Wednesday Night NBA

By Divol

New Orleans Hornets v Memphis Grizzlies



21st January 01:05 GMT

Two very hot teams meet today, maybe two of the hottest teams in the league. Hornets with 8 wins in the last 11 games and despite losing their last game at home to the Spurs, they still have a scary 15 - 4 home record, one of the best in the league (5th best). Memphis even scarier with 9 wins in their last 11 games, including 4 in a row. Still, I feel pretty good taking the Hornets here.

First of all, Memphis still only 7 - 13 on the road and have lost both of the two last road games. Hornets after home loss and it's hard to see them lose two in a row at home. For the bet on Hornets ATS to win, we need home win + two baskets, so if Hornets win this one, I feel pretty good about covering as well. H2H wise, Memphis has bad history in NO. In fact, Hornets have won eight of the last 9 games between the teams.

Okafor and West are a decent frontline that can make life hard on the Grizzlies. But, I just can't see who will stop CP3. Memphis has many good PG's, but not even one really good one. The home court plus the hype from beating Suns and Spurs B2B plus the latest surge can do its work and make Memphis a bit too confident in themselves.



Pick: Hornets -3.5, 2.00 - 4 units play - Expekt


Washington Wizards v Dallas Mavericks



21st January 00:05 GMT

First of all, in three of the last four seasons, despite the teams staying more or less the same, season meetings between the teams ended in a sweep. Dallas won both meetings in two seasons, while Wizards did a sweep of their own as well. Last Wizards home win over Dallas was also the last time Wizards swept the Mavericks and it was on 21.01.08, almost the same date as today. Arenas was out of that game as well by the way. They came to that game off a win, a loss and a win as well, just like today. Not that big of a factor, but I like to have the history on my side in cases where the teams are the same more or less and 7 of the 10 starters in that game still with their teams.

As for the present time, Wizards saw Raptors, Knicks and Cats making one strong run and suddenly get themselves to playoff places or in a position to fight for them. They, after two home games and before 4 more, with all winnable games, besides Lakers that they can win as well. They must feel it's their chance, maybe last one to fight for the playoff. They are 4.5 games behind 8th seed and that means they need to start beating  big teams at home.

The best part for me is that the line is actually big enough to be a really nice cushion. 5 points means that Dallas needs to really come to this game and produce top performance or we will get to the final seconds with real chance for the Wizards to cover if not to win. Arenas absence can finally create hierarchy in this team. Jamison is the true leader of the team and now the team can unite behind him. It also creates real minutes to the rest of the PG's in the team.

I wasn't sure about the bet till I saw the 5 points line appear, but I just can't ignore such a nice bet.



Pick: Wizards +5, 1.9 - 2.5 units play - 188Bet


San Antonio Spurs v Utah Jazz



21st January 02:05 GMT

Well not an easy bet, but mostly due to the line, since it can be a very close game. Still, I can't help but ask myself, when, if ever, did Utah sweep Spurs in the regular season? And it's not like Utah are that great or Spurs that bad to make it understandable.

Spurs are a team that doesn't take the regular season too seriously, but we all can see that Pop and Duncan understand that this season things don't go their way and I doubt they want to get to the first round already without home court advantage, not to mention that fact that the West really tight as always and they can easily find themselves out of the playoff picture with one bad streak.

The rivalry with Utah was created mostly by Utah itself, but if someone really wants to beat you, you feel that you want to give extra to make sure it won't happen. Spurs off a rest and don't play tomorrow as well, so I really believe they will try to make a statement today.



Pick: Spurs -5, 1.91 - 3 units play - Paddy Power


Milwaukee Bucks v Toronto Raptors



21st January 01:05 GMT

First of all, loss tonight puts Raptors under 50% success and that is something they really want to avoid. I can add the fact that Raptors took a beating by 22 points from the Bucks this season already and both teams play again on Friday and I feel pretty good that Raptors will win at least one game and cover as well. Home court never been an issue between two teams that both won each other at home and on the road as well. Bosh can play hard against any Bucks big man, while Ilyasova and Bargniani can chase each other on three point line, but Bargniani is a much better player.

Raptors also have nice depth in backcourt and I just can't see Bucks having any real advantage in any position here.



Pick: Raptors +3, 1.92 - 2 units play - Expekt