star back (he rested last night) and simply don’t lose much at home (24-5 at Quicken Loans Arena).

Pick: Cavs 104, Pacers 101

76ers @ Wizards

Philly is a walking disaster and has already lost two games to the Wizards. They won’t have a great chance to steal a win on the road tonight. Washington has two straight wins and could finally be building some much needed momentum. They shouldn’t let a gimme win slip through their fingers tonight.

Pick: Wiz 106, Sixers 97

Jazz @ Celtics

Utah slows the place, but both of these teams can defend and Boston is actually very solid offensively, making this a tough game to predict tonight. Gordon Hayward should be up to face his former coach (dropped 22 points on Boston last time), while both teams are pretty healthy and should give a strong, tight game. Utah smoked Boston at home earlier this year, so there’s a good amount of reason here to think the Celtics come close to returning the favor at TD Garden.

Pick: Celtics 105, Jazz 99

Grizzlies @ Nuggets

Memphis is without big man Marc Gasol but an easy schedule has kept them pretty hot (6-4 in last 10 games). Tonight their lives remain easy against a Nuggets team that can’t defend and will also be without star scorer, Danilo Gallinari. Memphis should tighten up the defense and get a nice road win.

Pick: Grizz 101, Nuggets 93

Thunder @ Kings

This looks to be the most explosive game of the night, as it boasts three superstars in Sac-town. The Kings has actually been making some progress, but have now lost two straight and may be facing an uphill battle tonight against a superior OKC squad. At full strength the Kings could be in for the upset at home, but both Rajon Rondo and Rudy gay are iffy for this one. If either (and for sure if both) are out, the Kings are in trouble.

Pick: Thunder 108, Kings 101

After a busy Wednesday night, the NBA quiets down a bit on Thursday with a nice six-game slate. It’s a nice spot to be in when it comes to NBA betting, especially given some of the games on hand. Tonight is a good night to watch some of the top players in action, as well as shoot for the Over in regards to game Totals. But let’s take a closer look at each Thursday contest to see where you may want to lean as you try to finalize your NBA bets:

Warriors @ Magic

Orlando barely got past the Sixers the other day, so they are going to be hard pressed just to stay in this game against the defending champs. That being said, Golden State just had a tough road game against the Heat last night and could be spent. Orlando has also been at their best at home (15-14) and really has done a fantastic job of playing superior teams very close. That being said, Golden State is the better team and has lost just five games all year. They have history on the mind, so I doubt they get tripped up tonight.

Pick: Warriors 114, Magic 107

Bucks @ Celtics

Milwaukee carries a nice two-game winning streak into Boston tonight, where Isaiah Thomas and the 33-25 Celtics await. Boston is a solid 17-10 at home, while the Bucks are absolutely atrocious away from the Bradley Center (just 8-24 on the road). This series is tied at 1-1, so all things considered, I fully expect the Celtics to take over the series at TD Garden tonight.

Pick: Celtics 103, Bucks 98

Thunder @ Pelicans

This could be a very high scoring game when you consider OKC is on the road and both of these offenses can produce, but the Pelicans play absolutely no defense and the Thunder have looked fairly unstoppable lately (7-3 in last 10 games). Anthony Davis is going to need to be huge in this one, but with Serge Ibaka roughin him up, I doubt he has a big enough game to get the Pellies the win.

Pick: Thunder 107, Pelicans 102

Nets @ Suns

Two trash teams unite in the desert tonight, but on the surface the Nets look just slightly better than a Suns team that is truly falling apart. The Nets did just cut loose small forward Joe Johnson, but they should have enough scoring via Thaddeus Young and Brook Lopez to take it to the Suns tonight.

Pick: Nets 97, Suns 94

Rockets @ Blazers

Fans can expect a very high-scoring game late in the night when James Harden and Dwight Howard lead their Rockets into Portland to take on Damian Lillard and the Blazers. Portland has defied logic en route to six straight wins (9-1 in last 10 games) and play host to a very shaky Houston squad they’ve beaten twice this year already. Houston will surely be up to play tonight so they can even the series, but their lack of defense and troubles on the road (just 12-16 away from home) suggests they’re not ready for a big push against a hot team.

