Top NBA Picks and Predictions for March 2 (Back Heat, Jazz, Pelicans and More on Wednesday)
BetSided's Peter Dewey and Donnavan Smoot are breaking down their favorite NBA plays on Wednesday night, and they've made a pick for each game.
Let's break down some of the top predictions for Wednesday's action, with all odds via WynnBET:
Miami Heat vs. Milwaukee Bucks Prediction and Pick
The Milwaukee Bucks have the best offensive rating over the last 10 games. However, the Heat have a better record, defensive and net rating than Milwaukee. The Heat are 9-1 in the last 10 games and are in a great rhythm.
The Bucks are 2-4 in their last six games and are 1-5 ATS in that span. Milwaukee is going to be okay when the playoffs roll around, but the Bucks are not on the Heat's level right now.
I'm going to take the aggressive play and bet Miami on the moneyline, but they are great play ATS. The Heat are 9-5 ATS this season as road underdog. Even without Kyle Lowry, the Heat deserve your confidence. They've played short-handed nearly all year long. This is not a new spot for the Heat, and I'll back them tonight.
Lean: Heat ML (+150) -- Donnavan Smoot
You can find Donnavan Smoot’s full betting record here.
Utah Jazz vs. Houston Rockets Prediction and Pick
There isn’t a team in the NBA worse against the spread on a back-to-back than the Houston Rockets, as they are just 1-7-1 ATS this season.
That sets up great for Utah, even on the road, as the Rockets blew a second quarter lead and were downed by double-digits against the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday night.
The Jazz have been playing well as of late, winning eight of their last nine games and covering in six of those contests with four wins by 15 or more points.
The Rockets are the worst defensive team in the NBA, and the Jazz have the best offensive rating in the NBA, so I expect Utah to be able to get whatever it wants on that end of the floor.
Houston has covered the spread just twice in its last 10 games, so I’ll lay the points with a significantly better Jazz team.
Lean: Jazz -14 (-110) -- Peter Dewey
Find Peter Dewey’s full betting record in the NBA this season here.
Charlotte Hornets vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Prediction and Pick
This game is a bit of a wait-and-see for me, as I think Cleveland is the right side as long as Garland is able to play.
The Cavs have struggled offensively out of the All-Star break with Garland out, but the All-Star guard can completely change the perception of this team when he’s in the lineup.
Charlotte, on the other hand, has been solid on the road this season, going 17-15-1 against the spread. The issue is, the Hornets have covered in just two of their last 11 games.
The Hornets have also fallen outside the top-10 in offense, and they’ll face a formidable Cavs unit that is fourth in the league in defensive rating. I’ll lean with Cleveland as long as Garland can play.
Lean: Cavs -3 (-110) -- Peter Dewey
Sacramento Kings vs. New Orleans Pelicans Prediction and Pick
The Pelicans have moved into the No.10 spot in the Western Conference after winning their last two games. Sacramento, even with Domantas Sabonis, can't seem to find wins.
The Pelicans are 6-4 in their last 10 and have been one of the top teams on both ends of floor in the last 10 games. They are fifth in offensive rating and 8th in net rating. New Orleans has gotten new life from the C.J. McCollum trade and the Kings won't be able to keep them down.
The Kings are 2-3 ATS in their last five games, while being 1-4 SU. Sacramento is 19th in the league in net rating over the last 10 games. The one win came against Oklahoma City, which doesn't give me much hope for their bout with the Pelicans.
New Orleans is 3-2 ATS, as well as straight up, covering in every game its won. With the Kings continuing to struggle against the rest of the West, I'll side with the Pelicans tonight.
Lean: Pelicans -6 (-110) -- Donnavan Smoot