Big Wednesday is here in the NBA, and there are plenty of
games to choose from. Below are three of my favorite picks for tonight and why
I think they will cash you a winner.
Philadelphia 76ers vs. Orlando Magic
The 76ers have been nothing short of outstanding this
season. They are almost certainly the NBA's most improved team and are one of
the best defensively. The 76ers find themselves with a 20-9 record and one of
the East's best teams. They travel into Orlando with a date with the streakiest
team in the NBA, the Magic. The 76ers have beaten the Magic once this season,
in Philadelphia; 74-69.
Even though the Magic have looked better over their last eight games, they are
well overdue for a clunker. Plus, the Magic have not been very successful
against teams with good defenses. They are 0-4 against Chicago, Philly, and
Boston this season. All of the aforementioned teams are the top three defensive
teams in the league. When it comes to shutting down the Magic, the Sixers not
only implore great defense, but their offense is so diverse, they will make the
Magic work extra hard on the other end.
Even though these two team's last ten meetings heavily favor
the Magic, my money is with the 76ers taking points here. The 76ers are a different
team from the last few seasons. Dwight Howard has been cold
and his struggles will continue tonight.
My Pick: 76ers +2.5
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Houston Rockets
Both of these teams played last night and had to travel.
With that, I'm going to bet with the better and more experienced team. The
Thunder dominated Utah once again last night and scored 111 points in the
process but the game went UNDER as Joe Freda predicted. The Rockets on the other hand couldn't figure it out last night, as
they fell to the Grizzlies 93-83.
The Thunder are red hot right now and have won their last
four meetings against the Rockets. They have also won three of their last four,
while the Rockets have now lost two straight games. With how up and down the
Rockets have been this season, OKC should take care of Houston here.
Houston has no one to check Kevin Durant, and Russell
Westbrook has been on fire in his last five games. The Rockets on the other
hand have gotten nothing from their best player; Kevin Martin, over his last
six. Westbrook has averaged 27 points per game over his last five, while Martin
has scored in double digits only once in his last six. Besides a 28 point game
against Golden State on Sunday, Martin has scored, 2, 8, 4, 2 and 0 points in
five of his last six. This kind of inconsistent play is killing my fantasy team
and the Rockets.
My Pick: Thunder -2.5
Portland Trailblazers vs. Golden State Warriors
This is purely a gut call, but news that just broke this
morning makes this a great value pick. I wasn't even going to touch this game
until I saw what happened last night to the Blazers by the hands of the
Wizards. The Wizards worked the Blazers all game. It also might have had
something to do with the fact that early in the first quarter, LaMarcus
Aldridge sprained his ankle and left the game. He did not return.
Breaking news out of Portland this morning is that Aldridge
will not travel with the team to Oakland to face the Warriors. You're the smart
one if you can figure out that means he won't play. After he went down last
night, the Blazers looked stagnant on offense. They didn't know where to go
with the ball when the shot clock was running out.
The Warriors are built a lot like the Wizards. Young; with
great guard play. Golden State is coming on really strong. They have won three
in a row, four of their last six, and have scored an average of nearly 110
points per game over those six games. Get it in your NBA picks now while you can, before the
NBA lines men adjust their odds.
My Pick: Warriors -2.5