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Hey RotoBallers! My name's Josh Wiesel. I'll be helping contribute to this section and am excited to hopefully bring some good picks. The format will be staying relatively the same as we pick a variety of games against the spread, game totals, parlays, and teasers. I have added an underdog parlay at the end with two road dogs that would provide a nice payout.
There's a decent amount of games on the slate with nine this Wednesday evening. I'll be targeting two teams in revenge spots against opponents they lost to last time out. Another squad I have my eye on is a plummeting Western Conference team in a great bounce-back spot. Looking for a 3-0 start and a hot run toward the NBA playoffs.
In this article, I'll be providing my favorite picks against the spread and a money line parlay for NBA games that tip-off at 7:00 PM EST on Wednesday, March 1.
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NBA Betting Picks: Against the Spread
Brooklyn Nets (+7) @ New York Knicks (221.5 total)
The battle of New York heats up Wednesday night with the Nets taking the short trip to face the Knicks at MSG. Brooklyn covering against the Knicks is my favorite spot of the night. New York is rolling right now, winners of six straight and a perfect 3-0 since returning from the All-Star break. The play of Julius Randle has been the story for the Knicks as he's averaging 32.3 points in that post-All-Star stretch. There's been a lot of love for the Knicks recently and it's well deserved. I'm here to bring them a little back down to earth.
The last time these teams played, the Knicks won 124-106 on their home floor, covering the 3.5-point spread. Brooklyn hung tough in the first half and held a 61-58 lead going into halftime. It was a tale of two halves as the Knicks would outscore the Nets 66-45 in the second half, leading to the big win. Point guard Jalen Brunson would score 17 of his 40 points in the third quarter and the Nets had no answer for him. Tightening up their game plan, the Nets should be more prepared defensively in this contest.
Since that Knicks game, Brooklyn picked up a nice home win against the Miami Heat, got embarrassed by the Chicago Bulls on the road, became victims of a Trae Young buzzer-beater, and lost by 14 to the Milwaukee Bucks. They are kind of a mixed bag right now, which makes them an interesting team to back.
I like the Nets in this game due to the revenge factor (tacky, I know). When these teams faced off, it was only the second game since Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving got traded. This team has had more time to gel and certainly has enough wildcard scoring to keep it interesting. Players like Mikal Bridges, Spencer Dinwiddie, and Nic Claxton should be extra motivated to keep it close against their cross-town rivals. All signs point toward the streaking Knicks, which makes me favor the Nets even more.
New York is one of the best teams against the spread this season with a record of 34-26-3 (56.7%). When playing in MSG, this record drops to 14-16-1. Brooklyn is on the second night of a back-to-back but this game is the one they had their eye on. It's a lot of points to play with in what should be a close game.
The Pick: Nets +7 (-110)
Philadelphia 76ers (-2) @ Miami Heat (215.5 total)
After the Miami Heat beat the Sixers in Philly on Monday, Philadelphia returns the favor in South Beach. Small road favorites, the Sixers enter an even 13-13 ATS on the road but are 15-11 straight up. Losers of two straight, Philadelphia needs to get back to their winning ways in order to have a chance to move up the standings. Philly is also 11-9 ATS after a loss this season and 9-7 as away favorites. This line is basically a pick'em, I look more at the 15-11 record than the 13-13 here, giving Philly a slight edge. Miami's record of 8-19-2 ATS at home is the worst in the NBA.
The previous matchup was a 101-99 slugfest that saw the Sixers erase an 11-point deficit in the fourth quarter. Philly would take a 99-98 lead with 1:10 left but that was the last time they scored. Jimmy Butler hit a clutch layup and foul shot in the final minute. James Harden missed a three in the final seconds that would have won it. It was an ugly game between two teams in the bottom five for possessions per game.
Miami shot 15/37 (40%) from three which was uncharacteristic for a team that is bottom five in the NBA in three-point percentage at 33.3 percent. Philadelphia has done a great job defending the three-point line this season. They rank in the top five in lowest opponent three-point percentage makes. The Heat needed a really hot shooting night to narrowly win by two. Due for a regression, if Miami doesn't shoot above average, the Sixers should handle business.
Joel Embiid & co. escape the cold in Philly and pick up a nice road win in sunny Miami.
The pick: Sixers -2 (-110)
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New Orleans Pelicans (+1.5) @ Portland Trail Blazers (232.5 total)
Remember when the Pelicans were a top-three seed in the Western Conference? What was once looking like an incredibly promising season, has turned disappointing. Brandon Ingram missed time earlier in the season while Zion was playing great. Now, Ingram is back while Williamson is shelved once again. On a four-game losing streak, I like the Pelicans to get back on track tonight.
The Trail Blazers start and end with Damian Lillard. Especially with Anfernee Simons out, there will be even more defensive focus will be on the dynamic point guard. Shouldering such a heavy offensive load can wear on players and the Pelicans have good defensive players to throw at him. Dame is so unbelievable it's becoming hard to put it into words but he'll need his teammates to step up. In terms of pure talent between the two rosters, I believe the Pelicans have better players.
Portland gets a slight bump in the spread because they are at home, a place they've covered 17 of 31 games (54.8%). New Orleans is just 11-19-1 against the spread on the road but I don't think that is an accurate representation of this team. In nine February games, Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram averaged 28.3 points in 34.9 minutes on 49/41.7/87.7 shooting splits. He's fully returned back to form and will present problems for a Blazers defense that has been bottom three in defensive rating in their last ten games. Add in CJ McCollum returning back to Portland where he will look to have a big game and lead his team to a victory.
Keep the small points, the Pelicans win outright in this Western Conference affair.
The Pick: Pelicans ML (+105)
NBA Betting Picks: ML & Underdog Parlay
Favorite Money Line Parlay: PHI + NO + PHO (+327 DK)
Favorite Underdog Parlay: CLE + NO (+463 DK)
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