Top NBA Picks and Predictions Today (Fade Lakers, Trust Bucks to Cover and Hawks-Knicks Pick)
There are 11 NBA games on Wednesday night, giving basketball fans a plethora of matchups to enjoy.
The BetSided team has previews for every game, but we've got a few of our top picks curated for you below.
Atlanta Hawks vs. New York Knicks Odds, Prediction and Pick
The Knicks and Hawks have become an intriguing rivalry, mainly when Trae Young comes to Madison Square Garden, because of their playoff series two seasons ago.
Both teams look much different now with Brunson in New York and Dejounte Murray in Atlanta, but this should have the intensity of a playoff game.
The Knicks didn’t look good in their loss against the Milwaukee Bucks, and then they allowed 23 3-pointers in a loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday. Despite that, they should feel much more comfortable at home against a lesser team than the Bucks and Cavs, who are a combined 11-1 this season.
New York actually has a better net rating (12th) than Atlanta (17th) this season, and the Knicks have increased their pace of play in the 2022-23 campaign compared to last season.
Atlanta simply doesn’t cover in losses, so if you plan on betting on the Knicks in this game, back them to cover this short spread. After seeing how much better New York has been at home this season, I lean with the Knicks to win and cover on Wednesday night.
Last season, the Atlanta Hawks were 0-37 ATS in losses.
— Peter Dewey (@peterdewey2) October 31, 2022
They did not cover in a loss as an underdog all season.
They are now 0-2 ATS in losses this season and are 4-point dogs against the Raptors on Monday night.
Detroit Pistons vs. Milwaukee Bucks Odds, Prediction and Pick
The Pistons enjoyed an uncharacteristically sloppy performance from the Bucks in Monday's matchup. Giannis and Jrue Holiday both turned the ball over four times as Milwaukee gave it away 16 times in total. With how bad Detroit is defensively right now, I wouldn't count on that happening again.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is holding opponents to 32.2% from the field 🔒
— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) October 31, 2022
On the other side Giannis is averaging 34.4 PPG - 14.0 RPG - 5.8 APG - 60.4% FG with a 34.7 PER
By far the best two way player in the world pic.twitter.com/rkFeWop2ZY
Giannis is a verifiable force, one of the best players we've ever seen at the height of his powers. There's a reason the Bucks covered the spread in every game prior to Monday, after all.
Milwaukee is my pick to win the title, and it has done nothing to make me think otherwise. As long as the Bucks don't shoot 11-of-40 from 3-point range, like they did Monday, they should dominate the inferior Pistons.
Back the Bucks to pick up a commanding victory and cover the spread for the sixth time in seven games this season.
New Orleans Pelicans vs. Los Angeles Lakers Odds, Prediction and Pick
Even though the Lakers have the second-best defense in the league, they still have the worst offense in the NBA. We all know the problems they have. Los Angeles can’t shoot the ball, making just 29.6% of its 3-point shots this season. The Lakers shot 43.3% from 3 in their win against the Nuggets. That won’t happen again, which leads me to easily fade them.
New Orleans is still without Brandon Ingram and Herb Jones, but will be fine with Zion Williamson back in the lineup. The Pelicans are in the upper half of the league in defensive rating and top 3 in offensive rating.
The key for the Lakers’ entire season – and this game – will be how they shoot from 3. If they knock down shots, they can win. Without 3s, they will lose.
They haven’t shown the consistent ability to do that, so I’ll fade them.
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.