Pick: Blazers 108, Rockets 106

Spurs @ Jazz

While we have a few games that are bound to boast explosive offense, this battle in Utah doesn’t feel like it’ll be one of them. The Spurs have been amazing (just 9 losses), while both teams rely on elite defense (neither give up more than 97 points per game). Utah has a mild edge with this game being at home (where they’re an impressive 19-10), while it should be pointed out that all of San Antonio’s losses this year have come, you guessed it, on the road. The Spurs can’t look past Utah and they certainly could be a little tired after playing last night, but they’re the better team and should win big if they come in ready tonight.

Pick: Spurs 104, Jazz 92

Wednesday provides a healthy dose of 10 NBA contests, along with some superstars facing off in some marquee matchups. The Thunder and Warriors are in action and if we’re being honest, that alone makes the NBA fun for us tonight. There’s plenty of reason to get excited, though, and there’s a ton to consider before you finalize your NBA bets for Wednesday night.

Let’s break down all the action in case you plan on conducting some NBA betting:

Hornets @ Cavs

Charlotte enters Quicken Loans Arena red hot with five straight wins, and there they’ll contest with the Cavs, who have been strong with 7 wins in their last 10 games and an elite home record (23-5). Charlotte can be a real problem at times due to their ability to play strong defense and convert on outside shooting, and they’ll definitely be up for this game as both sides try to go up 2-1 in the season series. The Cavs just fell asleep recently in a loss to Detroit, though, so I expect them to be much more focused tonight at home.

Pick: Cavs 108, Hornets 102

Knicks @ Pacers

Carmelo Anthony and Paul George duel at Bankers Life Fieldhouse tonight, as the Knicks try to pick up the pieces of an awful 2-8 run and Indy tries to nab their 31st win of the year. Indiana has more talent and is at home, while the Knicks have been looking lost with major issues at the point.

Pick: Pacers 98, Knicks 93

Wizards @ Bulls

This is going to be a fun game, as the Wizards really push the pace and the Bulls have tried hard to move faster and better offensively this year. Chicago could be in serious trouble, though, as Jimmy Butler leads a big pack of players that are out and Pau Gasol is even iffy for this one. Chicago is at home, but they’re just 3-7 in their last 10 games and simply are too banged up to trust these days.

Pick: Wiz 104, Bulls 101

76ers @ Pistons

Philly has 8 wins on the year and is an abysmal 3-28 away from home. That’s great news for the Pistons, who are at home and have a pretty steep talent advantage. I expect Reggie Jackson and Andre Drummond to come up huge as the Pistons get themselves back to .500 at 29-29.

Pick: Pistons 96, 76ers 92

Warriors @ Heat

Miami can slow the pace down and play defense, but with no Chris Bosh, they’re bound to be in a ton of trouble tonight against the defending champs. Golden State is going to end up dictating the pace here and I just don’t think the Heat have the offensive fire power to keep up. Miami is pretty good in South Beach (18-11), but tonight they won’t be good enough.

Pick: Warriors 109, Heat 103

Timberwolves @ Raptors

The Timberwolves remain a young team still trying to figure themselves out, but can be an upset pick anytime out thanks to the development of both Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins. I’m not buying an upset in Toronto, though, as the Raptors have been pretty tough (19-6) at home this year and are building positive momentum again with two wins in a row.

Pick: Raptors 104, Wolves 96

Lakers @ Grizzlies

Memphis is staying the course at 32-23, but with Marc Gasol (foot) probably out for the year, it may only be a matter of time before they start to crumble. I doubt it happens at home against the Lakers, however. Memphis has been strong at home (20-9) and the Lakers have been horrid on the road (5-28).

Pick: Grizz 102, Lakers 91

Nuggets @ Clippers

Denver travels to the Staples Center as they try to snap their current three-game losing streak, but that should be tough with the Clippers holding the home fort down pretty well (19-9 at home). Blake Griffin is still out, but L.A. has been fine without him (7-3 in last 10 games) and routed the Nuggets in their only other meeting this year in Denver. I expect a lot of points, but the Clips should take care of business on their own floor.

