NBA Best Bets Today: Predictions for Cole Anthony, Grizzlies and Wolves-Nuggets
By Peter Dewey
The NBA is following up Steph Curry’s historic night with an 11-game slate Wednesday night, but with the league’s COVID-19 outbreak, there are several big matchups that may not be the same.
Giannis Antetokounmpo will miss the Milwaukee Bucks’ matchup with the Indiana Pacers after being placed in the league’s health and safety protocols, and he’s just one of many.
All of these players being ruled out, especially with some coming close to game time, makes it hard for bettors to navigate. I’m right there with you all.
Still, I have a pair of picks that I like for tonight’s game, and I’m hoping that the COVID outbreak slows down around the league and doesn’t hit these matchups.
Let’s find some winners today, and stay safe out there, y’all.
All odds courtesy of WynnBET Sportsbook.
NBA Best Bets Record to Date
- NBA Best Bets Record: 49-62-2
NBA Best Bets Today
- Minnesota Timberwolves-Denver Nuggets OVER 219.5 (-110)
- Memphis Grizzlies -1.5 vs. Portland Trail Blazers (-110)
- Cole Anthony OVER 21.5 Points (-115)
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Denver Nuggets: OVER 219.5 (-110)
The Nuggets and Timberwolves both have struggled on the defensive end as of late, as they are 29th and 27th in opponent effective field goal percentage in the last 10 games.
Despite having a top-10 defensive rating at points this season, the Timberwolves are 21st in the NBA in opponent points per game (109.4) and they have hit the over in four straight games and eight of their last 10 games.
Denver has hit the over in four straight and 13 of its last 15 games.
The defense hasn't been great for these teams, and the Nuggets have been strong on offense, as they rank fifth in the NBA in effective field goal percentage.
Lastly, Minnesota is going to try to push the pace (the Wolves play at the league’s sixth fastest pace), which will lead to plenty of possessions on both sides. I’ll take the over.
Memphis Grizzlies vs. Portland Trail Blazers: Grizzlies -1.5 (-110)
The Memphis Grizzlies have been on fire as of late, even without star Ja Morant, winning eight of their last 10 games and moving from a bottom three defensive rating to No. 20 in the NBA.
Portland lost on Tuesday in overtime to the Phoenix Suns, and Damian Lillard played 47 minutes in the team’s loss. Lillard, fresh off an abdominal injury, may not see the same workload tonight.
The Blazers have been better at home this season than on the road, but there’s no way I can back this team without C.J. McCollum after Tuesday’s loss.
The Blazers are going to be tired heading into this game, and they’re facing a Memphis team that has held seven of its last eight opponents to less than 100 points.
Portland’s No. 27 defense is going to have a hard time competing with that, and the Grizzlies are No. 5 in the NBA in offensive rating despite Morant’s absence. Memphis dominated the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday, and I think it handles business against a much worse Blazers team tonight.
Cole Anthony OVER 21.5 Points (-115)
Cole Anthony is having a huge sophomore season for the Orlando Magic, as he is leading the team in points per game and assists per game while being third on the team in rebounds.
Anthony has scored over 21.5 points in four of his last six games, scoring 21 in one of the others. He dropped 29 points on Atlanta earlier this season (who ranks 25th in defensive rating) and is averaging 20.5 points per game on the season.
I also like the over on Anthony’s rebound prop (5.5 at -105 odds) considering he’s hit that number in three of his last six. Anthony is breaking out on a bad team, and I think he can put up the numbers on a Hawks team that has played four straight games with their opponent scoring 110 or more points.