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Wednesday’s NBA card is short and rather interesting, with injuries and various absences creating a ton of uncertainty. I’ve picked out a couple of bets I’m really into and will relay them to you now.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Boston Celtics (-5.5) Total: 216.5
I’m going to go back to the well here with the Celtics after they collapsed and crushed me on Monday. Why? Well, they are healthy, relative to today’s NBA, and they still have Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum healthy.
Brown’s return is a big one. With him on the floor, Boston is playing a full 10 points better per 100 possessions on defense this season according to NBA.com. While the Celtics’ biggest weakness on that end has been in the restricted area, where they were abused by Joel Embiid on Monday, they shouldn’t have to worry much considering Jarrett Allen, Evan Mobley and Isaac Okoro are all out.
Cleveland has covered in 14 straight games, but the injuries should just be too much to overcome here. Those three bigs are so important to the fabric of this Cleveland defense, and Lauri Markkanen and Kevin Love won’t be scoring a bunch inside.
In addition, the Celtics have gotten some huge minutes from Payton Pritchard over the last two games as he fills in for Josh Richardson. This is a well-oiled machine, and Boston picks up a huge home win here.
Edge: Celtics -5.5
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Los Angeles Clippers vs. Sacramento Kings (+5.5) Total: 219.5
I know what you’re thinking. Do I just bet the Clippers every single time they play?
No, but I am generally more bullish on this team than the market and most handicappers. The shooting is undeniable, as is the coaching. L.A. is also ranked fourth in defensive efficiency. This is a deep team, and one that can shoot and play defense, but it’s just struggled to find any sort of consistency this year.
Well, Paul George is back after a long absence and Serge Ibaka is, too. That makes the Clippers pretty healthy, like the Celtics, which should give them a clear edge here against a 27th-ranked Kings defense over the past 10 games.
Sacramento is missing essentially its entire frontcourt with Marvin Bagley and Alex Len in virus protocols and Richaun Holmes dealing with an injury. De’Aaron Fox and Davion Mitchell are also out in the backcourt. If the Kings were fully healthy, I’d still probably lay points with the Clippers here, but this is a no-brainer. There’s no way Sacramento will be able to stop L.A. from hitting threes — and I expect some positive regression after a dreadful shooting performance against San Antonio. Without Fox, the offense takes a huge hit, too.
Edge: Clippers -5.5
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