Pick: Clips 111, Nuggets 104

Thunder @ Mavs

OKC looks to put an end to an odd two-game losing streak, while the Mavs play host and try to build on their solid 16-11 home record. Dallas doesn’t matchup with the Thunder all that well, though, which has been made pretty clear with OKC going up 3-0 so far in the season series. Odds are OKC goes for the sweep, as Dallas hasn’t displayed an ability to stop their explosive offense.

Pick: Thunder 107, Mavs 101

Spurs @ Kings

The Kings have actually been playing well lately (three straight wins) and are at home, but the Spurs are a different animal. DeMarcus Cousins is going to need a massive game to keep this close even in Sacramento, but ultimately Sacramento’s lack of defense (they allow 109 points per game) is going to be a huge issue. Kawhi Leonard could be back tonight, as well, and that’d naturally give the Spurs quite a boost. I like them , regardless.

Pick: Spurs 106, Kings 102

The NBA continues on Tuesday night with a healthy five-game slate; just enough NBA betting action to entice you, but not enough to beat you into submission. That’s the way we like it, and on top of it, we even have a couple of games that aren’t necessarily easy calls. Let’s break down all five matchups and see which way you may want to be leaning when you place your bets tonight:

Magic @ 76ers

The 24-30 Magic head to Philly to take on the Sixers tonight as they try to get one win closer toward a playoff spot. That’s a logical result even on the road given the fact that the Sixers are a woeful 8-47 on the year, but Orlando’s ugly 9-16 road record is still a troublesome stumbling block. Luckily Nikola Vucevic owns his former team and the Magic should be in a good spot to take the season series lead here, 2-1.

Pick: Magic 104, 76ers 99

Nets @ Blazers

Brooklyn limps into Portland with a 15-41 mark, having lost 7 of their last 10 games. Portland, meanwhile, looks like a legit Western Conference playoff contender, now two games over .500 (29-27) thanks to a five game winning streak and a 10-1 record in their last 11 games. Damian Lillard has been fantastic during that stretch and at home (where the Blazers are a strong 18-11), it’s unlikely Portland caves against an inferior opponent.

Pick: Blazers 109, Nets 101

Pelicans @ Wizards

Anthony Davis comes to D.C. for an encore as he tries to follow up his insane 59-point and 20-rebound performances with a big game against the Wiz. John Wall and co. have only been average lately (5-5 in last 10 contests), but at least play host and run at one of the fastest paces in the league. The Pellies can probably hang with them offensively, but it’s New Orleans that has been especially bad on the opposite end. We’ll give the Wiz the slight edge in what should be an exciting and high-scoring affair.

Pick: Wiz 107, Pelicans 104

Kings @ Nuggets

Speaking of exciting and high-scoring, the Kings and Nuggets face off for the second time in the past week and judging by the last game (Kings won, 116-110) we can expect a lot of points. DeMarcus Cousins could not be stopped in Sac-town last time and even on the road at the Pepsi Center, it’s rather unlikely a weak Denver interior defense will be able to stop him this time around, either.

Pick: Kings 113, Nuggets 109

Rockets @ Jazz

The Rockets have won both games against the Jazz thus far this year, but Utah played them tough at home and should do so again tonight. The Jazz come and go as their offense does, but their elite defense can give them a chance to take down anyone. A big night from James Harden could put the Rockets over .500, but due to their erratic play and non-existent defense, it’s tough to see Houston taking this road game to go up 3-0 in the season series.

Pick: Jazz 98, Rockets 96

The NBA was filled with weird performances this past weekend, but that’s bound to happen with games starting a little earlier. For whatever reason, that can impact how players perform, for better or worse. Things get back to normal on Monday night, though, and NBA bettors are graced with a solid 7-game slate.

There is a lot to take in even with seven games, though, so let’s prepare for Monday’s NBA betting grind by considering the matchups, injuries and more in tonight’s NBA picks column:

Pistons @ Cavs

Detroit’s enhancement of their main rotation has not paid off yet, as the team has dropped each of the first two games Tobias Harris has played in, along with five in a row, overall. Tonight doesn’t look like a good spot to snap that skid, as the Pistons are just 11-18 on the road and have to try to top a very good Cavaliers team that is 23-4 at Quicken Loans Arena this year. LeBron James and co. are cooking with gas, having just taken down the Oklahoma City Thunder and come into tonight riding a five-game winning streak. Picking Detroit to win doesn’t make a lot of sense here, but with the season series tied 1-1, I think Detroit can keep it tight enough to beat the -8.5 spread.

