Top NBA Picks and Predictions for March 23 (One Total, Two Road Teams to Back on Wednesday)
How should you bet on the NBA on Wednesday, March 23?
The BetSided duo of Peter Dewey and Donnavan Smoot have you covered with a few of their favorite picks for the action tonight, with all odds via WynnBET Sportsbook.
Orlando Magic vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Prediction and Pick
The Thunder are one of the best teams in the league against the spread, sporting the second-best record. With this little margin between the teams, I'll back the Thunder. Oklahoma City also has the best player in this game in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. He's been absurd over the last 10 games. He's scored over 30 in seven of the last 10 games, which is the reason I'm backing the Thunder tonight.
Orlando beat the Thunder by five points on Sunday, but SGA was inactive for that game. The Magic have been better than the Thunder during March, with their net rating 6.7 points higher. However, the Thunder have played well against teams in the same tier as them.
Oklahoma City has enough talent to compete with the Magic, and I think the Thunder are due for a win tonight. At home with plus money makes them an intriguing play for tonight, and I have no problem fading the Magic.
Lean: Thunder +2 (-110) -- Donnavan Smoot
You can find Donnavan Smoot’s full betting record here.
Brooklyn Nets vs. Memphis Grizzlies Prediction and Pick
At some point, the Grizzlies are going to run out of gas without Morant, and I think it may come tonight against the Nets.
Brooklyn has been playing really well lately, going 6-4 over its last 10 games and winning two straight heading into this matchup. The Nets have also been much better on the road (22-15 straight up) because they can actually have Irving play in those games.
Brooklyn is 11-8 against the spread as a road favorite this season, while Memphis is just 3-3 ATS as a home underdog.
I think this is a game where Durant and Irving can pull off the win, so I’ll back the Nets on the moneyline.
Lean: Nets Moneyline (-140) -- Peter Dewey
Find Peter Dewey’s full betting record in the NBA this season here.
Philadelphia 76ers vs. Los Angeles Lakers Prediction and Pick
The Lakers have shown some life over the last two games. They've beaten the Raptors and Cavaliers in the last week. LeBron James continues to score at an amazing rate and Russell Westbrook is beginning to look competent again. Yet, I'll only bet them against the spread if Harden and Embiid sit again.
Harden and Embiid sat out on Monday against the Heat, which means they should be ready for tonight's game. Doc Rivers has emphasized the importance of getting both of them some rest before the playoffs start. As Monday showed, Tyrese Maxey can hold down the fort while those two are out.
I'm waiting on the Lakers to revert back to the team they were just a week ago -- a dysfunctional team that quits when the lead gets above 12 points. If that version of the Lakers shows up tonight, this will be an easy win for the Sixers.
Nevertheless, it all depends on if their stars are going to suit up.
Lean: Sixers -8 if Harden and Embiid play; Lakers +8 if they rest -- Donnavan Smoot
Utah Jazz vs. Boston Celtics Prediction and Pick
This is an interesting matchup, as the against the spread trends don’t favor either team in this matchup.
Boston is just 13-19-1 against the spread as a home favorite while the Jazz are 2-3-1 against the spread as an away underdog this season.
Both of these teams have played well over their last 10 games, as the Celtics are fifth in offensive rating and eighth in defensive rating, and Utah is 11th and fifth in those categories over the same stretch.
Over the entire season, Boston is No. 1 in defensive rating and Utah is No. 1 in offensive rating. Strength on strength. This should be fun.
But, how should we bet on this game?
I don’t really have a strong take on a side, but I think the UNDER may be the play on Wednesday.
Utah has failed to clear this number in six of its last 11 games playing much softer defenses, and it is one of the best under teams in the NBA this season, going 38-32-2. As for Boston, it has gone 38-34-1 on unders this season.
I think this is going to be more of a defensive-orientated matchup than the total suggests.
Lean: UNDER 218 (-110) -- Peter Dewey