NBA Odds, Picks & Predictions: Wednesday (12/11)
Last night, the Milwaukee Bucks and Oklahoma City Thunder each won their home games in the first two NBA Cup quarter-final matchups.
Tonight, the Knicks will host the Hawks, and the Rockets will welcome the Warriors to town for the next two quarter-final matchups in the NBA Cup.
Will the trend continue with the home teams winning tonight? Find out below.
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Wednesday’s Best NBA Bets
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Atlanta Hawks vs. New York Knicks
Trae Young will hear it tonight. Despite being a respectful athlete, he’s become the villain whenever the Hawks visit the Knicks.
It’s ultimately from previous playoff matches, where he’s played well for the Hawks. It should make for a fun and competitive quarter-final NBA Cup matchup.
That said, the Hawks aren’t scoring at a super high rate. Atlanta has added 113.6 points per 100 possessions and shot a 53.5% effective field goal percentage, which is near the NBA average. The Hawks have also turned the ball over 15.5%, which ranks 21st in the NBA.
Meanwhile, Atlanta has still earned 31.3% of offensive rebounds and has added a 20.5% free-throw rate. These are good numbers except for the fact the Knicks rank ninth in defensive rebounding and seventh in defensive free-throw rate. There’s a good chance the Hawks don’t add as many offensive rebounds and also don’t see the foul line as much.
On the other hand, the Knicks have scored the most points per 100 possessions this season. The offense has earned a 58.9% effective field goal percentage while turning the ball over just 12.4% of the time. The turnover rate might increase, but the shot-making should also be high.
The Hawks have allowed an effective field goal percentage of 56.2%, which ranks 26th. If the Knicks get good looks, they’ll capitalize, especially at home.
Grab the Knicks at -7.5.
Pick: Knicks -7.5 (-105)
Golden State Warriors vs. Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets have been one of the most shocking teams in the NBA this season. They’ve gone 16-8 this year and have one of the best defenses in the NBA.
The Rockets rank second in the NBA in points per 100 possessions and have held teams to a 50.6% effective field goal percentage. Houston also ranks above average in defensive turnover percentage and defensive rebounding. The Rockets are sending teams to the foul line a little too much. That said, the Warriors have one of the lowest free throw rates in the NBA.
Additionally, the Warriors have shot an effective field goal percentage of 53.4%, which ranks 20th in the NBA.
Meanwhile, Houston’s offense has performed better. The Rockets have scored 114.6 points per 100 possessions but have struggled from the field, shooting an effective field goal percentage of 50.5%. With the Warriors holding opponents to a 51.4% effective field goal percentage, it’s unlikely the Rockets make a high rate of shots either.
Let’s back the under.
Pick: Under 221.5 (+100)