Pick: Cavs 104, Pistons 101

Pacers @ Heat

Indy and Miami meet for the fourth and final time during the regular season, with the season series finale going down in South Beach. Chris Bosh remains out and Dwyane Wade is iffy, so it’s obviously going to be very difficult to trust Miami, even though they’ve won two in a row with Goran Dragic and Luol Deng playing out of their minds. Indiana has also won two straight and 7 of their last 10, though, so they certainly present a considerable challenge. The Heat do have Hassan Whiteside back and he is coming off of a huge performance, so there is also logic to support Miami adding to their strong 17-11 home record. With Indy being average on the road (13-16), I’ll take the Heat to win straight up if Wade is active.

Pick: Heat 98, Pacers 96

Raptors @ Knicks

New York comes into tonight with a win and thoughts of a small winning streak, but still don’t look to be in amazing shape after dropping 8 of their last 10 games. They’ve been at their best at Madison Square Garden, but given they’ve gone just 14-15 at home this year, that may not be saying much. Toronto looks like quite the challenge even at home, as the Raptors have won 7 of their last 10 behind a very balanced attack at both ends. These two sides have split the season series to this point, but Toronto has been solid on the road (17-12) and is without a doubt the better team right now. Look for big performances out of Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan as the Raps get a nice road win and take the series lead.

Pick: Raptors 103, Knicks 98

Warriors @ Hawks

This was an awesome battle a year ago, but the Warriors have only gotten better and the Hawks have regressed. That being said, Atlanta has been a tough out at home (17-11) and Golden State’s five losses have all come on the road. The Hawks have been sinking lately, though, losing their last two games and 6 of their last 10. The Warriors are a little more vulnerable away from home, but they’re still an eye-popping 25-5 outside of Oracle Arena. As long as they remain focused, they look like the safe pick tonight. I do think the Hawks can make it interesting and beat the -7 spread, but shooting for the Over on the 223 Total seems a bit ambitious.

Pick: Warriors 106, Hawks 102

Lakers @ Bucks

Los Angeles heads to Milwaukee for their second and final contest with the Bucks tonight and we naturally get another goodbye on the Kobe Bryant Tour, as he’ll set foot in the Bradley Center for the last time ever. It should be another emotional night and The Black Mamba should deliver some points, while rookie point guard D’Angelo Russell could give the Lakers offense a boost in his second straight start. The Bucks are not a good overall team these days, but they’ve done a terrific job at home (15-9), while the Lakers are an atrocious 5-27 away from the Staples Center. There will be very little defense in this one, however, which should allow L.A. to hang around and beat the gaudy -8 spread. The Lakers stole a win last time in Los Angeles, so expect the opposite with this one in Mil-town.

Pick: Bucks 105, Lakers 101

Celtics @ Timberwolves

Boston has been very solid all year and at 33-24 are actually a strong stretch away from giving the Raptors a serious run for their money atop the Atlantic Division. Even though that might not be a lock, the Celtics can keep chasing the dream in Minnesota, as they’re a solid 16-14 on the road and the Timberwolves continue to sputter at 17-39. The Wolves have plenty of talent to work with and are at home, but they haven’t been able to take advantage (just 9-20 on their home floor) and are still sliding lately with 7 losses in their last 10 games. They could keep things interesting, but I still like Boston to cover and get the road win due to superior defense.

Pick: Celtics 107, Timberwolves 100

Suns @ Clippers

This has to be the easiest game to call on the night, as the Suns are down yet another quality player after trading Markieff Morris away. Phoenix has been unbelievably bad, losing 11 straight and going an embarrassing 4-22 on the road. The Clippers are playing without Blake Griffin and Chris Paul has a mild thigh issue, but should still take care of business at the Staples Center tonight, where they’re a strong 18-9. If CP3 suits up, this one should be a rout and the Clips could have a real shot at topping a ridiculous -16 spread.

Pick: Clippers 112, Suns 92