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The NBA picks up the pace quite a bit on Wednesday night, as Big NBA Wednesday returns in full force with a crazy 11-game slate. We come in all smiles after a successful run on Tuesday’s slate saw us go a clean 5-0 with straight up NBA picks.
It’s going to be much more difficult to go perfect on such a busy slate, and it’s typically a good idea to corral your NBA betting on insane nights like this, too. Due to that, we’ll scale it back a bit tonight and focus only on four underdog NBA picks we really like. Let’s get to it:
Houston Rockets (+2.5) Over Oklahoma City Thunder (-2.5)
Anytime James Harden faces his former team, we need to pay attention. Harden absolutely lights these guys up, with almost 29 points per game averaged against them in his career. Last year specifically he put over over 33 points per game against OKC.
The Thunder sport the league’s 7th rated defense and obviously have a monster of their own in Russell Westbrook, but they’re only 4-3 on their home floor and they’re struggling badly (four straight losses) right now. On paper, Houston has been a little better and really pushes the envelope offensively. If Harden is on – and history suggests he will be – we love the Rockets as an upset pick.
Pick: Rockets 105, Thunder 102
Indiana Pacers (+3.5) Over Cleveland Cavaliers (-3.5)
This game is currently locked at most gambling sites like Bovada and others, as the odds will eventually be adjusted with the news that LeBron James will rest tonight:
ESPN Sources: LeBron James to sit out his first game of season when Cleveland Cavaliers face Indiana Pacers on the road this evening.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) November 16, 2016
That being said, Cleveland could still easily be viewed as the favorite with both Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love still expected to suit up. The Cavs will be on the second of a back to back set, but they’re 9-1 on the year and they surely won’t want to lose.
Not wanting to lose is one thing, but no LeBron James changes things, especially with this game going down in Indy, where the Pacers are an elite 5-1 this year. They’re just mediocre overall and their defense is atrocious, but a big game out of Paul George wouldn’t be shocking. Regardless of what the final spread looks like, we’ll roll with the Pacers for the upset.
Pick: Pacers 104, Cavaliers 101
Phoenix Suns (+4.5) Over Denver Nuggets (-4.5)
This might be the funnest NBA game of the night, as the early Total reports as 221 and both teams can move the needle offensively. Vegas must be picking the Nuggets because they’re at home, but they’re actually 0-3 on their own floor so far this year and as usual, stink at defense.
The Suns can’t defend either and are a putrid 1-5 on the road, but there are going to be a lot of points here and both of these teams aren’t very good. In what amounts to a toss-up, we’ll at least take the Suns to beat the spread in what should be a shootout.
Pick: Nuggets 106, Suns 104
Philadelphia 76ers (+7.5) Over Washington Wizards (-7.5)
Our favorite upset of the night is Philly beating the spread. I doubt they go out and full blown upset the Wizards, who are without Brad Beal but still have John Wall and everyone else. The Sixers are down Joel Embiid, too, so the real goal will be just keeping this one close.
I think they can do that against the Wizards, who are just as bad at 2-7 right now and are 0-4 on the road. Their defense is trash and they’ll be without Beal and with Wall are a minutes limit.
None of that is great news for the Wiz, but it should only aid Philly, who will shoot for their second win on the year (as well as at home). I don’t see Philly winning but, this spread is generous enough to pick them ATS.
Pick: Wizards 102, 76ers 98
