NBA Wednesday Best Bets: 4 Games to Target
NBA Best Bets
The NBA lineup is packed with eleven matchups on Wednesday as we near the end of March, along with the completion of the regular season. With under two weeks to play in the regular season, teams make their final push to position themselves for the postseason.
We dive into a few of Wednesday's contests and briefly describe why we like that particular side. Without further ado, let's dig into the action and find some winners.
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Boston Celtics (48-28) vs. Miami Heat (47-29)
Two of the top teams in the Eastern Conference clash when the Boston Celtics host the Miami Heat. Miami holds just a one-game edge over the Celtics after a four-game losing skid that was snapped Monday night. The Celtics have won eight of their last ten games and can take at least a share of the top spot with a victory.
The Celtics are 39-35-2 against the spread and 17-19-2 ATS at home. Miami is 41-34-1 ATS with a 22-14-1 mark on the road. The Heat are 7-1-1 ATS in their previous nine games contests away from home.
Boston averages 110.8 points per game and surrenders a conference-best 104.0 points per game defensively. The Heat score 109.3 points per game and limit opponents to 105.2 points on defense.
Boston has had the upper hand down the stretch, but the Celtics aren't particularly great ATS at home, and Miami has a favorable mark on the road. Boston wins, but the game comes down to the final possession. We are riding Miami +5 in this one.
New York Knicks (34-42) vs. Charlotte Hornets (39-37)
The Knicks haven't been eliminated from the postseason yet, and the Hornets have locked up their playoff bid heading into Wednesday night's showdown. Charlotte is in ninth place in the standings, just a half-game in front of Atlanta for the last playoff spot. The Knicks are just outside the playoff picture, 4.5 games behind the Hawks.
New York is 36-40 ATS and 15-22 ATS in the Big Apple. The Hornets have a 41-33-2 record ATS and is 21-15-1 ATS on the road. Charlotte is 6-3 ATS in its last nine matchups against the Knicks.
The hosts pour in 106.3 ppg while holding teams to 106.8 ppg on the defensive end of the floor. Charlotte comes to NYC second in the Eastern Conference, scoring 114.7 ppg and conceding a division-worst 114.4 ppg.
The Knicks have won four in a row and are attempting to make a final push for a playoff spot. New York's defense will have its way against the Hornets' offense, and that will be the difference in the matchup. We like the Knicks +2 at home.
Toronto Raptors (43-23) vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (43-33)
Minnesota host Toronto in a cross-conference midweek tilt between a pair of playoff teams. The Timberwolves are sitting pretty in seventh place in the Western standings, two games behind the Denver Nuggets. Toronto is in sixth in the East, just a half-game back of the Chicago Bulls.
The Raptors have a 42-32-1 record ATS and an even 18-18 mark ATS on their home court. Minnesota is 42-33-1 ATS with a road record of 20-18 ATS. Toronto owns a 5-1 record ATS over its recent six contests against Minnesota.
Toronto is ninth in conference play averaging 109.1 ppg, and middle of the pack defensively, allowing 107.1 ppg. The Timberwolves are tied atop the Western Conference, scoring 115.4 ppg and limit their opponents to 112.2 ppg on defense.
Both teams are projected to safely be in the postseason, so there isn't a top of motivation for either team. Minnesota is likely to be without their fourth-leading scorer Malik Beasley again Wednesday night. Give us Toronto at home -3.
Golden State Warriors (48-28) vs. Phoenix Suns (63-14)
Two of the top teams in the Western Conference face off for the final time this season. Golden State is 2-1 in the previous three games played against the Warriors. The Suns have already clinched the best record in the league, while Golden State is in third place in the standings.
Golden State is 36-36-4 ATS and sports a home record of 20-16-2 ATS. The Suns are 42-33 ATS and 23-13 ATS in road games. The Warriors own a 6-3 record ATS in the last nine meetings versus Pheonix.
The Warriors are eighth in the West, averaging 110.8 ppg while surrendering the second-lowest output on defense at 105.7 ppg. Phoenix is third in the conference in both scoring (115.3 ppg) and defense (106.9 ppg).
Without Curry, the Warriors have a slim chance at handing the Suns a rare loss. Golden State has struggled recently without his presence in the lineup, losing six of its last seven games. The safe play Phoenix -6 on the road.
Derek Hudson
Derek is a long time sports bettor who grew up in Providence, RI. Derek is data driven and believes the key to betting the sportsbooks is finding an edge in analytics. Derek is happily married and has two young boys. Derek will bet on anything if you let him.
