NBA predictions and picks today: Rockets vs. Clippers, Cavaliers vs. Celtics

We went 2-0 on our NBA bets towards the unfold on Tuesday, fading the completely dysfunctional Nets and cashing on the red-hot Suns, who appear like the most effective workforce in basketball a 12 months after posting the most effective file within the league.

Neither of these two groups is in motion on Wednesday. Nonetheless, there’s no scarcity of worth alternatives on the board, together with a trio of residence underdogs who aren’t getting sufficient respect from the betting market in winnable spots.

Right here’s how we're NBA betting Wednesday’s motion:

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NBA picks right now (by way of BetMGM)

  • Cavaliers +2.5 (-115) vs. Celtics
  • Rockets +5.5 (-105) vs. Clippers
  • Path Blazers +4.5 (-110) vs. Grizzlies
Jayson Tatum
Jayson Tatum
Getty Pictures

Cavaliers vs. Celtics prediction and evaluation

Are we certain the precise workforce is favored right here? Sure, the Celtics are coming off a visit to the Finals and entered this season because the title favorites, however the Cavaliers are those who've appeared like the category of the East by means of the primary two weeks of the season.

After dealing for star guard Donovan Mitchell this offseason, Cleveland has shocked the league with a 5-1 begin to the season, posting the NBA’s second-best internet score (+11.6) after 5 straight blowout wins. In some ways, this workforce is constructed like Boston: each personal among the many league’s slowest paces of play, rank within the high 4 in made threes and 3-point proportion, and boast top-five marks in offensive score,

The important thing distinction? The Cavs rank third in defensive score (105.3) behind the elite inside duo of Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley. In distinction, the Celtics rank twenty second (114.5) with out defensive anchor Robert Williams (knee), whose absence has compelled Boston to play small within the interim. That’s a tricky technique towards this supersized Cleveland lineup, which may simply spring the outright win on this one.

Cavaliers vs. Celtics decide

Cavaliers +2.5 (BetMGM)

Donovan Mitchell
Donovan Mitchell
NBAE by way of Getty Pictures

Rockets vs. Clippers prediction and evaluation

Haven’t we already seen this precise state of affairs play out? It was simply two days in the past that the Clippers had been dealing as sizable favorites over the Rockets regardless of being with out Kawhi Leonard (knee) for the fourth straight recreation and the fifth time in seven contests. Unsurprisingly, Houston battled all recreation and led within the remaining minutes earlier than Paul George gained it with six seconds left.

As soon as once more, oddsmakers are pricing Los Angeles as a gaudy favourite with Leonard nonetheless sidelined, which doesn’t make any sense given what we’ve seen so far. With out their star ahead, the Clippers have misplaced three of 5 video games with a internet score of -8.0, which might rank second-worst behind solely the Rockets (-9.1) throughout the total season.

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L.A. additionally has to cope with the absence of wing Robert Covington (sickness), who missed that slim win over Houston and the earlier 21-point loss to the Pelicans. This workforce merely isn’t proper as at the moment constructed, and it doesn’t deserve such respect within the betting market till that modifications.

Rockets vs. Clippers decide

Rockets +5.5 (BetMGM)

Anfernee Simons
Anfernee Simons
NBAE by way of Getty Pictures

Path Blazers vs. Grizzlies prediction and evaluation

It’s simple to write down off the Blazers with out All-NBA guard Damian Lillard (calf), but it surely’s exhausting to disregard simply how nicely they’ve performed en path to a 5-1 begin to the season – even with out their main scorer.

Portland has posted the league’s sixth-best internet score (+4.6) and is one among three groups to rank within the high 10 in offensive score (114.2) and defensive score (109.6). That’s a testomony to only how nicely the workforce’s younger items have come collectively up to now: fifth-year guard Anfernee Simons (20.5 PPG) has taken the leap many anticipated in an elevated position, whereas rookie Shaedon Sharpe (9.3) has been a revelation in restricted motion coming off three straight double-digit scoring outputs.

Each gamers have an opportunity to indicate out on nationwide TV towards a Grizzlies protection that ranks useless final in effectivity (119.5), particularly with defensive stalwarts Desmond Bane (ankle) and Steven Adams (jaw) doubtlessly becoming a member of middle Jaren Jackson Jr. (foot) on the bench. Ja Morant continues to be the most effective participant on the courtroom, however this surging Blazers squad is nicely definitely worth the factors and will threaten an outright upset at residence.

Path Blazers vs. Grizzlies decide

Path Blazers +4.5 (BetMGM)

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