After a few unlucky days, we look to get back on track with our best bets for the five-game NBA slate on Wednesday. Check out who Jake Smit is keen to back right here!
Also, be sure to check out our NBA tips page regularly to find our previews and best bets for every Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday slate for the entire NBA regular season!
NBA Betting Tips: Wednesday, 14th December
Golden State Warriors at Milwaukee Bucks
Fiserv Forum, 11:30am AEDT
The Warriors will be looking to improve their horrible road record when they head to Milwaukee to take on the Bucks. The defending champs are currently $2.52 underdogs against the 2020-21 champs ($1.53).
The disparity between the Warriors home and away form this season is nothing short of astonishing. They enter Wednesday’s game with a 12-2 record in front of their fans, compared to 2-11 on their travels. That gives them the equal best home record in the West, and the clear worst away record.
Meanwhile, the Bucks have been tough to beat at the Fiserv Forum with 12 wins from 15 attempts, and they’ve also been solid on the road (7-4).
On top of all of that, the Bucks have won their last two home games against the Warriors by an average margin of 29 points.
Those stats alone make the Bucks the highly deserving favourites for this clash, and that’s why I’m keen to play three units on them to cover their small line.
Milwaukee Bucks -4.5
$1.92 (3 Units)
New Orleans Pelicans at Utah Jazz
Vivint Arena, 1pm AEDT
The Pelicans have ascended to the top of the Western Conference on the back of an impressive seven-game win streak. As a result, they’re currently listed as favourites for their battle with the Jazz in Utah ($1.72 vs $2.13).
Not only have the Pelicans won seven in a row, but they’ve also won 12 of their last 14, and they’ve rarely been at full strength for any of them. Yes, they’ve been doing most of their damage on their home deck (12-3 record), but they’ve also improved to over 500 on the road (6-5).
In contrast, the Jazz have cooled off since their hot start where they won 10 of their first 13 games. They’ve since won only five of their last 16 and will enter Wednesday’s game on a two-game losing streak.
The Pelicans still have a lot to do until they convince the basketball world that they’re genuine championship contenders, but one thing they’ve done really well this season is win the games they’re expected to. In fact, they’ve won each of their last 10 games as favourites, and I expect them to extend that streak to 11 on Wednesday.
New Orleans Pelicans -2
$1.90 (1 Unit)
Boston Celtics at Los Angeles Lakers
Crypto.com Arena, 2pm AEDT
Are the Celtics going through their first form slump of the season? We’ll find out the answer on Wednesday when they travel to Los Angeles as slight favourites against the Lakers ($1.60 vs $2.36).
Last season’s runners-up will enter this game on a mini two-game losing streak, which equals their worst losing run this campaign. The Celtics were no match for the Warriors on Sunday and weren’t able to bounce back against the Clippers on Tuesday.
Likewise, the Lakers have been losing more games than they’d like recently. They travelled to Detroit on a three-game losing run, although they got back onto the winners list in a 124-117 shootout.
The poor play from the Celtics over their last two games does concern me a little, although both teams they’ve lost to are far better than what they’ll come up against on Wednesday.
Also, the Celtics have good form on the second leg of a back-to-back, having won their last five such games, and I fancy them to get the better of the Lakers in this one too.
Boston Celtics -3.5
$1.92 (1.5 Units)
