NBA Best Bets Today: Predictions for Wizards, Gordon Hayward, Christian Wood and More

NBA Best Bets is back for a four-game slate on Sunday and while the best matchup of the night, the Atlanta Hawks against the Charlotte Hornets, will be missing some key players, there are still plenty of things to look forward to on Sunday.

Tonight, I'm looking at a pari of upsets as well as some player props for Gordon Hayward and Christian Wood. Let's get this week off to a solid start!

All odds courtesy of WynnBET Sportsbook.

NBA Best Bets Record to Date

• NBA Best Bets Record: 37-45-1 (-10.8156 units)

NBA Best Bets Today

• Washington Wizards Moneyline vs. Toronto Raptors (+100)
• Houston Rockets Moneyline vs. New Orleans Pelicans (+120)
• Gordon Hayward OVER 18.5 Points (-125)
• Christian Wood OVER 18.5 Points (-105)

Washington Wizards vs. Toronto Raptors: Wizards Moneyline (+100)

Toronto, which will once again be without OG Anunoby, is 10-13 this season and has lost three of its last four. However, the Raptors did upset the Milwaukee Bucks their last time out.

Toronto is surprisingly one of the worst teams in the NBA against the spread this season, going just 9-14, and it’s an NBA-worst 2-9 against the spread at home this season. 

Washington, on the other hand, has been far worse on the road against the spread (4-8) than at home (8-3). 

Which trend will break tonight? 

I am having a hard time backing Toronto without Anunoby, as the team is just 3-5 since he injured his hip. Toronto is also just 3-8 straight up at home this season. 

I think Washington’s No. 12 defense and depth will be a little too much for the Raptors in this one, and I like the Wizards at even money to come away with the win tonight. 

New Orleans Pelicans vs. Houston Rockets: Rockets Moneyline (+120)

The Houston Rockets have won five straight games (no, that is not a typo) and they have a chance to make it six against the lowly New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday. 

New Orleans is coming off a big win against the Dallas Mavericks on Friday, and while both of these teams have struggled out of the gate, they are trending in the right direction heading into this matchup. 

I’ve been fading the Pelicans all year without Zion Williamson, and they are just 11-14 against the spread this season, but this is just the second game that they’ve been favored in all season. 

Houston, which is just 10-11-1 against the spread this season, is 4-6 ATS at home, but I think the move in this matchup is to back the home dog. 

Houston is 28th in offensive rating this season, but it is much better defensively than you’d expect, coming into Sunday’s game with the NBA’s No. 18 defensive rating. New Orleans, on the other hand, is 26th and 27th in those metrics. 

Gordon Hayward OVER 18.5 Points (-125)

LaMelo Ball, Terry Rozier, Mason Plumlee and Jalen McDaniels will all miss this game as they are in the NBA’s health and safety protocols, which means someone is going to have to pick up the slack scoring the ball for the Charlotte Hornets. 

Hayward is averaging 17.3 points per game this season, and he’s done it efficiently, shooting 46.2 percent from the field and 40.6 percent from beyond the arc. 

I think Hayward’s usage jumps from his 20.9 percent usage rate and 13.2 shots per game this season. Atlanta is also just No. 21 in the league in defensive rating, so Hayward certainly could exploit this defense. 

Christian Wood OVER 18.5 Points (-105) 

Houston Rockets big man Christian Wood has been on fire lately, scoring 20 or more points in three of his last four games and posting 14 or more rebounds in three of those games as well. 

The only time Wood failed to hit either number was when he left the Rockets’ game against the Oklahoma City Thunder early with an ankle injury, but he returned to get 20 and 14 against the Orlando Magic the following game. 

The Pelicans are a poor team defensively. With Jalen Green and Kevin Porter Jr. both out, Wood is going to be the go-to guy tonight. 

BONUS Pick: Christian Wood OVER 10.5 Rebounds (-105)