Eleven NBA games on Wednesday, and a Game Pick on every one. Three get the full treatment: Giannis’s home debut in Miami, Flagg against Durant in Houston, and Steph against Luka in LA.
How we pick NBA games right now: last season’s scoring margins plus two points for home court, compared with the board. A lot of rosters changed this summer, so these are leans. When a star missed last season and is back, like Tyrese Haliburton, the number doesn’t know it, and we go with the board. Every pick lands on the receipts page win or lose.
Hawks at Magic, 7:00 PM ET
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Atlanta went 46-36 and was the better team by about two points a game last season. Orlando is without Anthony Black and Jonathan Isaac. Hawks and the points.
Bucks at Wizards, 7:00 PM ET
Washington went 17-65 last season, and four and a half is a lot to lay for a team that lost that much. Giannis is in Miami now, so the Bucks are rebuilding too, but I’ll take the points.
Timberwolves at Heat, 7:30 PM ET
Giannis debuts at home, and Anthony Edwards gets the point and a half. Full write-up: Timberwolves vs Heat picks.
Hornets at Nets, 7:30 PM ET
Charlotte went 44-38 and Brooklyn went 20-62, and that gap is huge. Kon Knueppel, Coby White and Grant Williams are all out tonight, and Charlotte is still a short favorite. Hornets, even short-handed.
Bulls at Raptors, 7:30 PM ET
Kawhi Leonard is in Toronto now, and Chicago is without Nic Claxton. Raptors laying it at home.
Jazz at Grizzlies, 8:00 PM ET
Two rebuilding teams, and Memphis was the better one by about two points a game last season. Grizzlies at home.
Pacers at Pelicans, 8:00 PM ET
Indiana went 19-63, but Tyrese Haliburton missed all of last season and he’s back. Our numbers don’t know that, so this one goes with the board, even with T.J. McConnell and Aaron Nesmith out tonight. Pacers.
Mavericks at Rockets, 8:30 PM ET
A 52-win team at home against a 26-win team. Full write-up: Mavericks vs Rockets picks.
Warriors at Lakers, 10:00 PM ET
Steph gets six and a half against Luka. Full write-up: Warriors vs Lakers picks.
Suns at Trail Blazers, 10:00 PM ET
Portland lost Shaedon Sharpe to a torn meniscus, and these two were even last season. Suns and the points.
Kings at Clippers, 10:30 PM ET
The Clippers are banged up, with Brandon Ingram and Bradley Beal out, but Sacramento went 22-60 and is missing Ben Simmons, Maxime Raynaud and maybe Malik Monk. Clippers at home.
Lines as posted Wednesday at 4:56 PM ET, after the Wednesday injury check.
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Picks are opinion and analysis, not financial advice. Odds move; confirm at the book.