We noticed each NBA finalists from final season open the 2022-23 marketing campaign with blowout wins on Tuesday night time. Is that a harbinger of issues to return within the following day’s motion?
Not so quick. With 24 groups making their season debuts on Wednesday, don’t be stunned to see a handful of plucky underdogs make a press release of their very own on the primary full day of regular-season hoops.
Right here’s how we’re betting Wednesday’s jam-packed slate, which ideas off at 7 p.m. ET:
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NBA Wednesday odds, picks, predictions (by way of BetMGM)
- Cavaliers +2.5 (-110) @ Raptors
- Spurs +1.5 (-120) vs. Hornets
- Mavericks +4.5 (-110) @ Suns
Raptors vs. Cavaliers (7:30 p.m. ET)
Each of those groups are drawing loads of reward amongst NBA intelligentsia, with each presenting as younger, talent-laden squads with a historical past of overachieving. But this can be a notably powerful matchup for the house favorites of their first sport of the season.
There’s quite a bit to love about Toronto, which received 48 video games final yr and threatened the 76ers within the first spherical. Nonetheless, the place’s the capturing? Fred VanVleet (37.7%) and Gary Trent (38.3%) have been the one quantity shooters to shoot 37 % or higher final yr from past the arc, and rising stars Scottie Barnes (30.1%) and Pascal Siakam (34.4%) may battle to attain if different groups don’t respect the Raptors’ exterior shooters.
That’s a troublesome strategy in opposition to this Cavaliers protection, which options elite rim safety with Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley anchoring top-of-the-line inside defenses within the NBA. With All-Star guards Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell flanking these two within the backcourt, it’s straightforward to see the Cavaliers beginning this season with one other run just like final yr.
Raptors vs. Cavaliers decide
Cavaliers +2.5 (BetMGM)
Spurs vs. Hornets (8:00 p.m. ET)
It’s exhausting to think about that the Hornets are favored to win any sport this season after the tumultuous offseason they’ve endured – one which seemingly will get worse by the day.
It began once they fired James Borrego after 4 seasons of mediocrity, just for substitute rent Kenny Atkinson to show down the job that finally went to former fired boss Steve Clifford. 5 days later, star ahead Miles Bridges turned the primary of three Hornets gamers – together with sixth man Montrezl Harrell and 2021 first-round decide James Bouknight – to be arrested within the span of fourth months main as much as the season.
Along with all that, star guard LaMelo Ball (ankle) received’t play in Wednesday’s opener. Since drafting Ball in 2020, Charlotte is 14-14 with a minus 1.2 internet ranking with out him on the court docket, and I don’t anticipate the sharpest efficiency from what’s left of this Hornets roster in opposition to a frisky Spurs squad on Wednesday.
Spurs vs. Hornets decide
Spurs +1.5 (BetMGM)
Suns vs. Mavericks (10:00 p.m. ET, ESPN)
The final time we noticed these two groups share the ground, the Mavericks ran the Suns out of their very own area with a 33-point Sport 7 win that wasn’t even that shut. What can we anticipate for an encore?
As a lot because the Suns could also be motivated by revenge right here, there are causes to be involved with this group. Their offseason began with heart Deandre Ayton signing with the Pacers, solely to be reluctantly dragged again to Phoenix alongside a bunch of younger teammates who have been all rumored to be in Kevin Durant commerce discussions. Then this group suffered a historic and embarrassing preseason loss to the Adelaide 36ers (these of the Nationwide Basketball League in Australia) earlier than longtime wing Jae Crowder held out in pursuit of a commerce of his personal.
There’s far much less drama with the Mavericks, who enter 2021-22 with surprisingly low expectations regardless of final yr’s run to the Western Convention Finals. Jalen Brunson is gone, however the crew added overqualified sixth man Christian Wooden as a talented huge man who may problem Phoenix’s all of the sudden undermanned frontcourt rotation on this one.
Suns vs. Mavericks decide
Mavericks +4.5 (BetMGM)
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