Hello sports fans. This Wednesday he is Chris Bengel back in your mailbox.
On Tuesday, the penultimate college football playoff rankings were released ahead of all conference title games across the country. It sets up a wild weekend of pigskins that you don’t want to miss. Utah is the only team to beat USC this season.
Anyway, enough about football. Let’s go to Hardwood’s Wednesday picks.
Always Eastern, all odds via Caesars Sportsbook
? Hot Ticket
Grizzlies at Timberwolves, 8 p.m. | Television: NBA.TV
Latest odds:
Memphis Grizzlies -2
- main trends: The Grizzlies are 11-5 ATS in their last 16 road games against teams they lost at home.
- Pick: Grizzlies -2.5 (-110)
The Timberwolves took a brutal blow on Monday when Karl-Anthony Towns suffered a calf strain. He’s set to be out of action for his six weeks from his four, and with the star big man set to be out of the lineup, he’s confident to run with the Grizzlies here.
The Grizzlies are also dealing with the injury bug, with star guard Desmond Bain out of the lineup due to a toe injury. , doing well. Star guard Ja Morant has scored at least 23 points in four of the Grizzlies’ last five games, and has had no trouble carrying the scoring load in Bain’s absence, including a 2-point 30-point performance during that time. I’m here.
Morant could be even more aggressive without Towns occupying the paint, and Rudy Gobert is the only “Twin Towers” he has to contend with. Despite being absent, the Grizzlies are still one of the most dangerous offensive units in the NBA. Memphis is currently averaging 115.7 points per game (9th in the NBA) and his shooting percentage is 36.3% (12th in the NBA). Despite Towns and Gobert in the frontcourt, the Timberwolves are giving up 116.0 points for the year, which is 23rd in the league.
? Other NBA Picks
Raptors at Pelicans, 8 p.m. | Television: NBA.TV
Latest odds:
less than 221.5
The Pick: Less than 223.0 points (-110): — The Pelicans are one of the league’s top-scoring teams, and the Raptors recently got a big boost with the return of star forward Pascal Siakam. But Under is still the way to go in Wednesday’s contest.
The Pelicans are averaging 116.7 points per game, fifth in the NBA. New Orleans also ranks fifth in the league with a 37.6% clip in which he shoots three. This is not surprising considering he has five players who have shot over 36.0%. But the real reason I support Under is because on Wednesday the Pelicans will be without Brandon Ingram (toes), CJ McCallum (conditioning per COVID-19 protocols) and Naj Marshall (ill). It’s hard to know where the points come from.
In his first game back from a groin injury, Siakam scored 18 points and had 11 rebounds in just 30 minutes. However, it’s unclear if he still continues the time limit.
main trends: The Under are 7-1 in the Pelicans’ last eight home games.
Wizards at Nets, 7:30 PM | Television: NBA.TV
Pick: Bradley Beal over 22.5 points (-137): — The Nets are one of the poorest teams when it comes to three defenses. That’s why I’m confident Wizards star guard Bradley Beal will hit his prop on points here.
The Nets defended three in 28th place and their opponents shot 38.0% from across the arc. Coming into Wednesday, Beal is shooting 37.8% of his from long range. Additionally, the Wizards’ guard has scored at least 23 points in five of their last six games. Beal also drilled multiple threes in four of those six contests during that stretch. The Nets’ defensive flaws will probably get better when trying to defend a three-time All-Star.
main trends: Beal has scored at least 23 goals in five of his last six games.