NBA Odds, Picks & Predictions: Wednesday (1/8)
The night’s big game will be between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Cleveland Cavaliers in Cleveland, Ohio. With a combined record of 61-9, these two teams are easily the best in the NBA right now.
This could be the NBA Championship matchup when all is said and done. I’ve added my favorite bet for that game and another matchup below. Let’s have a night.
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Wednesday’s Best NBA Bets
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
The Oklahoma City Thunder have one of the best offenses in the NBA. They’ve scored 116.2 points per 100 possessions and shoot a 54.6% effective field goal percentage. In addition, the Thunder have only given up 11.7% of turnovers, which ranks high in the NBA.
However, the Thunder are not great on the offensive glass and rarely get to the foul line. That said, Cleveland has given up 28.5% of offensive rebounds, and the Thunder will likely grab more offensive rebounds than they’re used to. Still, while the offense has been electric, the defense has been the primary contributor to their current 10-game win streak.
The defense has limited opponents to 103.6 points per 100 possessions and has held teams to a 50% effective field goal rate. They’ve also grabbed 18.9% of turnovers and continue to dominate the turnover differential game after game. However, the Cavaliers are the league’s best offense and rarely turn the ball over. Like the Thunder, the Cavaliers are also weak on the offensive glass and don’t get to the foul line often. It’s also likely that Cleveland adds a higher rate of offensive rebounds, knowing the Thunder have allowed 30.2% of offensive rebounds per game this year.
This is an evenly matched game between two of the best teams in the NBA. Yet, Cleveland’s offense has a little bit more to offer. At home, give me Cavaliers -2.5.
Pick: Cavaliers -2.5 (-110)
Detroit Pistons vs. Brooklyn Nets
The Nets are not looking to win many more games this season. In addition, the Nets won’t have D’Angelo Russell, Ben Simmons Cameron Johnson, and more players for tonight’s game against the Pistons.
This Brooklyn offense has only scored just 110.6 points per 100 possessions this year. That’s 23rd in the NBA. But now, without some of their best players, like Russell (or Dennis Schroder and Dorian Finney-Smith) and Johnson, the offense will only come from Cam Thomas.
The turnovers will likely stay high, and the offensive rebounds will be limited since the Pistons have held teams to just 25.5% of offensive rebounds per game this year.
On the other hand, the Nets have allowed the highest effective field goal percentage in the NBA. Teams have shot a 57.3% effective field goal rate against the Nets. Beyond that, Brooklyn has allowed a 22.7% free throw rate, which is 29th in the NBA.
The Pistons aren’t getting to the line at a supreme rate, but that should change tonight.
Even without Jaden Ivey, the Pistons should get quality looks and many buckets. I’ll take Detroit -8.5 on the road at.
Pick: Pistons -8.5 (-115)