We’re now a week into the new 2022-23 NBA season, which means the rust is gone and the best teams/players are starting to hit their straps. This Wednesday we a smaller four-game slate, but the headline act between the Warriors and the Suns should be a good one. Jake Smit takes you through his best bets for the day right here!
Also, be sure to check out our NBA tips page regularly to find our best bets for multiple slates each week!
NBA Betting Tips: Wednesday, 26th October
Detroit Pistons at Washington Wizards
Capital One Arena, 10am AEDT
Two bottom four teams in the Eastern Conference from a season ago will get Wednesday’s four-game slate underway. The 1-2 Pistons ($2.78) will be the underdogs when they travel to take on the 2-1 Wizards ($1.45) in Washington.
There are a number of teams expected to tank their hearts out this season, and the Pistons are at the front of the pack. Their starting line-up features four guy who are 23 or younger, plus Bojan Bogdanovic who was a strange acquisition.
The Pistons won their opening game against another young team in the Magic but have comfortably lost their last two against the Knicks and the Pacers, giving up a combined 254 points in the process.
The Wizards were expected to join the tankathon by trading away key assets Bradley Beal and Kristaps Porzingis in the off-season, however they couldn’t find suitors and will run it back instead – at least for now.
They’ve begun their campaign strongly and could easily be 3-0 had they not gone down in overtime against the Cavaliers last start.
The Wizards are clearly the stronger team on paper in this matchup and also have form on their side having won each of the last five games against the Pistons. I expect them to enjoy another relatively easy win on Wednesday.
Washington Wizards -5
$1.90 (2.5 Units)
Dallas Mavericks at New Orleans Pelicans
Smoothie King Center, 10:30am AEDT
The revamped Mavericks ($1.49) will start favourites when they take to the road to visit New Orleans and play the Pelicans ($2.63).
The Mavericks looked likely to inflict more pain on the Suns when they led by as many 22 in their season-opener, although it wasn’t to be as the Suns rallied back to win by two points in a thriller in the Valley.
Desperate not to let a big lead slip again in their second outing of the season, the Mavericks kept their foot on the gas to destroy the talented Grizzlies at home by 41 points.
Now with one of the most talented rosters in the league on paper, there was a bit of pressure and a fair amount of hype surrounding the Pelicans heading into this season.
A seemingly fit and healthy Zion Williamson is always a cause for optimism, but the healthy part hasn’t lasted long as he’s listed as questionable for this gamer after picking up an injury in his team’s recent loss to the Jazz.
That loss against the Jazz came in overtime and was the Pelicans first loss of the season, coming after emphatic road wins against the Nets and the Hornets.
The Mavericks won the season series 3-1 against the Pelicans last season and won both encounters at the Smoothie King Center. They’re the deserving favourites to continue their run at this venue and should be able to cover the small spread.
Dallas Mavericks -4.5
$1.90 (1 Unit)
Golden State Warriors at Phoenix Suns
Footprint Center, 1pm AEDT
Two of the strongest teams in the league will lock horns on Wednesday, with the Suns ($1.70) welcoming the Warriors ($2.15) to Phoenix, Arizona.
The defending champion Warriors received their rings on opening night and celebrated the night with an easy win over LeBron James and the Lakers. They’ve since lost to the Nuggets and recently defeated the Kings to take them to 2-1 before hitting the road.
Steph Curry has made a blistering start to the season with an average of over 33 points per night, but the same can’t be said about his fellow splash brother in Klay Thompson (14ppg) who’s still working his way back to his best.
The Suns ended last season with huge disappointment when they bowed out in the second round of the playoffs against the Mavericks. They got some revenge in their season-opener when they defeated the Mavericks by two points but couldn’t back that performance up against the Trail Blazers.
Devin booker is averaging 32 points per game on high efficiency through three games, although Chris Paul can’t throw it into the ocean at the moment and comes into this matchup averaging just 7.7 points.
The Suns have been by far the best regular season team over the past two years and have hit the ground running again this campaign. They’re extremely tough to beat in Phoenix and are good value to deal the Warriors their second loss of the season.
Phoenix Suns -2.5
$1.90 (2 Units)
