If you want to make a big splash in your bankroll before the NBA All-Star break, then Wednesday night is the night. The league has 11 games on the docket before our opportunities slowly start to dissipate with only a five-game slate Thursday. Let’s take full advantage and ride the momentum right into the All-Star break. Coming off a 2-1 night, I have another nice combination of a side, total, and prop so we can have a variety of bets going for Wednesday night’s action.
All lines via BetMGM.
SIDE: Brooklyn (+3.5) over New York
Recency bias is a seductive vice for bettors, and I am still taking a massive bite out of the big apple. I understand Brooklyn has been bankrupting its backers all year, but the Knicks are 2-8 ATS in their last 10. How can you not take the points in this situation, considering how the Knicks have been playing? The Nets are coming off a 24-point win in which the new acquisitions of Seth Curry and Andre Drummond paid immediate dividends, giving Brooklyn something the Knicks are desperate for: hope. New York is 24th in net rating over the last 15 games, and I cannot justify them as favorites here. I am happy to take the points with a team that will be more motivated to go into the All-Star break with some momentum. Points against the Knicks are always a good thing.
TOTAL: San Antonio at Oklahoma City 1st Half (Under 111.5)
This is a good situational spot to take advantage of the market not giving enough credit to an improving Thunder defense. The Spurs score points at the eighth-best clip in the league (111.8 pts), but appear to be running out of gas as we approach the break. Getting outscored 37-20 in the fourth quarter against Chicago, which struggles defensively, is a clear signal that their fourth consecutive road game was one too many. They can’t put away the suitcases quite yet.
The Spurs travel to Oklahoma City to face a young team building momentum on the defensive end. The Thunder’s 107.5 defensive rating over the last seven games is fifth best in the league. San Antonio road unders have been profitable this season hitting at over 60% while the first half under has cashed in four of the last five. I can’t see how the Spurs get up in their fifth straight road game knowing it’s their final game before the break. I have a feeling San Antonio starts the same way they finished in Chicago. Grab the first half under in case both teams mail it in after halftime.
PROP: Sabonis Points, Rebounds, and Assists (Over 35.5)
Domantas Sabonis was acquired by Sacramento to bring an end to the Kings’ playoff drought that has lasted over a decade and a half. His frustration after Monday night’s loss to Brooklyn should fuel a bounce-back against a team he has had recent success against. Sabonis has dominated the Bulls, averaging 19.6 points, 13.6 rebounds, and five assists in three games this season against Chicago. Injuries have impacted the Bulls on the defensive side of the floor, and Sabonis will face the weakest version of that defense Wednesday night. I expect Sabonis to be dialed in with a great situational matchup against an opponent that ranks 29th on the offensive glass and 25th in defensive rating over the last 10 games.
